November 11, 2013

 

We've had a great week. It was full of new ideas, revelations and blessings.

We had some great lessons and have some people really interested in listening to our messages.

Interesting things this week are that we had divisions so another Sister missionary came to my area. It all went pretty well, but there's an area where there are a lot of dogs that don't like us and they could sense her fear. We got chased away at one point. That's ok though, because the next day I used fried chicken to befriend them. :D

One of our investigators came to church. He's a radio speaker and you can tell... His voice has that tone and once he gets talking it's hard to cut in to make him stop. Haha, he could announce a rodeo or auction. Funny guy...at least, if I could understand all his mumbled words...but everyone else always laughs.

We had a really special lesson with a member family this week. The mothers started crying part way through our lesson and she expressed her sincere gratitude for us being here and helping her. I stand in awe at times at the influence we have. Although young men and women, people can feel something special when we enter their house and share something of the gospel. It was so sweet.

Some updates on where I'm living and the situations...because people are asking. We are fed two meals. We have a set house that feeds us lunch and one for dinner. We make our breakfasts. We have a little stove unit but no oven. We have someone who washes most of our clothes, but we have a few things that we wash by hand. Mmm....I have come to love Plantanons....for the record. Acquired taste, but now I love them!

Continuing to laugh and love the people and the mission. Never a dull moment and never enough time. ,) I have to get going, but I love you all and will try to record some more experiences so that I have the ideas prepared by the time I come to the computer next week. Hope to keep receiving your letters. Even if I don't respond, I am SO grateful for them. Love you!

Hna Schultz

 

Random Pictures :D

 

Poor Rabbit...thos tricks were for kids

 

 

Our neighborrhood out our front window. Just a little different from Laguna Seca.



November 4, 2013

 

Ok, I know everyone wanted to know all about the festivities that occurred this last week. Namely, Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos. Well.... Only a few people here celebrate Halloween. Some people put up a few decorations and I know that there were kids in the street asking for sweets, but...we were inside in a lesson when the children passed, so I don't know if they were dressed up or not.

.

For Dia de Los Muertos, it was more like Thanksgiving. The tradition in the city is to gather as a family and eat lots of food. Especially to eat the traditional food that's called 'fiambre'. It's basically a cold salad with lots of different meats, vegetables and cheeses ,mixed together. No one knows where it originated, but it's been a long standing tradition. It's actually pretty tasty.

 

Also, another cultural thing. I am now a master at making pupusas. It is a cultural dish of El Salvador. I learned it because my companera is from El Salvador and everyone wants to learn how. We ended up spending 2 HOURS making pupusas for one family last week. PHEW!

Oh, I don't know if anyone has heard of Morcaff. It is like coffee, but not like cofee because it has no coffee. ,) It's made of grains. The family is Mormon and one time we were speed walking past their house (because we only walk fast) and one of the family chased us down in a panic. They needed help translating a presentation to send to the US! So, I did a little bit of service translating the Mission and Purpose (and descriptions of ingrediients) from Spanish to English. I kind of enjoyed it...a lot! But it was quite a lot of translating. Still, when you find Morcaff or something called LinAvena in the superstores...I had a little part in that. :D

Lately our lessons have been really powerful. It's amazing reading something and planning something that we think someone needs then finding out that indeed it is excatly what the person or family needed. Absolutely amazing.  

Also, people are really really moved by music and I have had lots of requests by people to sing 'If You could Hie to kolob'. It only exists in the English Hymn book so I have to start carrying that arround.

Ok, that's all I have time for. Love you all! Cuidense!

Love,

Hermana Schultz

The new 'Elderes' of Tesoro 1



October 28, 2013

 

 

Hey Family and Friends.

This might be a bit of a blur to write this week because the computer had lots of problems and so I basically only have 30 minutes...unless they give me more time, but I'm not sure.

We're still learning how to work effectively here. People aren't home during the days because of work and only are at home in the nights. But...little by little we're learning how to work here. I love my companera mucho mucho. She's funny and relaxed and we get along great!

We've been having lots of practice with talking to people and that, in turn has led to some really funny experiences.

It's a bit frustrating not being able to just walk to the someone else's house with the confidence that they'll accept us....like they would in Laguna Seca. But---we're learning.

This Sunday one of our new investigators came to church! He's very excited about the gospel. He explained to us that when he entered the church he felt something warm spread from his head to his feet. He could recognize the good feeling of the Spirit.

Things are going well here for the most part. It's not easy, but success does not mean being perfect immediately. But it means trying to BECOME all that you can be.

I don't have much time to report on much else right now. The only other news I have is that my camera has decided to go on the fritz so right now there are no pictures to send. I'm going to try taking it to Quickphoto to see if they know how to fix it. Cross your fingers! And Pray!

Ok, I love you all.

Take care!

Love,

Hermana Schultz



October 21, 2013

 

This week has been quite a blur, as you might be able to imagine. The last night in Laguna Seca, the members and my friends threw an impromptu farewell party. It was so heart warming to see them all gathered on our front porch to send me off. 

 

As I anticipated, I was assighned a brand new area with a brand new missionary. This is called ópening an area. It's basically like starting from scratch. Our area was La Comunidad....they haven't had Sister missionaries for about 20 years. But for good reason. It's incredibly dangerous. Just as we were getting to know people that first day, we were told that the next day we would be changing areas. Good thing we didn't unpack. So, the next day we transfered to an area called El Tesoro 1. The treasure. Wow. It's such an incredible difference from my humble little Laguna Seca. 

   

The members and people are amazing. They all want to help us and offer to go on splits with us all the time. Only thing is, we don't know who ANY of our investigators are. Well...now we know two, but we can't just go visit them, we have to plan with them. But, although we're kind of wandering in the dark on how to work in the city and how to find people to teach, we have seen lots of miracles. People just COME to us wanting to learn about the church! What...is in the water here? People are so willing to listen or the members are so ready to share the gospel with their friends. It's crazy! 

 

Their homes are mostly very nice. It's a bunch of large gated residential communities. Our area is HUGE! It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other of our area. It blows my mind. My house too, is a mansion. It has 5 rooms! A kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom and a room where we have our clothes. It makes me miss Laguna Secan and the simplicity of their living. They're so happy there. 

 

I have been able to hear from my hija in Laguna Seca about some miracles that are happening in Laguna Seca. It makes me so happy to hear of the growth that is happening there and of the people I love.

We have had some really funny experiences here. People sometimes give us food. And don't stop giving. Haha, it's rough when we¡'re short on time to get somewhere and they keep feeding us. Then we have to waddle to the other side of the community in 5 minutes. Our new investigator, Moises, who found us in the street, is a sweet, lonely, simple man. He was very grateful for our first visit and to show his gratitude gave us colorful placemats from his house. Mine has dolphins on it. He then tried giving us hugs. But as Sister missionaries, it's a rule that we are not to hug guys. Someday I want a picture of the awkward Sister missionary hug rejection. It's awkward. Haha, but funny. We couldn't stop giggling about our new placemats. I enjoy my new companion a lot, we get along really well. She has a great sense of humor and she's smart, bold and confident. Just what I need in a companion to help open a new area. We look forward to working in this area. One step at a time we're going to figure this out.  

Environments change, but the message remains the same. What's going to change is the manner in how we work and our skills. 

 

Ok, I am officially out of time. I had no time for pictures today, so hopefully next week. Love you all and I will talk to you next week! Don't be discouraged when you encounter problems. There's a way to tackle the problems. Heavenly Father gives us challenges to learn how to over come them. He doesn't give us more than we can handle. In other words...he knows we can over come the challenges or pain or dificulties in front of us. Be happy and smile because the Lord is with you.

Love,

Hermana Schultz

I forgot to say, my area is in an area called Montserrat.

November 14, 2013

 

 

The Lord has a plan and if we're in accord with this...we can calmly accept when circumstances seem to change contrary to what we would like. I knew I couldn't stay in Laguna Seca forever, but I had hoped I would have more time. Last night at about 10:30 I received the call that I would be leaving the area Tuesday. It was and is sad to leave people I care so much about, but I feel an odd peace about it too. I know it's my time to leave. I was able to stay for one last baptism and to help a recent convert become animated for a mission. I think this is sufficient. I think this is why I remained in Laguna Seca for one more transfer. We'll see what other challenges and adventures the Lord has in store for me next.

 

This week was focused mainly in helping Bryan prepare for his baptism. We definitely had some trials and it was amazing to see how everything came together. He's 16, so he needed permission from his mom. We didn't expect problems, but when we asked, she said she wanted him to wait till he was 18! But he wants to be baptized now! And he is so animated about everything in the church. Then, when that was resolved, two days before his baptism, he suddenly had lots of doubts. It was stressing him out a lot. We spent a lot of time talking and praying with him, but in the end I left him with a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read. I had an idea of what I wanted him to understand from it when he read and prayed, but the next day....he understood it completely different. The great thing was...he understood it in a way that he needed. He had prayed a lot and once again, he felt at peace with the decision to be baptized and he was animated once again. Wow! Satan worked really really hard on him, but the Spirit conquered (as it always will).

Also, started a class in Ingles...which we won't be able to continue because I'm leaving, but it was a lot of fun! I couldn't speak English very well though. Haha...so weird.

Also started a class to help people learn how to talk to people about the gospel in a non threatening way. Many people showed up. They're so excited to help! Too bad that, also, won't be able to continue...with me at least. I'm going to try translating it for my compa to use. 

Bryan Ticun. Baptized Saturday October 12, 2013. What an incredible experience! 

 

 

Well, I think that's about all I have time for. 

 

Tiny cultural tidbit...I won't miss listening to the Evangelical music in the nights. Out of tune guitar that strums an off set chord, a wailing singer and some musical keyboard tune that does not correspond to the song. Haha...nope. Won't miss that. ,)

 

I love you all! I'll be sure to let you all know more about my new area next week! Love you!

 

Hna Schultz

They thought it was my birthday! Hehehe

THANKS EVERYONE!

 



November 7, 2013

 

 

Um...honestly. Where did this week go? Really. I think I blinked once. Big mistake.

This week we hiked up to Los Pinos and had a great lesson up there, we went to the Capitol for a reunion of trainers. That was really great. PResident Stay answered questions we had about doctrinal things and tambien how to help in our areas or with specific problems. 

 

We (more like I) almost got eaten by a dog. I'm not sure what this dog has against us, but it lives on a corner that we pass relatively frequently. Lately it has begun to be rather aggresive. It came out of nowhere the other day and nearly ate my ankles for lunch. We screamed and threw rocks at it as well as ran. We are avoiding that route from now on. 

 

Had some great lessons with a family where the mom is a less active member who wants to return to church and wants her kids to be baptized. The dad won't give them permission to go to church, however. Just a matter of time. 

 

General Conference-for those unfamiliar, is a weekend every 6 months where leaders of the church give amazing spiritual talks and instruction for people of the world to stay on the path of Christ. It's incredibly powerful. However, Saturday...Only us missionaries and about 5 other members attended. Sunday was much better. I was unable to watch it in English for the first 3 sessions...kind of frustrating because the North American Elders could watch it in English, but at least I could understand it more or less. But, when my ex-President of the Branch showed up for the last session Sunday with his COMPUTER (not a laptop) I was so incredibly thankful and overjoyed! It was so incredible to listen to the talks in English with the voices of the apostles and prophets. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng I felt so incredible after the talks, like my soul was made of something light and delicate and I was filled with a peace and joy that I didn't want to disturbe or lose. This...this is the Spirit. This is what I try to share.

Is it me or is it crowded in here?

 

Those are the quick highlights of the week.

 

Something cultural....

People live in this beatiful area, but they rarely get out to experience all the wonderful areas. I KNOW there are so many wonderul spots to go hike, but they don't know. Work and soccer. Literally...soccer is an addiction. 

Roughing it! Peaceful.

 

I don't have much time now so I'll head off. I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Schultz

1) Remember the waterfall from a month or so back? Check out what the rainy season has done to it! We're there with Elias, a recent convert tambien.

 



 

September 30, 2013

 

 

Hello Hello,family and friends!

I have had lots of questions about how we're doing here in Guatemala. Rest assured that,in my area, we have had nothing outrageously out of the ordinary. One day the rains came very suddenly, but that was about it. We get lightning storms every now and then and when it's really strong, the lights go out in todo Laguna Seca. But that's normal, so I hear. That happened yesterday. We had a very very strong lightning storm-you could feel the thunder in your whole body. The lights zapped and out not just in our house, but the entire village. I actually really enjoyed it because as no one had power, the evening was very peaceful and tranquil and the stars actually came out for us to marvel. Loved it! My companera may have been a little less enthusiastic about the obscurity.

This week we hiked up to an area called Los Pinos. It's about 30 to 45 minutes of walking distance and there's one family we go visit. Just as we arrived at their house (up in the mountain) the rain POURED down. They don't have a way to receive water up there, as in no running water,so all their water comes from the rain. A system of piping directs water to a large water barrel. Before we left, it was overflowing with water. I love hiking up there. We ended up visiting with some more people and we're going to try visiting again this week.

One of our investigators, Braian,has a date set for his baptism and is really excited about it. He's always looking up church stuff and loves to read and search the scriptures and talks to people about the gospel. What is this madness?? It makes me so happy to see the effect the gospel has had on someone else (and to have helped in it). 

We had a change in leadership in the branch. Our beloved Presidente Salazar no longer is President and that duty now falls to Hno Juan Campos. This change is something that is designated by the much higher up church leaders by revelation and not by popular election or a desire to "retire" from the position. It was a sudden and sad change. Ex PResident Salazar lives in another city,so we won't see him any more in the ward. He and his family promised to keep in touch however and will be visiting Laguna Seca frequently. Change is part of how we progress....even though it's sad at times.

 

We went without lights for two nights due to an electrical short in our house (besides the electrical storm). I actually liked reading by candle light. Kind of soothing.

Another thing I have learned and love...is that I feel like I can understand the scriptures so much better! I have learned a lot and one of my new favorite chapters, is Jacob 5, in the Book of Mormon. Previously, I had absolutely no love for this lengthy chapter about a vineyard....now that I understand it... is blown and I love it! There is so much we can learn in the scriuptures and I know it will be different the next time I read it. 

I don't have pictures for this week because the comnputer won't recognize my camera. Next week I'll have lots to share.Well, that's all I have time for! I love you all and hope you take care!

 

Sincerely,

Hermana Schultz

 

Exciting Week!

Sept. 23, 2013

 

    

     It was an exciting week, filled with lots of 'out of the norm' activities. We had a Zone Conference where the President of the mission came to talk to us, give us advice, and we get to enjoy some activities with the other missionaries. One of the highlights is that they feed us lunch. :) We enjoyed it a lot. President Stay always has some great things to say. 





 

     Also, we had divisions with some other Hermanas. I stayed in my area and my companera went to the other area. It was great, because I was able to be with an Hermana that I know from Honduras. (Isn't it so cool that I can say I know so many different people from so many different countries? ) She's great, has a wonderful sense of humor and is very good at teaching. It was a great learning experience with her and we had a great time! She is really good friends with Hna Sanchez, so we took a photo together in a blanket that belonged to Hna Sanchez. :) 

 

     The best, best best best BEST part of the week was Saturday. One of our converts came to the Noche Mormona and we watched a church movie that is very powerful. Afterwards, he looked close to tears. He told me that he had received his answer and that it was all true! I was speechless with happiness! It's TRUE!! Everything here is not the color of roses, but...it doesn't matter. He got his answer. If that's all that I can do here, that is enough for me! Answers come. Sometimes it just takes a little work and patience, but the Lord will answer the sincere heart.

     We had a record attendance in church yesterday and the Spirit was so strong! What a wonderful blessing! Also, I'm going to be starting a program this next week to help strengthen the ward and the members. I'm excited, and a little nervous. The instructions for this program were developed by a friend during his mission. But, that means all the instructions are in...English. Haha, hopefully I have time to finish the program here before I leave! This week was calidad! So happy and grateful to see the hand of the Lord in my area and in the things we do. He's here with us, I know it. :) 

     Cultural: Have I talked about the buses yet? The main form of transport to get to the Capitol is by 'school buses'. Generally they are painted green and red or with flames and sometimes have LED underlighting. Oh yes, decked out. They blast music during the whole trip. Every time I get off the bus I feel a little bit deaf. Depending on when you board the bus, it's either two people to a seat and relatively comfortable or, if it's the busy time of day, there are three people to every seat. Three people don't exactly fit in these seats, so the third person has a 'half seat'' and is sitting partially in the aisle. This makes it difficult when you have to swim through people to get to a seat. Sometimes, even with everyone seated, there are still more people that are standing in the aisles. Once again...very interesting to swim through a space that you don't think it¡s possible to get through, but somehow...you fit. I haven't taken a picture of this because I don't want a bus full of people to know that the white girl has something of value, but I want to take one! It's become rather normal for me now. My compa gauked the other day as we prepared to board a bus that was 'packed' but to me, there was potential. Haha, it's all about perspective. I'm becoming more and more Guatemalan every day.

That's all for this time. I hope you've enjoyed this weeks update. I love you all and take care!

Reunion de hermanas





Sept. 16, 2013

I Forgot to mention last week that I experienced my first earthquake. We were outside someone's house talking when the children all started looking at the bushes. I realized that they were moving without any wind and only then did I feel the earth quivering under me. My companion panicked a little, but I just couldn't stop thinking 'Huh, that's really interesting!' We were outside and there wasn't anything that could fall on our heads so I was not really worried about it.

In other news: We found some new people that we're going to start teaching. We have some new goals and action plans to change up how we've been working in the area. Still working with love, but just some new ideas to maybe help fulfill some new goals we were giving lately. They're all quite difficult to meet in our area, but...we're going to do our best! Not much else we can do.

We had a reunion de Hermanas this week. It was fun to get to see all the Sisters in the mission together in one place. There are 37 of us! More than I thought! During the reunion we had people give talks and presentations on improving our teaching and other aspects of the work. I had some concerns afterwards and talked to the President's wife, Hna Stay afterwards. My area is special, she told me, and in truth, we get to teach like Christ. Christ, in his ministry, spent a lot of time in the smaller cities and villages, not in cities. He shared his love with people and thus was able to share the gospel! With big cities, the work has adapted for that type of life....but us...us in LAguna Seca get to work as the Savior. I adore this thought and imagine Christ walking the streets talking to my Laguna Secians.

Food from the CCM at the Reunion de Hermanas. I was SO exited!!



 Family Home Evening at Yeimy's house. We made chocolate, banana apple crepes with homemade applesauce. SO TASTY!

 

Now, by popular demand, a little on the culture. Lucky for you all, there was actually something rather bif and culturally important that just happened. This weekend was the Dia de Independencia. Septiembre 15. Saturday there was a thing called Antorche. The people gather and run with a lit torch in memory of their liberty. That night, three groups of youths ran through the village, cheering and whooping, following the person who carried the torch through the town. Afterwards they all gathered in the soccer field where the torch became more of a bonfire event. Earlier in the day, all of the town (practically) gathered for presentations of the students dancing a choregraphed routine. Every grade had a routine and it was a competicion. We only watched a little...we had stuff to do and it made me really miss dancing. There were also parades that took place Saturday and Sunday in Cuilapa. We didn't see any of these because we were up in Laguna Seca, but the village was pretty empty of people.

 

  For Dia de Independencia, the village all got together in the campo because every grade had a choreographed dance routine. We only watched a little from afar. Enough for me to miss dancing, then it was back to work.

 

Alright, that's all I have time for today! Sorry it's such a brief installment. I have one more year to figure out a good balance in information for my letters.

Love you all and take care!

Love,

Hermana Schultz

 

Change!

 

Sept. 9, 2013

 

Well...it's happened. The change in companions. It was so very sad to say goodbye to Hermana Sanchez but, I now have a new companion from Bolivia...and she's new new. The significance of that is that I am now training a missionary! Holy smokes! Talk about intimidating! When one feels incredibly insufficient and still learning as well, I now get to step up to the plate and teach someone what I know. But she's great, she really is. My new companera and I get along very well and she's very smart and already has a pretty good grasp on everything. Sometimes I think she knows more than I do. But then there are moments when I realize that she really does need me and, quite honestly, she's experiencing much of the same doubts, fears and homesickness that I felt when I entered, so I have a lot of wisdom to share on that behalf. Interesting to see her despairing and realizing that was me. There is light at the end of the tunnel in dark places....I know it!

 

 





Introducing my new daughter, Hermana Romero.

 



Miracle of the week. One of our members fell into a drinking binge again. Every day we tried to visit and talk him into avoiding this or doing something to help himself...accept that Christ can help him....that sort of thing. Well, I'd run out of ideas. I really had no idea how to help him or what more to say besides...I know you can change and the Lord can help you. At any rate, we went to visit him on Thursday. He was drunk, but not completely. Before the thought even came to my mind, I was saying things to help him. I was firm, I was insistent, and I knew how to help him! It was an incredibly powerful feeling. The next day....he didn't drink! Amazing.

I have noticed it more and more lately. I seem to know more and more what to say, have the words in my mouth before I think of them and feel more courageous in speaking and inviting. I know how to study for people, I know what to do to try to help them. It's...amazing. I still feel completely unprepared and uncertain at times, but I am definitely receiving some angelic help, I think.

We have several new people we want to help make committments and I'm pleasantly surprised by the progress of the church in Laguna Seca. Has all this really happened in such a short time?

 

Just preparing for victory

 

Ok...I have received several requests for more information on the culture and things. I'm really not sure what to describe or what everyone wants to know. It all seems so every day to me. So...If you send your requests, I will try to dedicate a response to this end....

I'm out of time, I will talk at you all next week! Love you all and take care!

Love,

HES

 

I may or may not have superglued my fingers together when trying to fix my Book of Mormon.

 



Good news!

Sept. 9, 2013

 

 



Good news!

I'll be staying in Laguna Seca for 6 more weeks! We've been waiting nervously all week (mostly me), to find out what will happen with Hermana Sanchez leaving. Turns out I am going to stay there and will be bringing another Hermana there tomorrow.

This week was pretty much a week of farewells since Hermana Sanchez is going home. We had family gathering with Agustin and his family. We helped prepare 'ganaches?' which are tortillas folded in half with potatoes or flowers tucked inside and then fried. They are delicious!

We had a District Lunch in honor of Hermana Sanchez. 

 

 

We celebrated a Birthday Party with a convert's 4 year old daughter, Sophia.

 

Mi refraccion favorito! APPLE!

 

 And the ward threw a surprise party for Hermana Sanchez in honor of her farewell. They made tamales and everyone got up to say something about Hermana Sanchez. It was really beautiful and heartwarming. I didn't get any pictures of that though because I was busy taking pictures and videos on her camera. 
 

Did you know chimichangas are actually a dessert? If you want a chimichanga in Mexico, like you order in a restaurant in USA, it's called a Burrito. Fun fact!

 

We did work, really we did. It was just that everything tended to turn into a farewell. Needless to say, the week has been a little distressing with the constant reminder of her leaving. But, we I don't think it will hit that it is real until it actually happens and I have a brand new companion! Not sure if I'll be training, the President of our branch seems to think I will, but with 4 months already in my area, the chances are not very high that I will be in Laguna Seca for another 3 months to train a newbie. We'll see. I'll let you all know next week.

I think that's al I have time for today. Love you all and will talk to you later!





08/26/2013

Oh man, what to write. I don't quite understand why sometimes I just have no idea what to put after a full week of activities!

First, yesterday we had two more baptisms. It was Letisia and Everildo, the mom and brother of Gustavo, who was baptized a few weeks prior. How exciting that they now have each other as a support system in the gospel!

 

All those that came to the baptism this Sunday.

 

Everything went pretty well. We had a bus come again, but it was nothing like our last Baptism Bus.

;-)

 

Second, this Saturday the women in the church made pan de elote, basically cornbread. There aren't many people that have an oven here, but I was able to see just what an 'oven' looks like here. It's a big stone dome. Calidad! They made lots and lots and lots of pan! It was kind of crazy just how much there was! They gave us some. Then someone else gave us some...then we ate a lot in the Noche Mormona that night.

The stone oven! How cool is that!

 

 

Also this week, we went to the capital and were able to go to the temple. We arrived the night before to sleep at the house of some Hermanas in the capital so we wouldn't have to wake at 3am. We ended up making dinner with a family from the ward of the Hermanas. It was delicious, but a little weird because of the stark difference in lifestyles. I kind of wanted to return to my little village. The temple was wonderful, as usual and we got to spend a good amount of time with our District, which was very enjoyable.

District de Cuilapa. Yes, they're goofs. 

 

A night picture of the temple in Guatemala City. Tropical trees included.

 

 

Besides that, we had dinner with Agustin and his family (almost his whole family) and that was so much fun. I love the people here. Really, they are so wonderful and friendly. It's so wonderful to be able to be here and spend 18months getting to know people I would otherwise never had had the opportunity to know. And, when you share things of the gospel and have wonderful spiritual experiences, those relationships are so much more significant. It's going to be tought to eventually leave. :/

 Dinner with Agustin and his family. You can't see the people on the ends, but you can get an idea. We had a great time! 

 

We took family photos for Magdalena and her adorable kids. And.. Wow...I am really tall

 

That's all I have time for.  Love you all!

-Hermana Schultz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



08/05/20013

Lots of kids and Baptism

 

Kids love photos! If we so much as pull out the camera, they go crazy! These are only two of many.

 Madelin and Sofi. I just had to include this because I burst out laughing every time I see Sofi's face.

  

Gustavo and Madelin. Hanging out after Gustavo's baptismal interview.

 

 



This week marked a very special day for me. Wednesday was my three year 'aniversario mormon', as my companera put it. Besides a beautiful card that my companera made in the morning, there really wasn't anything out of the ordinary from our usual missionary activities. But I was filled with gratitude and reflected a lot on the many experiences I had that led me to be baptized. It was truly marvelous. It seems like I have known this gospel all my life, but it has only been three years! What wonderful experiences I have had since that time, and now, I am on a mission! Ok, enough reflecting on that now. If you want to know more about it, feel free to ask me. Now for the present:

This week has been ajetreado! We have been focused on helping our three investigators prepare for their baptism this Sunday. This meant that our plans often changed to fit around what best suited their needs. We helped Minday and Gustavo practice with the baptismal interview questions. They know everything but often get confused with the names of things. For example, we asked Gustavo about Repentance and what he thought of it. Repentance is the opportunity we have to forsake our sins and be forgiven of them (that's the long and short of it). It's a really good thing. But he said 'Mal. Siento muy mal...' No Gustavo...it's a good thing. We explained it several more times before the light clicked on. Cute kid! We also tried to get the permission of Gustavo's father. That was interesting. He's concerned about his son falling away from the committment he's made but he fails to see the connections that if he doesn't support his son in the decision Gustavo's made then YES, he could fall away. But if he supports him in this good decision, how likely he will be to continue. It's more of a self fullfilling prophecy. The father still didn't give his consent, but his mom was ALL for his baptism and is preparing for her own baptism. With her signature, Gustavo was set for baptism

Yesterday we had all three baptisms! Mindy Geronimo, Elias Perez and Gustavo Santos. Because there were so many people that were involved or wanted to go watch, we had a bus come pick up everyone and take them down to Cuilapa. I couldn't help laughing at the not very subtle bright blue and green bus that pulled up infront of the church. But it was a blessing to be able to use it and help everyone go support their friends and family members.

In Cuilapa, things did not run smoothly. The Elders were late to open the capilla, so we had to set up the baptismal font room with chairs for everyone and get everyone dressed in their baptismal ropa. Next, we moved everyone out for photos, then we filed back in to start. Everything was going great until we realized that the door to the font was locked and the Elders had left the key at their house! They RAN and Hermana Sanchez stalled while 'they prepared for their baptisms' by directing two of the slowest, longest hymns in the hymnal. I was trying so hard not to laugh. The Elders arrived and after that, everything went well. Such a sweet spirit in a baptism! I'm so happy for them and for their families that were able to be there to watch.

Had lots of fun this week playing with kids. They absolutely love having their photos taken and usually I'm happy to comply. There are several kids that love to follow us and give us hugs. I love it! Aww!! Such innocent, sincere love.

Funny story with Gustavo. We were saying goodbye to him and his mom. Gustavo received a hand shake and his mom a kiss on the cheek. He piped up 'I want a kiss too!' Oh we were all dying of laughter. So funny.

Ok, that's all I have time for. I love you all and hope to hear from you! Keep marching on. If things seem tough, push through because the Lord knows your efforts and will bless you.

Love!

Hermana Schultz

 

 

Our 'Baptism Bus' for the day.

The baptismees and practically all of the Laguna Seca members.

 

 



8/19/2013

 

Buenas Dias familia y amigos!

Highlights of this week. We will be baptizing Leticia and her son Eberildo (12 years old) this coming Sunday! Eberildo went from being really hesitant to very eager. It's so wonderful to watch the testimony of people grow. We're so excited! It sounds like we'll get to have the bus come pick up everyone again.

Also this week, we had entrevistas with the President of the mission. It was good. It's more of a 'how are things going' than anything else, but it's nice to talk to him. I REALLY love getting to talk to his wife. She's so bright and bubbly. It feels like a nice comfortable conversation. Presidente seems really impressed by my Spanish (but I think he still thinks I'm training, so this might add to his pride in my language.) However, I've had many other people commenting lately on how pilas I am for picking up the language so quickly. I can engage in most conversations and they can understand me! It's a rewarding feeling as they begin to confide in me because we can actually communicate and they understand me.

At the Noche Mormona this week, we watched a Book of Mormon cartoon. As the video was wrapping up, Hna Sanchez looked at me and told me it was my turn to come up with a question for the ninos and to share the message. Good thing I was already brainstorming on this part. But it was amazing! There were probably over 20 kids and 15 or so adults. As I shared the message and engaged them in the lesson, I had all of their attention. I felt a surge of the Spirit as I talked about letting God help us and testifying to them of the truthfulness of these things. The next day, Hna Sanchez told me that it was a wonderful lesson. Several people had come up to her afterwards to congratulate her on training me so well and they thought I was ready to train someone! Wow! What a compliment! I'm not sure I'd be a perfect trainer, but....God calls us in our imperfections. I think it's a challenge I would willingly accept. We'll find out. I also don't know if I'll be staying here or not. Two weeks...we'll find out.

That's about it for now. It's short, but sweet. Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Schultz

 

 

 

Elder Santos's Birthday party! Feliz Cumple 21 años!

 Remember how I said the streets become rivers when it rains? This is basically where all the water of Laguna Seca drains down the mountain. Whoops!...we were on the wrong side.

 

 

 July 20 2013

I know I keep starting with this, but, my goodness, the week has gone by so rapidly! How does this keep happening? At the same time, the things from last week seem SO far away!

We had a great week! We're preparing three people for their baptism this coming Sunday. Two are about 9 years old and the other is...20 or 21. They're all so great! Teaching kids has been an interesting new learning experience for me. Trying to explain things on a much simpler level for the children to understand is difficult in a language I don't know perfectly. But, it's been fun! We use a memory card game to help teach the children about things of the gospel and they just LOVE it! I'm surprised sometimes that they're willing to sit down for that long, because sometimes I start to get antsy for something else before they do.

One of our children investigators, Gustavo, is quite the character. He always tends to attract a crowd of other young children in his lessons, so we've been teaching them as well. The other day, we had the chance to teach at least 7 other kids about the law of chastity. This is basically not to have sexual relations outside of marriage and to be faithful to your spouse after marriage. Or, as we explain it to the children- No making babies (or touching the bodies of others) before marriage. There are other aspects to chastity, so we also taught these young boys to not hit their future wives or other women and to avoid foul language and movies. Whether or not these other children ever get baptized is not really of importance right now, but if they can remember what we taught them...I think it can make all the difference in the world. :) Also, Gustavo sits in on the lessons for Elias, our older invvestigator with a baptismal date. He clearly admires Elias and wants to do everything he does. At any rate, Gustavo was sitting in on a lesson we were having with Elias. We were discussing a chapter in the Book of Mormon where a young man is instructed by God to build a boat to cross the ocean! But he has no idea how to build a boat. We asked Gustavo how he would feel if God asked him to build a boat. Did he know how to build a boat? He was very confident that he knew how. We were all surprised. Then he very matter ofr factly began to tell us how to make a paper boat. Oh my gosh, we were dying! I was laughing so hard it took me a little bit to compose myself. That is not a boat I want to cross the ocean in.

One more thing I've really come to realize and learn with these kids and with interactions with the less active members of the church here is how important it is for these kids to have a support system in the church and to keep learning. They accept the gospel because their hearts and minds are open, but that's not enough. If they do not continue to learn about the gospel, they won't be able to have a sure support to help their testimonies grow. There are so many less active members here who were baptized as children and then fell away because they never developed their own testimonies of these things. It is so important that they continue to learn. I'm a little sad I can't be with them as they grow up to help instruct them. We can only try to build a foundation of support and learning for them.

One of the best things this week was getting to go to the temple! My companera had two families from her first area that were going to be married and sealed in the temple as a family for time and all eternity! They were people I didn't know, but I was so incredibly happy for them. First off, I love the temple and the feeling of peace and comfort and support you can feel within your heart when you're inside. Second, the promises that are made in the temple are so incredibly powerful. Every person in there could sense what a wonderful blessing it was for these families! I was a little sad to think that it was not a family I had helped prepare for this step, but that was only a fleeting thought. I truly was SO happy for them! I love these families a lot and I barely know them. I hope I will get to serve in their area some day and be able to know them more. Their lives have been changed forever and they are so incredibly grateful for it! One thought while in the temple was how much I wanted to help others reach this point and be able to enjoy the same magnified Spirit that I felt in the temple and with the promises there. It gave me new energy for my missionary work. This is such a grand opportunity to help bless the lives of others! I must focus on that. :)

Well, I am out of time! I love you all!

 

One of our investigators has 20 new ducklings. This is just one. Cute...but quite smelly!

 

We have a card game we play with the kids to help them learn things about the gospel. They love it!

 

Though I look photo shopped into this picture, it really is a picture of me looking over Cuilapa on the way down the mountain.

 

 

Companera and I outside the temple.

 

Us and the 13 year old daughter of one of the families sealed in the temple.

 

Death by studying. This is what I have to look forward to in another year or so.