1 year whaaaaaa......

GUAT'S UP??

 

Hi family :)

 

THE RUNDOWN:

The beds. We had to get creative...

-6 months down.  I really don't know when that happened.  See you in a year folks.

-I had to test for parasites again but the test came back negative.  So I don't really know why I'm sick but it's awwl good.

-We had a sleepover last night with 19 hermanas... wooooo!  Talk about awkward parties hahaha (activities to make us be friends..)

Hermana Adair, me, Hermana Lopez (my comp)

-I ate cheesecake and for the first time in my life I actually enjoyed it.  The mission does things to ya.

 

This week was a strange one, that's for sure.  I'll just get right to the facts.  My comp is super cool and I love her to death but she doesn't want to be here.  Throughout an emotional first week I found out about more of her problems.  She has a big load of health issues.  Leukemia, heart problems, back problems.. and millions more.  When she sent her papers in the first time with her health issues listed they told her she couldn't go on a mission.  She then sent her papers back in without saying anything about her health issues.  Now she is here in Guatemala and is suffering and about passing out every 5 seconds.  It's really hard for her because our area is legit so hard and we have to climb mountains every lesson.  She also left a very serious boyfriend at home and went on the mission because she was scared to get married.

 

So after having interviews with President Curtiss and Hermana Curtiss and praying a lot, she has decided she wants to go home.  We talked to President and Hermana Curtiss again and have decided that she will wait until the end of this 6 weeks and head on home.  She feels like she should get married and I think she is figuring out that the mission is harder on our health than she thought.  Now, she's as happy as can be haha.  Sometimes it's hard to get her to wake up and work because she's already got her mind at home but she is still a really good teacher and I'm learning a lot from her.  So yeah, just a little news flash haha.......

 

We had some really special experiences this week despite the weirdness of all that.  We had a lesson with a woman working in a small tienda outside of the bus stop.  We had already taught her the Restoration.  We were explaining the Book of Mormon and how it is the keystone of our religion and how if she reads it, ponders the messages in it, and prays to know if it is true, she will in turn know that the church is true.  She then said with a smile and a bit of amazement, "The other day I was making dinner and I started thinking about your lessons.  I feel like this church is true!  I don't know why I couldn't stop thinking about it or why I feel so happy, but I feel like it is true."  Dang, my comp and I just stared at each other with tears in our eyes and huge smiles on our faces.  Yes, it is true.  We are working hard with her because she has a hard time recognizing the Spirit and her husband won't let her go to church and is always drunk and abusing her, but we have faith that she will progress :)

 

Saturday we finally had our baptism with Marisol :)  We were a little nervous because it was pouring rain and hoped people would show up, and turns out people showed up soaking wet!  It was so special and she was so nervous but so happy!  Her two favorite hymns are I Am a Child of God and Families Can Be Together Forever, so I played the arrangement I have of the two mixed together.  The spirit was so strong and she then complained when I finished and sat down because she was crying haha :)  (she's not one to show much emotion or let people in).  When she entered the baptismal font she was

Me, Marisol, Hermana Lopez, and Elder Lopez

practically screaming for 5 minutes because it was so cold and only stopped talking long enough for Elder Lopez to say the prayer and baptize her hahahaha.  She ran out of the font practically screaming about how cold it was hahaha.  When everyone congratulated her after, she had tears in her eyes once again.  We have an investigator who had a baptismal date but can't get baptized right now because she isn't married. Her son who is 12 years old, named Angel, went to the baptism with some of the young men and came up to me after and said, gazing at the font with a smile on his face, "I am going to be baptized. I will be baptized soon."  It was a special night :)

 

Life has it's ups and downs right?  I am learning to cherish the good things and the bad things as well because without the bad parts, the good parts wouldn't seem so good :)

 

Love you so much fam :)

No Empty Chairs

Mo Rae

I have a child...

Familia,

Oh hi guys.  I almost have a year left.  Wait, didn't I just start?

 

THE RUNDOWN:

-I have a child and she's 22 years old and latina...

-People get upset because my name is hard to say.  I'm sorry it's not my fault.

-My right arm is pretty ripped from hand washing my clothes in the dirty pila... doesn't matter if the water is black, as long as it's wet it's clean right...??  I just try not to think about it.

-We are breaking mission rules.  We are told that we can't have pets of any kind... does a house infested with cockroaches count?

-You know you're tired when you go to sleep with a bunch of mud on your legs every night.  I have forgotten what clean is.

 

So yeah I'm training folks.  My comp is Hermana Lopez, she is from Nicaragua, and she is super dope.  The first day I was with her,and a bunch of other missionaries before we left to go to our house.  A bunch of them were talking in English and I said something hilarious like always and she started laughing..... UH WHAT.  SHE SPEAKS ENGLISH.  I about cried.  I have a sweet comp, she has an amazing testimony, and she speaks english.  In other words, she is sent straight from heaven above.  STRESSED BUT BLESSED.

 

We went to our first lesson and after teaching about faith and repentance she invited to baptism.  whaaaaa.. she is blowin me away.  I am still scared to invite people haha.  She is really animated, friendly, a little sad, but strong.  I think about all I have to offer her is a bunch of incorrect spanish and a little help not getting too lost in our area haha.  It's good.

 

We had a super cool experience with a less active member yesterday.  With hermana gonzales we always placed appointments with her but every time we went looking she said she was busy, about to leave, about to eat, about to do whatever thing that didn't involve listening to us.  aight.  Last night we were close to her house but walking in the opposite direction to look for someone else, but I had a random thought, "We should look for Heidi again."  It seemed like a lost cause but I thought we could try anyways.  We went knocking and she let us in!  I was amazed.  We had planned to share 2 Nefi 31 with her to give her a little sincho. (there's literally not a word for sincho in english.  For example, she is baptized but doesn't go to church, so we were going to tell her she needs to shape up and endure to the end.... that's sincho)  After talking with her for a few minutes and we were about to share the lesson, we both paused and looked at each other.  We knew there was something else Heidi needed to hear last night.  We asked her what she was hoping to talk about, learn about, or wanted us to teach her.  She asked if we could talk about faith.  Immediately Hermana Lopez and I had thoughts, insights, questions, and scriptures come to our minds and we had a new lesson formed in about 3 seconds without saying a word.  We knew there was a lot more meaning to her request to talk about faith.  She was searching for help.  We were able to teach her and turns out it was exactly what she needed, exactly when she needed it.  She apologized for not receiving us for so long before, but that she hadn't been ready to let Christ back into her life yet.  She said that our visit was perfectly timed and that maybe she was at home alone without any distractions for a reason.  She needed to feel Christ's love.  We left her with a few scriptures to read and the invitation to come back to church.  When we left her house and walked quickly out of the scary dark lane in our scary dark area, we were smiling and talking about how we both had the same promptings and how perfect it was.  Oh how grateful I am for tender mercies, especially on days when I feel like I really don't want to keep going.

 

I love you all!

No Empty Chairs

Hermana Llátez

Stressed...Blessed??

Familia,

 

Well hey folks.  I have a lot to say, and then again nothing haha.  I don't even know what life is anymore.

 

SOPHIE HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!  I freaking love you so much bff, I can't even tell you.  You are the most lovely thing to walk this earth and you look better in my clothes than I do.  So sport them.  I wish I could be there with you for your birthday, but I'll only be a little late for your birthday next year ;)  Love you to the moon and back sissy.

Barrett and Erin, it is so pretty there!!!  Thank you for the pictures!!  You're right Erin, I'd go absolutely crazy there taking pictures..

Fun fact: all my pictures got deleted again.  For real this time.  Sorry mama.

I have a request.  Someone needs to film Isaac's homecoming talk for me.  No, not just a recording of his voice, but a video please :)  I don't care who or how, but it has to be done.  Thank you :)

I got the tapes thank you!!  Dang it is so great to hear your voices.  Should I respond on the one you already used or a new one or both for you and Barrett and Erin....??? idk what to do..

We have a baptism on Saturday!

And yes changes are tomorrow.  I got a call on Saturday night from one of the assistants, Elder Trujillo, when we were walking in the street to buy some food for my comp.  "Hermana Yates!  Quiere saber su cambio?"  ".....no...."  "Pues felicidades Hermana Yates, usted va a entrenar!!!!"  "..............."

I didn't have a single word to say to him.  Then I started bawling in the street.  That was not the phone call I was hoping to get.  I bawled all night long.  I think I'm numb to feeling anything about it now because I cried everything out.

No, I'm not ready.

No, I don't understand spanish.

No, I don't have anything to teach another missionary.

Yes, I'm terrified.

 

help.

 

I don't know who I will be training, if she speaks english, spanish, or chinese.  I hope hope HOPE she speaks spanish.  Pray for me.  That's about all folks.

Love you all.

 

nec

Morgan

Welcome home my brother

Familia,

I almost sent my letter to Isaac's missionary email.  Welcome home my brother.

Hermana Faught

I'm not gonna lie, I'm really not in the mood to write today.  I'm still in Guatemala and I'm still a missionary and even though it is pretty much impossible to explain how hard it is, I'm glad I'm here even though I'm not with you all.  I'm so grateful for my family and I love you all so much.

I'm going to send home a bunch of pictures and see if I have time to write more.

NEC

Morgan

Crammed in the taxi to take our investigators
to see a baptism

New area with Hermana Gonzalez

Animo!

Familia,

 

THE RUNDOWN:

-I don't know how, but the men here have whistle sounds programmed into their cars.  When they pass, their cars "whistle" at us and it's pretty hilarious.

-I accidentally said a bad word in spanish.. I didn't know it until my comp said, "What did you say??  That's bad!  Where did you hear that?"  hahaha couldn't tell ya.

-We have sought out every weight scale in Coban.. and we're convinced they're all rigged.  Either way, my diet starts now.

-I HAVE ANOTHER PARASITE WOOOOO!!!!!  No, really it sucks.  But I'm taking meds and I'm on a strict diet of sandwiches and oatmeal.

-We have a street in our area that is full of bars.  There are always women sitting outside and I've always wondered why.  Maybe they are showing the men of Coban that women work there...?  I asked my comp, "Why are there always women sitting outside?"  Yeah definitely prostitutes haha.  Oh how innocent I am...

Zone Conference

-Last night a man was throwing rocks at our window and wanted to talk to us.... definitely not Romeo.  We are super careful when we leave the house now :)

 

Well family.. Isaac is going to pretend like he wants to be home for a while.  Don't take it too personally, the mission is just really special.

 

I find it all too fitting that in the Bible dictionary, when you read the name Isaac it says -He Laugheth.  If you know my brother you know he is always laughing and can make anyone laugh with ease.  If you know my brother you'll also know that he writes letters that inspire, make you laugh, cry, and ponder.  I always wonder how it's done.  Maybe one day I'll figure it out.  He doesn't want to disappoint anyone, especially his Father in Heaven.  He has always been a faithful brother and friend and an example for me, even though I've always been that annoying little sister ;)  He left with a desire to do the right and found a joy and conviction in the light of the gospel and the special experience of sharing it with others.

 

A little less than 2 years ago I was going through a rough time.  I remember writing my brother about my worries and concerns and saying "I need a missionary!"  I am so grateful for the response I got a week later.  He said, "No you don't need a missionary.  What you need is to trust in the healing power of Christ's atonement."  What neither of us may have known in that moment is that more than needing a missionary, I really needed my missionary brother.  Someone with a testimony, someone who cared and knew what I was missing, and someone who could help me see it.  Without that letter, I'm not sure I would be on my mission right now.  In that moment I began to see more clearly the strong, caring, selfless missionary he is.  He truly is an instrument in our Savior's hands -he was prepared, humble, and worthy to receive promptings and listen to the Spirit to help me with exactly what I needed.  I can only imagine the miracles he has performed in the lives of others in Mexico City because of his dilligence and worthiness in the work.  I wish I could have had divisions with him this past week to learn from him and feel his love for the people as he teaches.

 

Alma 29:9-10 is his mission scripture:

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

And behold, when I see many of my bretheren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heared my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he exteded towards me.

 

I feel that this scripture represents a lot of what my brother has learned and who he has become on his mission.  He doesn't glory of himself, but in the Lord.  He finds joy in the work and his work will not stop this week.  He has the surest testimony that God hears his prayers.  He sees God's hand in all things.

 

Izee, I am so grateful for your example in my mission and in my life.  Thank you for showing me how to be a true servant of the Lord and helping me work harder to reach my potential.  You are amazing and I'm so proud of you.  ánimo!!!  Your mission does not stop here and I know you will continually be a light in my life and in the lives of all those around you.  I love you so much!

 

Fam, give him a big hug for me, give Barrett and Erin and Lily hugs for me as they leave for Norway, and take a million and a half pictures.  I'll bring tissues to internet next week, like I did today haha.

 

Nunca silla vacía

Mo

Humildad

Familia,

 

THE RUNDOWN: MY FAMILY IS THE COOLEST.

Dad, my companion is obsessed with Chinese people.  Bring her back a Chinese boyfriend please :)

Mom, you are my hero.  Thank you a million for your letter. Don't ever doubt yourself or the Lord.  

Barrett and Erin.  Way to drop that bomb.  You're having another BABY?!?!?!  Congratulations!!!  Freak, I will have another sobrino/a when I get home...  And also I just realized you are moving to Norway.  It took a few months to sink in.  You are so brave.

Isaac, FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS MI HERMANO!!  I miss you more than ever and I love you more than ever.  My heart aches for you this week because you will be headed home, but I know you have been an incredible missionary.  (to be continued next week)

Porter, I hope you enjoyed living in my room.  I miss it haha.  You're hawt and you don't look like an indian this summer.  Unless the pictures don't do it justice.

Sophie, You're hawt too.  Don't talk to boys.  I hope you had fun in the parade!!!

Grandparents Yates and Grandparents Taylor, I have received your letters in the mail and in email!  THANK YOU!!  I will reply next week!  Love you to the moon and back.

 

What a week of learning.  I am going to quote quite a bit of the talk "Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson.

 

"Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness.  All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.  The central feature of pride is enmity - enmity toward God and emnity toward our fellowmen.  Enmity means "hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition"  It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

 

"The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives.  Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves.  Only by pride cometh contention.  Unity is impossible for a proud people, and unless we are one we are not the Lord's.  Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.  Alma said, "Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble." 

 

"Let us choose to be humble.  We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are.  We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement.  We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us.  We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others.  We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives.  We must yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, put off the prideful natural man, become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble."

 

This week, through a series of different experiences in zone conference and a conflict with my companion, I have been compelled to be humble.  I had not accepted that I was in my companionship because of direction from God, given to my mission president.  I have not submitted all my will to the Lord's and loved as freely as I should.  I have not been converted in order to convert my investigators.  I can't tell my investigators to improve in Christ-like attributes when I am lacking.  Sometimes we need harsh wake up calls in order to change, improve, be humbled, refined and better servants of the Lord.  I am grateful for these opportunities to grow.  I love my Savior and my Father and I hope to better live up to the potential that They know I am capable of.

 

No Empty Chairs,

Morgan

Bandaids fix everything

Familia,

2 1/2 weeks..... where in the world did the time go.  I feel like my brother left on his mission just a few months ago.  It is fair to say that I was a completely different person 2 years ago.  Isaac, you can take a stop in Guatemala on your way home right???  Cool, see ya in a few weeks.

 

THE RUNDOWN

-I finally fell!!  I have been waiting almost 5 months to become less graceful ;) and fall hard so that I could use my handy first aid kit that adds an annoying amount of weight in my backpack.  Well, my Danskos failed me and I slipped and smashed my knee haha but bandaids and a little bit of alcohol fix everything right?  I'll send pictures soon, I got a bad computer today...

-My waterbottle broke... parasites here I come

-Another package is waiting for me in the office!  Thanks mama!

 

In our area we have awesome members.  I have been so grateful for their help.  Our lessons are so much more effective with members to bear testimony and become friends with our investigators.  It's pretty hilarious when they all come to church on Sunday with pained looks, rubbing their sore legs from climbing all of the stairs in our area to get to the homes of our investigators, but they always have a good experience and are willing to come with us again!  We have a recent convert, Marta, who came with us to teach for the first time.  She was pretty nervous but excited to help.  We were teaching a lesson and we could tell our investigator was uninterested and the Spirit wasn't very present.  Something needed to happen.  We asked Marta to bear her testimony and she shared her conversion story and how she knows this church is true.  It was so perfect.  As she spoke, the Spirit filled the room.  Our investigator could feel the change and it was a very special experience.  As we left the lesson, I turned to Marta and asked if she could feel how strong the Spirit was when she bore her testimony.  She had the biggest smile and said, "Ahh yes!  I felt really warm and happy!  The Spirit was so strong and I still have the chills!"  She now wants to go with us to teach every day haha.  I am so grateful for special experiences like these.  I am so grateful to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  He can bear testimony and truth of our message a lot better than we can :)

 

I love you all.  Lay on the carpet and make lace cookies for me because carpet and brown sugar don't exist in Guatemala.

 

No Empty Chairs

Hermana Chetz