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