Sent: Mon, June 28, 2010 8:44:54 AM
Subject: HOLLLAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dad, I read your email and you are so hilarious!!! YES! God does answer prayers!!! Despite erupting volcanoes, hurricanes, and tropical storms, haha. My mission president literally told us flat out that we are not to be wandering these mountains by ourselves in the dark!!!! I know Heavenly Father told President Baldwin to tell us that so my daddy could go to sleep at night!!! PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED!!! Hallelujah!!!! haha. Its soooo true!! And yes, we are being obedient!!!!! Promise.
Ok as for this week, it has just been WORK, WORK, WORK!! We have been going loco for missionary work and I think we will start to see the fruits really soon! YESTERDAY, we contacted into this GOLDEN family! OH MY GOSHHHHH I am SOOOOOOO excited. I got goosebumps because it literally was like we hit megabucks!! This family has 8 children and they are just soooo cute! We contacted the dad on the street and he told us we could come over. Told us where he lived and we had been looking for this house, but couldn’t find it. Finally by just asking around and looking looking, looking, we found the house, but the parents weren’t home. boo. We went back yesterday and the dad was home with some of the kids so they let us in. We go in and sit down and like magic the mom comes walking in with the rest of the family!!! We stood up greeted them gave them hugs and the whole family just gathered around us on the floor and we taught them!!!!!!!!!!! AHHAHAHAHAHAH Silent screams!! Seriously!! This family is golden.
There is a different feeling in that house. You can feel it and I am just so excited. The lesson went well. It wasn’t like a slam dunk they are converted or anything, but it was fun. They were all listening and we could all just laugh and have a good time with each other. I don’t know the family just has a real light sense of humor which is sooo nice because we can all smoke and joke with each other. It’s also fun because the dad is from el Salvador and my comp is from El Salvador and they love Hawaii and I don’t know they for some reason think me and my comp are really funny so we could just laugh and have a good time. We asked them if we could come back and they said OF COURSE...When___ And so we are going back this week. The problem will be that the mom and dad work A LOT. All the time so it is hard to find a time when the WHOLE family will be together. I don’t know. We are praying, praying, praying. They are the familia Perez Duarte.....Everyone pray for this family too!!!!!
Remember prayer works!! AHAHAHAH!! IT is soooo exciting. They have SOOOO much potential, but it is not going to be easy. I know that. So yes, that is the most exciting thing right now. Oh we also have another lady that we found. We set a baptism date with her and she is really nice. Positive. Everything! But she is not married and she lives with her man. And her boo we don’t really know anything about because he works in the capital and is never there. He comes home once every 15 days, but she never knows when he will be back. Something tells me he is fishy because 1. Don’t want to judge but he is Guatemalan and works away from his family. These men ill tell you, I don’t know if it’s possible that he truly is faithful to his wife and kids and 2. When Eva talks about her husband she always sounds a little uneasy. SO we are hoping for the best, but the only thing holding her back is if her husband wants to get married. I don’t know. We´ll see....but she is sooo nice, positive, fulfills her commitments and always has really good questions and insights....pilas!!!! I also know she is chosen because we had a really good lesson with her and when we left, I don’t know what happened but I just started to feel really sick. I barfed in the street 5 times!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was disgusting!!!!!!! But after that I wasn’t sick. I don’t feel sick now. I don’t know what happened but I would just walk bleeehhh. Walk some more, blehhhhh. My poor comp! We went home, but after I was fine. So I don’t know!!! All I could think was Yep!! Eva is chosen!!
Things like that happen when you are getting closer to something good!!!!!!! So yes.......the mission has been going great. This week just seriously flew. I am trying to think of what else happened and it just seems like one blur. But it was good!!!!!!!!!!!!! Teaching, walking, hiking, swimming, teaching, contacting, barfing, booing......allll day loooong! This week my comp and I hit a record high on lessons. We taught 33, and found a bunch of nuevos. Our district leader was like waaaaaaaa because we had a lot of meetings too and majority of the lessons from our entire district were from us. haha. But really we have just been working working, working, working. Its a great feeling. Oh yeah, we have been doing a lot of service too! Let me tell you Guatemalan service is something else. I am so grateful for my comp because I don’t think I could do it!
Yesterday, one of our investigators her wall fell down. IT was crazy!! Not her whole wall, but she lives in a little tin shack and one of her walls, the top tin fell down!!!! We walked in like Whaaaaat the heck. So we helped her put her house together. Thank goodness for my comp because I sure didn’t know what to do, but my comp just got a hammer and we went around asking for some nails and we just nailed her house back together!!!!!!!! What the.....I pretty much just held the tin there while my comp started hammering away!!! Loco. It seems like I am worthless here because a lot of this stuff I sure as heck have no idea what to do!!!!!! loco. Crazy too I was holding the tin and we saw these rats coming in and out of the house. It was disgusting. Then we helped clean this house of this blind lady and uhhhhhhhh I cannot even tell you how disgusting it was. I feel bad because this lady is blind and sick so she can’t do anything, but oh man!!!!! I shake thinking about it. Thank goodness for my comp! That’s all I can say because she just jumps right in there so I just follow her. But ushhshs. I showered for like 2 hours that night. I can’t even adequately express. Rats, spiders, cockroaches, dirty dishes soaking in NASTY water that must’ve been there for who knows how long......just NASTTTYYYYYY! But it is an experience.
I never thought I would say it but it actually is really fun. At first, all this freaked me out, but I am learning that when you serve others, you really are happy. The mission is weird but you feel the lowest lows and the highest highs. But the highs are AMAZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! Some of the greatest experiences you can have. I truly can say that I am having joy and everyday just learning to count my blessings, love everyone, and be grateful!!!!!!!! I go home everyday thinking DANNNNGG! I am BLESSED!!!!!!! And i just get on my knees and literally cry and thank Heavenly Father for everything I have. Honestly, I cannot even believe it. How much we have and how blessed my life has been. IT is incomprehensible. And it makes me soooo happy to be here and realize that and everyday wake up and be able to just give myself and help and serve and love others. My mission has been great!!!! Crazy, but great. It is a chance of a lifetime and I am so grateful for everyone and for all the support you have given me. The church is TRUE!!!! Heavenly Father lives and loves and YES! He does answer prayers....thats what makes it all worth it! Prestos Todos PRestos......The church is true!!!!
With all my love, Ali or Hermana g!!!!!!!
Hermana Alise Rei Kahululani Garcia served in the Guatemala City Central Mission March 2010 - September 2011 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
First Companion MTC and CCM, Hermana Williams
June 23, 2010 No Singing in the Shower and Other Concerns
Sent: Wed, June 23, 2010 8:40:37 AM
Subject: HOLLAAAA FAMILIA!!!!!!
Hola!!!!!!!! Can I just say I almost died laughing when I found out that Mom already met sister Buterbaugh!!! How do you do it, mom____ I was like That is seriously soo mom. I would not expect anything less!!! haha. But that is so cool. We really did have such a good change together....Crazy! But good!! That is hilarious though. I sent pictures home yesterday so you should be getting them soon. Oh Guate!! It really is an adventure of a lifetime. As for my bed, these bugs are ruthless. I am getting eaten alive, but by some miracle things are settling down. I honestly believe Heavenly Father is blessing me because I didn’t trade my bed with Hermana Angel. haha. I had the opportunity to and it did cross my mind, but I thought that would be really mean because I KNOW there is funky stuff in my bed and that she would get eaten alive and I didn’t want that to happen to her so I stayed and for that I think the Lord is blessing me. He does that!!!!!! I still have bites, but now I can actually sleep through the night and they aren’t sore!! I have less and less each day. So again, I testify to love!!!!
I just saw Hermana Baldwin yesterday. President and Sister Baldwin came to Chimaltenango and let me just say our mission is going crazy!! They talked to us and layed down the law because a couple of missionaries got TYPHOIDS!!!! Yeeks!! They reinforced that we MUST wash everything with Clorox and there’s just a lot more health restrictions. It’s scary. Typhoid is alive and thriving in Guatemala especially during the raining season because of how high the rain is there’s a lot of sewage spillage and weird funk in the water so its just bad news. So Hermana Baldwin just told us flat out the rules!. It was funny too because one of the rules she told us was NO SINGING IN THE SHOWER!! And she looked right at me. I was like daaanng how does she know I do that!!!!__ She said if its a habit, tape your mouth shut before showering and I swear she was staring right at me. It was hilarious. But yeah, the mission rules are getting more strict because of all the health problems and weird stuff going on in Guate. We´re not even allowed to wear contacts anymore which I am really sad about because a couple missionaries just got sent home for eye problems. I don’t know if they went blind or what, but i know it was pretty serious that they couldn’t treat it here and had to go home. They will have permanent eye damage so we at least for now are not allowed to wear contacts. Sucks, but if it will keep me from going blind, esta bien!! I just wish now that I didn’t bring so much contacts and that i bought more than one pair of glasses. EEEEEE!!
I also had an interview with President and I just think he is hilarious. He is an army man and is really strict and the most serious man ever...more scary than presidente Dupont.....haha. Maybe not! But he just makes me laugh and get really giddy, it is weird. But I think we have a good relationship. I think President loves me. He tries not to smile, laugh or show emotion. I’m trying to soften him up, but I know inside he loves me!!! haha. He asked me flat out, tell me What is going on in Chimaltenango. How are things.....So we talked and I told him and he is just concerned about our safety because of the lighting and that it’s really solo so now he doesn’t want us out when it’s dark!!!! He was like don’t be stupid!! I want you in your apts early!!! Be smart and don’t take chances! I was like YES, President!
So we have been coming home early now, but I am MORE tired because now I wake up at like 5ish 530 so I can do my studying in the morning so we can leave earlier and come back earlier as well so we don’t lose time and boy I have felt it. We come home and I literally just faint because I am SOOO tired. It’s crazy. WE are working so hard. Just going, going, going tiring to find, find, find and make the most out of our day. When I come home, I literally feel like I’m going to faint I can honestly say I am leaving it in the field!! haha. It’s crazy. But I like it this way! We leave at nine and return at like 7 so well see how that works. But yeah, don’t worry about me. I am being more careful with safety and health. President and Sister Baldwin came and really laid it out. IT was good. They also said that they have just been swarmed with phone calls from worried parents and emails etc...And I was so SURPRISED to find out that it wasn’t from my parents!! WOW!! My parents have such faith!!! haha. Really though, don’t worry. We are surviving and doing our best. PLEASE still pray for me because I need it, but everything right now is great!! Thank you for everything!!!
On to the update of the area....Like I said we have just been working working, working like locos!!!! Hermana Angel is awesome. I love her and we get along great! I’m talking Spanish ALLL DAY.....oh shnaaaap and I can feel myself improving everyday! It’s wonderful to actually feel the Lord helping you each day!! I am having conversations on things other than the Atonement or the Plan of Salvation.....YEAYYAYAYAYA!!! It’s amazing. We were in a meeting and I was TALKING and saying stuff....and Hermana Angel looked at me and smiled because it was a milestone. And I was like Uh oh....Ali’s learning Spanish....eeeehahahhaahhaa! WATCH OUT GUATEMALA!!!! haha. I’m still not there yet, but I definitely am improving in my communication abilities which feel so good. We set another baptism date with an investigator named Hilda which I am excited for and set a more solid one with Angelina. Ohhh Angelina!!!! So me and Buterbaugh started teaching her but she ran into some problems and at the end of the change she didn’t seem to positive. We had doubts about her but she is turning around and stronger than ever. So she was supposed to get baptized a while ago but had worthiness problems. She liked the church and came a bunch of times but we always went over to pick her up and brought her to church. She didn’t show up to her interviews and when we tried to see if shed come to church on her own, she flaked. Things with her were just not good. So the Monday after she flaked for church, me and Hermana Angel went over and just had a heart to heart with her. We were just like diganos!!!!! What the heck is your problem-- In the most loving way of course....and she just started crying and told us about the guilt she feels and how she doesn’t feel worthy doesn’t want to have her interview and blah, blah, blah.....But it was so good because we could just be real with her and have a heart to heart and talk about you know that’s why you NEEEED to get baptized and we talked about the atonement and we were all crying because it was so spiritual. And this week she has been solid!!! Sunday was the test of faith. We were going to see again if she would come to church without us going to get her. We passed by early in the morning to just see her but she wasn’t there so we were worried but she told us the day before she was going to come....We went to the chapel and I just stared at the door the whole time and at about 920 I see her walk in with her kids and I could have died of happiness. Me and Hermana Angel were like YESSSSS and started hugging. It gets better though we asked her where she was in the morning and she told us that she had to leave her house at 5 am. She woke up at 4 because she didn’t have clothes so she had to travel far to go wash her clothes so she could have clothes to wear to church!! OH MYYYY!! She woke up at 4 walked miles with a bucket on her head all so she could go to church!!! And let me tell you this walk is FAR!!! And she has kids. What faith!!!!!! IT gets better though. We go over the next Monday and she has this huge smile on her face....which never ever happens. And she told us that she woke up happier than ever. She doesn’t know why she said. But, of course we do!! And she went to go sell clothes in the morning....that’s what she does for a living. She walks door to door and sales used clothes and she was able to sale!! So she had money to buy food that day!! She bought a bunch of bread that was sitting on the table and she bought us Pêpsi to drink!!!!! Everything she had she shared with us!!! And just said she was just soooo happy!
Oh my gooodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPINESS!!!!! I can’t even tell you!!! The Lord provides!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah man, I was soooo happy and it was just a testimony to me that when we do what the Lord asks, HE pours out His blessings upon us!! The cool thing about serving here is that you literally SEE that!! These people can actually SEE that in their lives. The Lord blesses. He provides. HE takes care of those who obey and love Him. I love Heavenly Father!!!!!!!!!! And I am just so grateful that I can serve him and give my life everyday to helping others receive His blessings. Happiest missionary yet!!!! The church is TRUE. Miracles happen. Look for them because they are there!!! With all my heart, I love you allllllllll! Thanks for EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Prestos Todos Prestos......The church is TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ps BEST day ever....I got two packages when Pres came!!! Thank you thank yo thank you for the cookies mom and dad. I cried I was sooooo happy. Seriously you will never know how much that means! I was soooooo happy. And Auntie Grace and Papa Geo, Thank you for the Prunes......much needed. ‘nough said. I was so happy. REally family, thanks for everything. I am crying because honestly the support at this time of my life means the world!!!!! I love you alllllll!!!!!!!!!!!! Auntie Reenie and grandma, Thank you for your words of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Auntie Reenie, I was laughing so hard when I read your letter I fell out of my chair. Hilarious. Brothers, be good! I love you! Daddy and Mommy, go to sleep! I am fine. I promise. The church is true!!! I love you alll with all my heart. Thanks again for everything!
pss Dad, can I use my credit card here___I need a new umbrella!!!
Love,
Hermana Ali
Subject: HOLLAAAA FAMILIA!!!!!!
Hola!!!!!!!! Can I just say I almost died laughing when I found out that Mom already met sister Buterbaugh!!! How do you do it, mom____ I was like That is seriously soo mom. I would not expect anything less!!! haha. But that is so cool. We really did have such a good change together....Crazy! But good!! That is hilarious though. I sent pictures home yesterday so you should be getting them soon. Oh Guate!! It really is an adventure of a lifetime. As for my bed, these bugs are ruthless. I am getting eaten alive, but by some miracle things are settling down. I honestly believe Heavenly Father is blessing me because I didn’t trade my bed with Hermana Angel. haha. I had the opportunity to and it did cross my mind, but I thought that would be really mean because I KNOW there is funky stuff in my bed and that she would get eaten alive and I didn’t want that to happen to her so I stayed and for that I think the Lord is blessing me. He does that!!!!!! I still have bites, but now I can actually sleep through the night and they aren’t sore!! I have less and less each day. So again, I testify to love!!!!
I just saw Hermana Baldwin yesterday. President and Sister Baldwin came to Chimaltenango and let me just say our mission is going crazy!! They talked to us and layed down the law because a couple of missionaries got TYPHOIDS!!!! Yeeks!! They reinforced that we MUST wash everything with Clorox and there’s just a lot more health restrictions. It’s scary. Typhoid is alive and thriving in Guatemala especially during the raining season because of how high the rain is there’s a lot of sewage spillage and weird funk in the water so its just bad news. So Hermana Baldwin just told us flat out the rules!. It was funny too because one of the rules she told us was NO SINGING IN THE SHOWER!! And she looked right at me. I was like daaanng how does she know I do that!!!!__ She said if its a habit, tape your mouth shut before showering and I swear she was staring right at me. It was hilarious. But yeah, the mission rules are getting more strict because of all the health problems and weird stuff going on in Guate. We´re not even allowed to wear contacts anymore which I am really sad about because a couple missionaries just got sent home for eye problems. I don’t know if they went blind or what, but i know it was pretty serious that they couldn’t treat it here and had to go home. They will have permanent eye damage so we at least for now are not allowed to wear contacts. Sucks, but if it will keep me from going blind, esta bien!! I just wish now that I didn’t bring so much contacts and that i bought more than one pair of glasses. EEEEEE!!
I also had an interview with President and I just think he is hilarious. He is an army man and is really strict and the most serious man ever...more scary than presidente Dupont.....haha. Maybe not! But he just makes me laugh and get really giddy, it is weird. But I think we have a good relationship. I think President loves me. He tries not to smile, laugh or show emotion. I’m trying to soften him up, but I know inside he loves me!!! haha. He asked me flat out, tell me What is going on in Chimaltenango. How are things.....So we talked and I told him and he is just concerned about our safety because of the lighting and that it’s really solo so now he doesn’t want us out when it’s dark!!!! He was like don’t be stupid!! I want you in your apts early!!! Be smart and don’t take chances! I was like YES, President!
So we have been coming home early now, but I am MORE tired because now I wake up at like 5ish 530 so I can do my studying in the morning so we can leave earlier and come back earlier as well so we don’t lose time and boy I have felt it. We come home and I literally just faint because I am SOOO tired. It’s crazy. WE are working so hard. Just going, going, going tiring to find, find, find and make the most out of our day. When I come home, I literally feel like I’m going to faint I can honestly say I am leaving it in the field!! haha. It’s crazy. But I like it this way! We leave at nine and return at like 7 so well see how that works. But yeah, don’t worry about me. I am being more careful with safety and health. President and Sister Baldwin came and really laid it out. IT was good. They also said that they have just been swarmed with phone calls from worried parents and emails etc...And I was so SURPRISED to find out that it wasn’t from my parents!! WOW!! My parents have such faith!!! haha. Really though, don’t worry. We are surviving and doing our best. PLEASE still pray for me because I need it, but everything right now is great!! Thank you for everything!!!
On to the update of the area....Like I said we have just been working working, working like locos!!!! Hermana Angel is awesome. I love her and we get along great! I’m talking Spanish ALLL DAY.....oh shnaaaap and I can feel myself improving everyday! It’s wonderful to actually feel the Lord helping you each day!! I am having conversations on things other than the Atonement or the Plan of Salvation.....YEAYYAYAYAYA!!! It’s amazing. We were in a meeting and I was TALKING and saying stuff....and Hermana Angel looked at me and smiled because it was a milestone. And I was like Uh oh....Ali’s learning Spanish....eeeehahahhaahhaa! WATCH OUT GUATEMALA!!!! haha. I’m still not there yet, but I definitely am improving in my communication abilities which feel so good. We set another baptism date with an investigator named Hilda which I am excited for and set a more solid one with Angelina. Ohhh Angelina!!!! So me and Buterbaugh started teaching her but she ran into some problems and at the end of the change she didn’t seem to positive. We had doubts about her but she is turning around and stronger than ever. So she was supposed to get baptized a while ago but had worthiness problems. She liked the church and came a bunch of times but we always went over to pick her up and brought her to church. She didn’t show up to her interviews and when we tried to see if shed come to church on her own, she flaked. Things with her were just not good. So the Monday after she flaked for church, me and Hermana Angel went over and just had a heart to heart with her. We were just like diganos!!!!! What the heck is your problem-- In the most loving way of course....and she just started crying and told us about the guilt she feels and how she doesn’t feel worthy doesn’t want to have her interview and blah, blah, blah.....But it was so good because we could just be real with her and have a heart to heart and talk about you know that’s why you NEEEED to get baptized and we talked about the atonement and we were all crying because it was so spiritual. And this week she has been solid!!! Sunday was the test of faith. We were going to see again if she would come to church without us going to get her. We passed by early in the morning to just see her but she wasn’t there so we were worried but she told us the day before she was going to come....We went to the chapel and I just stared at the door the whole time and at about 920 I see her walk in with her kids and I could have died of happiness. Me and Hermana Angel were like YESSSSS and started hugging. It gets better though we asked her where she was in the morning and she told us that she had to leave her house at 5 am. She woke up at 4 because she didn’t have clothes so she had to travel far to go wash her clothes so she could have clothes to wear to church!! OH MYYYY!! She woke up at 4 walked miles with a bucket on her head all so she could go to church!!! And let me tell you this walk is FAR!!! And she has kids. What faith!!!!!! IT gets better though. We go over the next Monday and she has this huge smile on her face....which never ever happens. And she told us that she woke up happier than ever. She doesn’t know why she said. But, of course we do!! And she went to go sell clothes in the morning....that’s what she does for a living. She walks door to door and sales used clothes and she was able to sale!! So she had money to buy food that day!! She bought a bunch of bread that was sitting on the table and she bought us Pêpsi to drink!!!!! Everything she had she shared with us!!! And just said she was just soooo happy!
Oh my gooodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPINESS!!!!! I can’t even tell you!!! The Lord provides!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah man, I was soooo happy and it was just a testimony to me that when we do what the Lord asks, HE pours out His blessings upon us!! The cool thing about serving here is that you literally SEE that!! These people can actually SEE that in their lives. The Lord blesses. He provides. HE takes care of those who obey and love Him. I love Heavenly Father!!!!!!!!!! And I am just so grateful that I can serve him and give my life everyday to helping others receive His blessings. Happiest missionary yet!!!! The church is TRUE. Miracles happen. Look for them because they are there!!! With all my heart, I love you allllllllll! Thanks for EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Prestos Todos Prestos......The church is TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ps BEST day ever....I got two packages when Pres came!!! Thank you thank yo thank you for the cookies mom and dad. I cried I was sooooo happy. Seriously you will never know how much that means! I was soooooo happy. And Auntie Grace and Papa Geo, Thank you for the Prunes......much needed. ‘nough said. I was so happy. REally family, thanks for everything. I am crying because honestly the support at this time of my life means the world!!!!! I love you alllllll!!!!!!!!!!!! Auntie Reenie and grandma, Thank you for your words of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Auntie Reenie, I was laughing so hard when I read your letter I fell out of my chair. Hilarious. Brothers, be good! I love you! Daddy and Mommy, go to sleep! I am fine. I promise. The church is true!!! I love you alll with all my heart. Thanks again for everything!
pss Dad, can I use my credit card here___I need a new umbrella!!!
Love,
Hermana Ali
June 16, 2010 Change Onencheck and I SURVIVEEEEDDDDD!
To: Lisa Garcia
Sent: Wed, June 16, 2010 8:52:00 AM
Hola!!!!!! Change oneÑcheck! And all I gotta say is......I SURVIVVEEEEDDDDDDD!!!!! I SURVIVED! I SURVIVED! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Shame the devil! haha. Looking back at these six weeks it has been one CRAZY CRAZY adventure. It really doesnt seem real. It’s like one big dream, but I survived! And I am so excited and pumped for this next change. One down, ten more to go....not like I am counting! haha. No I really am excited for this new change. I think it is going to be great!
I am still in Chimaltenango.....yaaaaaaayyyy! Have you watched the movie on Chimaltenango, yet&& Please watch it! And then think of me!! haha. Its sooo funny! You will laugh. Everyday I walk out of my apartment like…What the heeecckkk....Where am I.....Oh yeah! Guatemala! Chimals definitely been an adventure, but I am soooo grateful to be serving here!!! Honestly the Mountains are the coveted spot in the mish. This is where everyone wants to serve and I am so lucky that I get to serve here so early in my mission. We went to change meeting yesterday and I really just thought Wow! I am so lucky to be in the mountains! The city is like a more ghetto version of Long Beach...forget that! And the coast....a big Heck to the no! I told you about the coast. It’s crazy. And Since its rainy season the coast is also dealing with dengue problems and a whole bunch of funk! All I could think was Thank Goodness I am in the Mountains!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! I mean I get to serve among the real Guatemalans. They still wear the typical clothing, walk miles to get wood and water, don’t read, write, nothing. It’s just GUATEMALA. And it is an experience. Last week, we saw this lady bringing wood to her house. They travel soooo far to get this wood and they bring it in wheelbarrows. This is how they cook their food. Can you believe that? So me and Hermana Buterbaugh offered to help her push the wheelbarrow and carry the wood into her house. Oh my gosh, it was soooo embarrassing!!!! These wheel barrows are misleading. They seem so easy to push...but NO! I take the wheel barrow and it just starts going crazy. I was Woooww, Wowww, Wowwwww and it just starts shaking and all the wood was like falling out! Oh man! I was like what the heecckk? So the lady just laughed and took back the wheelbarrow and we helped her set up her wood for her fire. But I could not believe how hard it was just to push that thing and they do it with a HUGE bucket on their head....I mean HUGE because they go wash their clothes at the same time in I don’t know where but they travel far AND they also all have a baby strapped to their back And they don’t wear shoes!!!! IT seriously is IMPOSSIBLE! I have NO idea how they do it!! Really. It’s crazy. But this is the kind of people you teach here and it is AMAZING!!!
I am just in awe everyday at how blessed I am and how easy our lives are! I just gotta drop to my knees and say THANK YOU!! Because I KNOW that I could never ever survive living like this. Heck I’m only here for 18 months and it is rough!! The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I just can’t imagine. But I am getting used to it and I really do feel so grateful to be here!! I won’t lie, my mission so far has been rough, crazy, hard, hard, hard...But that’s what makes it great!! With the help of the Lord, I am finding that I can do things I never thought I could do. My mission is stretching me in every way possible. Everything that would be hard for me, I am having to deal with now. And it is rough and straight up sucks sometimes. I’m not going to lie I have questioned many times if mission calls are truly inspired and I told my comp to hide all hammers or anything that I could break my legs with from me because ¨Dallas Texas BEST Mission EVER!!!¨¨ haha. I know exactly what she means. haha. But the longer I am here and the more I am learning the more I KNOW that this is where I need to be. The truth is that Heavenly Father knows us more than we know ourselves. And this is teaching me humility like I never wanted to know and just that we need to rely on the Lord. When I survive Guatemala, I will know that it truly is only through the help wisdom, mercy and strength of the Lord because this should be Impossible!!!! The church is TRUE! I know that because I´m the missionary HE has sent and the church is still growing! Really. It is incredible. My testimony on that has grown so much!!! I’m learning more about myself each day and I have a testimony that honestly through the Lord, we can do all things. I believe! And testify to Love!!!
Bueno!! So yes I am still fighting and in good spirits! Oh my comp..... her name is Hermana Angel from El Salvador! She is Pilas and I loooove her!! The funny thing is we actually were in the CCM together. We both only have one change in the mission field. Oh no!! haha. We were both shocked when we found out wed be together. We are both babies, but I am grateful to be with her because we get along great and she’s pilas. We were friends in the ccm so its just fun. The only scary thing is like I said we both don’t have a lot of experience...one change! And she’s in my area so I’m supposed to be the one showing her the area which is scary because in Chimal things get a little crazy!!! But we are learning together and I am excited, I know President is an inspired man and even though we’re young and in a more difficult area, we can do great things. Time in the mish don’t mean nothing! haha. IT will be great! But it is definitely different. I am doing everything like a Latina now. Yesterday, I hand washed clothes with her in our pila, and this morning we made beans and fried platanos for breakfast, and for the past couple of days I have only spoken Spanish!!!! It’s so much fun though. I miss Buterbaugh and cried because we got along so well and there is no way I could of made it through the craziness of last change without her, but I am excited for this change. I know it will be great!
Anyways family, your daughter is surviving! Please continue to pray for me because OHH I need it! But don’t worry about me. I’m in the Lords hands. HE knows what He’s doing and all is well. Oh yeah, I went to the doctor and had funky stuff growing in my stomach so I’m on meds to kill it....that would explain the boo and nausea...yikes!! But it is going away and I’m grateful they caught it early. And I am getting eaten alive by bugs and it is cold now! Craziness never ends. But consider the alternatives. It could be Dengue in the coast or snow in Russia....So I will testify to love and say Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord! Shame the devil!!!!! The church is true which makes EVERYTHING worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all with all my heart! Don’t worry about me, I am okaaay!! When we get a chance to leave here I will send you pictures. WE don’t have a mail place here so I gotta wait til pday when we can leave!!! But I love youuuuu allll soooooooooo much!!! Prestos todos prestos......The church is TRUE!!!
Sent: Wed, June 16, 2010 8:52:00 AM
Hola!!!!!! Change oneÑcheck! And all I gotta say is......I SURVIVVEEEEDDDDDDD!!!!! I SURVIVED! I SURVIVED! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Shame the devil! haha. Looking back at these six weeks it has been one CRAZY CRAZY adventure. It really doesnt seem real. It’s like one big dream, but I survived! And I am so excited and pumped for this next change. One down, ten more to go....not like I am counting! haha. No I really am excited for this new change. I think it is going to be great!
I am still in Chimaltenango.....yaaaaaaayyyy! Have you watched the movie on Chimaltenango, yet&& Please watch it! And then think of me!! haha. Its sooo funny! You will laugh. Everyday I walk out of my apartment like…What the heeecckkk....Where am I.....Oh yeah! Guatemala! Chimals definitely been an adventure, but I am soooo grateful to be serving here!!! Honestly the Mountains are the coveted spot in the mish. This is where everyone wants to serve and I am so lucky that I get to serve here so early in my mission. We went to change meeting yesterday and I really just thought Wow! I am so lucky to be in the mountains! The city is like a more ghetto version of Long Beach...forget that! And the coast....a big Heck to the no! I told you about the coast. It’s crazy. And Since its rainy season the coast is also dealing with dengue problems and a whole bunch of funk! All I could think was Thank Goodness I am in the Mountains!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! I mean I get to serve among the real Guatemalans. They still wear the typical clothing, walk miles to get wood and water, don’t read, write, nothing. It’s just GUATEMALA. And it is an experience. Last week, we saw this lady bringing wood to her house. They travel soooo far to get this wood and they bring it in wheelbarrows. This is how they cook their food. Can you believe that? So me and Hermana Buterbaugh offered to help her push the wheelbarrow and carry the wood into her house. Oh my gosh, it was soooo embarrassing!!!! These wheel barrows are misleading. They seem so easy to push...but NO! I take the wheel barrow and it just starts going crazy. I was Woooww, Wowww, Wowwwww and it just starts shaking and all the wood was like falling out! Oh man! I was like what the heecckk? So the lady just laughed and took back the wheelbarrow and we helped her set up her wood for her fire. But I could not believe how hard it was just to push that thing and they do it with a HUGE bucket on their head....I mean HUGE because they go wash their clothes at the same time in I don’t know where but they travel far AND they also all have a baby strapped to their back And they don’t wear shoes!!!! IT seriously is IMPOSSIBLE! I have NO idea how they do it!! Really. It’s crazy. But this is the kind of people you teach here and it is AMAZING!!!
I am just in awe everyday at how blessed I am and how easy our lives are! I just gotta drop to my knees and say THANK YOU!! Because I KNOW that I could never ever survive living like this. Heck I’m only here for 18 months and it is rough!! The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I just can’t imagine. But I am getting used to it and I really do feel so grateful to be here!! I won’t lie, my mission so far has been rough, crazy, hard, hard, hard...But that’s what makes it great!! With the help of the Lord, I am finding that I can do things I never thought I could do. My mission is stretching me in every way possible. Everything that would be hard for me, I am having to deal with now. And it is rough and straight up sucks sometimes. I’m not going to lie I have questioned many times if mission calls are truly inspired and I told my comp to hide all hammers or anything that I could break my legs with from me because ¨Dallas Texas BEST Mission EVER!!!¨¨ haha. I know exactly what she means. haha. But the longer I am here and the more I am learning the more I KNOW that this is where I need to be. The truth is that Heavenly Father knows us more than we know ourselves. And this is teaching me humility like I never wanted to know and just that we need to rely on the Lord. When I survive Guatemala, I will know that it truly is only through the help wisdom, mercy and strength of the Lord because this should be Impossible!!!! The church is TRUE! I know that because I´m the missionary HE has sent and the church is still growing! Really. It is incredible. My testimony on that has grown so much!!! I’m learning more about myself each day and I have a testimony that honestly through the Lord, we can do all things. I believe! And testify to Love!!!
Bueno!! So yes I am still fighting and in good spirits! Oh my comp..... her name is Hermana Angel from El Salvador! She is Pilas and I loooove her!! The funny thing is we actually were in the CCM together. We both only have one change in the mission field. Oh no!! haha. We were both shocked when we found out wed be together. We are both babies, but I am grateful to be with her because we get along great and she’s pilas. We were friends in the ccm so its just fun. The only scary thing is like I said we both don’t have a lot of experience...one change! And she’s in my area so I’m supposed to be the one showing her the area which is scary because in Chimal things get a little crazy!!! But we are learning together and I am excited, I know President is an inspired man and even though we’re young and in a more difficult area, we can do great things. Time in the mish don’t mean nothing! haha. IT will be great! But it is definitely different. I am doing everything like a Latina now. Yesterday, I hand washed clothes with her in our pila, and this morning we made beans and fried platanos for breakfast, and for the past couple of days I have only spoken Spanish!!!! It’s so much fun though. I miss Buterbaugh and cried because we got along so well and there is no way I could of made it through the craziness of last change without her, but I am excited for this change. I know it will be great!
Anyways family, your daughter is surviving! Please continue to pray for me because OHH I need it! But don’t worry about me. I’m in the Lords hands. HE knows what He’s doing and all is well. Oh yeah, I went to the doctor and had funky stuff growing in my stomach so I’m on meds to kill it....that would explain the boo and nausea...yikes!! But it is going away and I’m grateful they caught it early. And I am getting eaten alive by bugs and it is cold now! Craziness never ends. But consider the alternatives. It could be Dengue in the coast or snow in Russia....So I will testify to love and say Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord! Shame the devil!!!!! The church is true which makes EVERYTHING worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all with all my heart! Don’t worry about me, I am okaaay!! When we get a chance to leave here I will send you pictures. WE don’t have a mail place here so I gotta wait til pday when we can leave!!! But I love youuuuu allll soooooooooo much!!! Prestos todos prestos......The church is TRUE!!!
June 7, 2010 Guatemala: Volcano Eruptions, Hurricanes and an 18 Month Camping Trip
Sent: Mon, June 7, 2010 8:44:19 AM
Subject: HOLLLAAAA
Hola Everyone!!!
I just got your email and dad’s letter and I just want to say DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ME!!!! Really I am fine! Yes, even my companion tells me everyday that this is not a normal first change. haha. This is the craziest change she has had on her entire mission. But we are ok. Really!!! This week it has been completely sunny. Its weird, but I love it!!! The saddest thing is that my comp is going home. I don’t know what I would do without her. She is seriously amazing!!!! I do not eat the fruits or anything like that here. We are not allowed to! In our area, we are not even allowed to eat at members houses except for the Bishop and our cocinera. IT is against the rules which I am SOOOOOO grateful for!!!! That saves my life! Because it is la sketch, you are right. But we are fine! The mountains are great!! Believe me It could be worst, I could be in the coast. My comp told me to start praying and sucking up to President so that he will never send me there. haha. That’s where the spiders the size of your head come out, its ten degrees hotter, and they have BUCKET SHOWERS!!!!!!! no running water. YIKES!! That might be a bit much for me. BUt I am just fine here!!!!! I really am ok. I wont pretend Its rough at times and I am a dirty girl, but the mission has honestly been the best learning experience of my life. Now I know when the Presidents wife told us the first day of our mission, Are you ready for your 18 month camping trip_ haha she’s right and now I know why she tells us that. But ITs been One crazy adventure that I will never EVER forget!! My comp told me that things should get easier. This has jsut been a CRAZY change!!!!! Oh and we were lucky that we are in the mountains because a volcano erupted last week so the missionaries in the coast and City couldn’t go out because it was raining rocks!!! CRAAAAZZZZYYY!! The people in the mountains had the rain, but we were safe from the volcano!! Ohhhhh Guatemala!!! It seriously is a crazy, crazy place. You never know what it will bring. But honestly I am in high spirits, happier than ever. Singing in the rain, teaching, baptizing, pooping....loving..........We’ve been blessed! The Lord honestly knows us. I just feel so grateful because I love my companion and we have solid good people that we are teaching which made it all bearable. Without that, this really would have been a CRAZY CRAZY change. But I am good, happy, no plastic fantastic....GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday, we baptized a FAMILY and it was AMMMAAAAAZZZINNG! Seriously one of the happiest moments of my life! This family is SOOO pilas. I will never forget their faces when they came out of the water. They were seriously GLOWING! It was another crazy week just because they were going to be baptized so the adversary just worked and worked and worked on them and us. For example, the week before they were solid and they just told us how they were absolutely convinced. We go back on Monday night and it was just different. You could feel it when we walked in the room, and it was because Rosalio took his Book of Mormon to work so he could read during lunch and people just ripped into him and told him all this crazy stuff about our church and Joseph Smith and he didn’t really know what to think and thought that he should move the baptism date back. But we were like NO!!!!! That night was CRAZY! I think that night was the first night that I actually spoke real Spanish. I don’t know what got into me, but I just had so much emotion and passion in me because that is my FAMILY and there was no way I was going to let Satan get them so I was like I don’t care if I cant speak Spanish I´m going to lay it out!! And so I just started talking and the Lord was just putting things in my mouth that I didn’t even know I could say!!! They even noticed they were like WOW!! Your Spanish has IMPROVED! And they were shocked. But I swear I wasn’t speaking. The Lord just honestly put things in my mouth because I can’t talk like that now. It was like an outer body experience. IT was crazy!!! But they prayed and got their concerns taken care. But this week was rough just trying to keep them strong. But more than anything me or my comp did, it is seriously their kids who have kept them strong. their little son Angel when we went over would always interrupt his dad because his dad would talk about how he would feel good when he prayed but after he couldn’t stop thinking about all those things his co workers tell him so he was still confused. And the little boy Angel interrupted and said PAPA it’s because the Holy Ghost is telling you to get baptized but then Satan doesn’t want you to follow God and be happy so he tells you not too!! This kid is 7!! But I’m telling you they know!! It was amazing! When they had a doubt about tithing because they don’t have a lot of money, again Angel interrupted and said Well PAPI if Jesus Christ sacrificed his life which was the greatest sacrifice, we can sacrifice money!! Seriously, this kid is CRAZY!! HE is honestly the reason his family got baptized and is so strong. Every time he talks, the dad starts to tear up because it is so powerful!! Mark my words I think I baptized a future 70 or leader of Central America! It’s crazy. But yes, the baptism was BEATIFUL!!! And now they are stronger than ever. I think in the end it was good that we had to wait an extra week because they are stronger because of it!!
But here’s another crazy story. We were supposed to have two families be baptized yesterday...Pablito’s mom the sweet little old lady we found that doesn’t have a husband. WELL in the baptismal interview it came out that YOU WANNA KNOW WHY she doesn’t have a husband......Because she stabbed him because he cheated on her!! WHAAAATTT THEEEE_ I NEVER ever would have guessed she looks like the sweetest thing and she’s also had two abortions SOO needless to say she couldn’t get baptized. We have to wait til next week so she can meet with President. But just craziness!!!
Anyways, things are going great! This is my last week with Hermana Buterbaugh and we are just ready to give it all we got and leave it all on the field! We went to the doctor and he said that she can fly she’s just taking meds and stuff so she is going. Fasting and prayer works. Her family and ward did a fast and her mom called us because she was so freaked out that she might not go home. It was hilarious. But she is going and I WILL have a Latina comp. This change 4 gringas are going home so now the mission only has four left....me, herm Wetzel and Williams and the nurse...that’s it! So I will have a Latina for sure probably the rest of my mission! But I think that will be good! The future looks bright.
We started teaching a couple of other people that seem hopeful. They came to church yesterday so well see. At the baptism I asked them after, so are you next...__ I said it in a joking way of course but they said YEAH! So well see!!! It’s exciting!!!! But anyways, really I am doing fine! Do not worry at all about me. If you have any other questions or want me to write about something in particular, let me know. I’m sorry if it is all so scatter brained I just start writing and never really know what to write or what you want to hear but let me know!! I love you all so much. I am seriously doing fine. I LOVE my mission. It is hard and the Lord is stretching me in every way possible....seriously crazy fun memories but this experience is solidifying my testimony of the reality of this work. I KNOW it’s true! And I’ve prayed harder than I ever have to know this is true. I can honestly say that there would be NO WAY I would ever be here if I didn’t KNOW, not just believe, KNOW that this was the Lords work. I’m grateful because I can honestly say that that has kept me here and is the ONLY reason I am here. ONLY. I I am and will be okay!! I promise. Please just keep praying for me and know that Heavenly Father truly does wrap His arms around us and protect us. It’s real. I feel it everyday. I love you all!! Hugs and kisses....Prestos Todos Prestos the CHURCH IS TRUE!!!
Loves!
Hermana Ali
Subject: HOLLLAAAA
Hola Everyone!!!
I just got your email and dad’s letter and I just want to say DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ME!!!! Really I am fine! Yes, even my companion tells me everyday that this is not a normal first change. haha. This is the craziest change she has had on her entire mission. But we are ok. Really!!! This week it has been completely sunny. Its weird, but I love it!!! The saddest thing is that my comp is going home. I don’t know what I would do without her. She is seriously amazing!!!! I do not eat the fruits or anything like that here. We are not allowed to! In our area, we are not even allowed to eat at members houses except for the Bishop and our cocinera. IT is against the rules which I am SOOOOOO grateful for!!!! That saves my life! Because it is la sketch, you are right. But we are fine! The mountains are great!! Believe me It could be worst, I could be in the coast. My comp told me to start praying and sucking up to President so that he will never send me there. haha. That’s where the spiders the size of your head come out, its ten degrees hotter, and they have BUCKET SHOWERS!!!!!!! no running water. YIKES!! That might be a bit much for me. BUt I am just fine here!!!!! I really am ok. I wont pretend Its rough at times and I am a dirty girl, but the mission has honestly been the best learning experience of my life. Now I know when the Presidents wife told us the first day of our mission, Are you ready for your 18 month camping trip_ haha she’s right and now I know why she tells us that. But ITs been One crazy adventure that I will never EVER forget!! My comp told me that things should get easier. This has jsut been a CRAZY change!!!!! Oh and we were lucky that we are in the mountains because a volcano erupted last week so the missionaries in the coast and City couldn’t go out because it was raining rocks!!! CRAAAAZZZZYYY!! The people in the mountains had the rain, but we were safe from the volcano!! Ohhhhh Guatemala!!! It seriously is a crazy, crazy place. You never know what it will bring. But honestly I am in high spirits, happier than ever. Singing in the rain, teaching, baptizing, pooping....loving..........We’ve been blessed! The Lord honestly knows us. I just feel so grateful because I love my companion and we have solid good people that we are teaching which made it all bearable. Without that, this really would have been a CRAZY CRAZY change. But I am good, happy, no plastic fantastic....GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday, we baptized a FAMILY and it was AMMMAAAAAZZZINNG! Seriously one of the happiest moments of my life! This family is SOOO pilas. I will never forget their faces when they came out of the water. They were seriously GLOWING! It was another crazy week just because they were going to be baptized so the adversary just worked and worked and worked on them and us. For example, the week before they were solid and they just told us how they were absolutely convinced. We go back on Monday night and it was just different. You could feel it when we walked in the room, and it was because Rosalio took his Book of Mormon to work so he could read during lunch and people just ripped into him and told him all this crazy stuff about our church and Joseph Smith and he didn’t really know what to think and thought that he should move the baptism date back. But we were like NO!!!!! That night was CRAZY! I think that night was the first night that I actually spoke real Spanish. I don’t know what got into me, but I just had so much emotion and passion in me because that is my FAMILY and there was no way I was going to let Satan get them so I was like I don’t care if I cant speak Spanish I´m going to lay it out!! And so I just started talking and the Lord was just putting things in my mouth that I didn’t even know I could say!!! They even noticed they were like WOW!! Your Spanish has IMPROVED! And they were shocked. But I swear I wasn’t speaking. The Lord just honestly put things in my mouth because I can’t talk like that now. It was like an outer body experience. IT was crazy!!! But they prayed and got their concerns taken care. But this week was rough just trying to keep them strong. But more than anything me or my comp did, it is seriously their kids who have kept them strong. their little son Angel when we went over would always interrupt his dad because his dad would talk about how he would feel good when he prayed but after he couldn’t stop thinking about all those things his co workers tell him so he was still confused. And the little boy Angel interrupted and said PAPA it’s because the Holy Ghost is telling you to get baptized but then Satan doesn’t want you to follow God and be happy so he tells you not too!! This kid is 7!! But I’m telling you they know!! It was amazing! When they had a doubt about tithing because they don’t have a lot of money, again Angel interrupted and said Well PAPI if Jesus Christ sacrificed his life which was the greatest sacrifice, we can sacrifice money!! Seriously, this kid is CRAZY!! HE is honestly the reason his family got baptized and is so strong. Every time he talks, the dad starts to tear up because it is so powerful!! Mark my words I think I baptized a future 70 or leader of Central America! It’s crazy. But yes, the baptism was BEATIFUL!!! And now they are stronger than ever. I think in the end it was good that we had to wait an extra week because they are stronger because of it!!
But here’s another crazy story. We were supposed to have two families be baptized yesterday...Pablito’s mom the sweet little old lady we found that doesn’t have a husband. WELL in the baptismal interview it came out that YOU WANNA KNOW WHY she doesn’t have a husband......Because she stabbed him because he cheated on her!! WHAAAATTT THEEEE_ I NEVER ever would have guessed she looks like the sweetest thing and she’s also had two abortions SOO needless to say she couldn’t get baptized. We have to wait til next week so she can meet with President. But just craziness!!!
Anyways, things are going great! This is my last week with Hermana Buterbaugh and we are just ready to give it all we got and leave it all on the field! We went to the doctor and he said that she can fly she’s just taking meds and stuff so she is going. Fasting and prayer works. Her family and ward did a fast and her mom called us because she was so freaked out that she might not go home. It was hilarious. But she is going and I WILL have a Latina comp. This change 4 gringas are going home so now the mission only has four left....me, herm Wetzel and Williams and the nurse...that’s it! So I will have a Latina for sure probably the rest of my mission! But I think that will be good! The future looks bright.
We started teaching a couple of other people that seem hopeful. They came to church yesterday so well see. At the baptism I asked them after, so are you next...__ I said it in a joking way of course but they said YEAH! So well see!!! It’s exciting!!!! But anyways, really I am doing fine! Do not worry at all about me. If you have any other questions or want me to write about something in particular, let me know. I’m sorry if it is all so scatter brained I just start writing and never really know what to write or what you want to hear but let me know!! I love you all so much. I am seriously doing fine. I LOVE my mission. It is hard and the Lord is stretching me in every way possible....seriously crazy fun memories but this experience is solidifying my testimony of the reality of this work. I KNOW it’s true! And I’ve prayed harder than I ever have to know this is true. I can honestly say that there would be NO WAY I would ever be here if I didn’t KNOW, not just believe, KNOW that this was the Lords work. I’m grateful because I can honestly say that that has kept me here and is the ONLY reason I am here. ONLY. I I am and will be okay!! I promise. Please just keep praying for me and know that Heavenly Father truly does wrap His arms around us and protect us. It’s real. I feel it everyday. I love you all!! Hugs and kisses....Prestos Todos Prestos the CHURCH IS TRUE!!!
Loves!
Hermana Ali
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