Let me just start by saying that the CCM is FAR superior to the
Missionary training center in Provo. Short food lines, immediate
language immersion, and real investigators. The CCM is wonderful! We
are also fed alot of food. Too much at times.

The first day here was very long. We had a midnight flight from LAX
to Guatemala and then we hit the ground running. No rest for the
overwhelmed. Everyone kept assuring us everything would be better
after the first week. But...I haven't really had much of a problem
with it. Yes, its hard. Yes, we don't have enough time to study
everything we´re supposed to study. But I love learning so much!
Also, there is a wonderful spirit here that we get to feel every day!
I love the CCM!

As I mentioned earlier, at the CCM, we get to learn from native
spanish speakers. They call us the ´Nortes´and them the natives. My
rommate and I try to sit by native speakers at least one meal a day.
They are the most humble and generous and sweet people! I think we
could all learn a lot from them. I already have. For example,
because I can´t speak up in meetings to answer questions both asked
and answered in spanish, I'm forced to listen to the latinos offer
their spiritual insight. Although I can´t understand, it's uplifting
and inspiring to hear the testimonies they have of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Another thing I've learned from them is when they sing.
Their pitch is terrible. No one's hitting the same key. But that
doesn't matter. They ALL sing. And they sing loud! It's likely one of
the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard.

I'm learning a lot spiritually as well. We had a devotional yesterday
(a spiritual talk, essentially) yesterday by one of the area 70, Elder
Duncan. It was amazing! Afterwards, our class (we´re known as a
district) got together and talked about what impressed us the most.
It was so wonderful to feel their testimonies through the things they
learned and to share those insights to grow together. I love my
district. We're all uniquely different in our expressions of our faith
in Christ in the gospel, but that´s what makes it so beautiful to see
their strength and commitment to their beliefs. While on that
topic, I love my companion! She and I are with each other pretty much
24/7. She has such a wonderful faith in the gospel and can be rather
reserved at times. I think this is good.

We had an earthquake this last week. It happened during our sports
time (deportes) we all thought it was thunder. Later that night
someone came into our room to tell us that we would have an earthquake
drill due to the quake that happened earlier that day. What?! We
didn't feel anything but they were concerned about aftershocks. Still
haven't felt anything.

Other fun fact- My name tag is spelled wrong. They said they would fix
it from Hermana Shultz to it's proper spelling. My teacher came in
yesterday with some name tags...but they were also wrong. Apparently
they were trying to give me some additional responsibilities. It read
(Elder Schultz), So close. But I'm am not worried. I'll have it
before I head out into the mission field.

I almost forgot to mention why I titled this message the way I did.
Due to the new age change, My companion and I are some of the oldest
girls here. Most of the young woman are 19 or 20. She was trying to
tell some latinos that we were older and she said´"Estoy abuelos."
This means "we´re grandparents´. We all found it to be hilarious.
There's a lot of mistakes that go into learning a language.

Also, an ammendment on packages: Do NOT put stickers of Jesus Christ
or the Virgin Mary or anything on packages. Just label it with my name
" Hermana Erika Schultz" Thanks!

One last thing. We get to teach a real person about the gospel here.
in Provo, they have roleplays. But that{s not so here. It was so nerve
wracking but things are going well! He{s asked some really great
questions lately. Like why do we have to pray? and {I don{t think god
has time for me." I assure you that the Lord does have time for you.
No matter where or who you are. I promise, he WANTS to have you speak
to him.

That{s all I have time for right now. Just be assured that I am well
and loving every moment. Still have lots of work to do in learning
the language, but I'm optimistic. Sorry for the hectic letter, we only
get 30 minutes on the computer. I love you all!


Love, Hermana Schultz

Letters From You to Me & Donations

Sweet mother of pearl, the time is almost upon us!

It's a very odd thing preparing for a mission. At first it seems to take forever for the months of waiting to go by. Then, the closer it gets, the faster it goes and it becomes a whirlwind of trying to fit every last little thing in before you have to catch your flight. A part of me is panicking, not really sure that I'm packing enough or the right stuff, another part is excited, another is nervous, and finally the predominating emotion is just kind of dumbfounded numb.  This is actually happening!  

But it's going to be great!  I truly am so excited to go.  It is definitely intimidating though.

You know what helps shake away those intimidation jitters? Letters!

That's right, folks, I love letters.  Not necessarily 'love letters', but letters which will be loved.  So if you're debating whether or not to send me a letter...I'd stop fighting yourself and just do it.

As you can see, I have written my MTC and Mission Office mailing addresses up in the side column of the blog for your convenience.

I will be at the MTC for a month and a half from March 20th.  Then, after that time, mail should be sent ot the mission office.  

There are specific instructions for mailing packages.  From what I've heard, it can be pretty iffy as to whether or not your package will actually reach me.   

Some helpful hints:  Don't send anything valuable.  It's probably just not going make it unscathed.  Although, if you desperately want to send something, I have heard rumors that if you put lots of stickers of the Virgin Mary on the outside of the package and have the return address be from 'Sister..." then it won't be opened up and filtered through....just a rumor.

Also, if people are interested in contributing to my mission, my older sister is handling my finances. If you want to contribute, write a check to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with the Memo saying something like 'Erika's Mission.'  Then, you will need to mail it in to my sister.  (This is so she knows how much of my monthly payment she needs to submit to the church.   For safety purposes, I am not putting her direct address on here, but you can contact her via email to get an address.  Her email address is brenna_schultz (at) hotmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you guys while I'm away!  I really really do love receiving mail.  Just saying...:)  

This is probably the last time I will get to personally post on this blog before I fly out, so I wish the best to you all and hope to see you all well again in 18 months!

My Mission- I Chose to Accept It

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission.  You have four months to prepare. We will have a plane waiting for you at seventeen hundred hours at the end of the four months.   This message will self destruct in 10 seconds."

I dove behind a desk as the tape burst into oblivion in a puff of smoke. 
I'd received my call. There was really no need to think about it. I would accept it.


Although this is not an entirely accurate depiction of how I received my call for my mission, it kind of has a similar point.  I had accepted the call the go on a mission.  However, my decision occurred before I even received the paperwork explaining where I'd go and when.

There are some things that you just know you have to do.  A compass inside you points the direction you need to go and if you're listening closely, you follow. It may be scary, it may be life changing...but it's going to be the greatest thing that has happened to you! I love moments like this!   And it's how I ended up filling out the paperwork to dedicate a year and a half of my life to a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...o en espanol, La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dias.

During my mission, I will be inviting people to learn more about and increase their relationship with Jesus Christ.  I will have the opportunity to help change people's lives by finding that which can add the most joy into their lives.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that thing-most desirable above all else.

Since I have many friends and family who would like to know what I'm up to while I'm away, I've opted to create this blog to post the emails I will send to my parents, so everyone can share in my adventures. Selfishly, I also want to have a record of the things I've written home about-in hopes that they will keep from getting forgotten.
My mom will be in charge (I think) of maintaining this page and in updating posts with my emailed letters from Guatemala.  Hence the name...

For those that are curious, I have exactly a week before I report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Guatemala, and six days before I fly out. I will do my best to update with one final post before flying out of the country.

I hope you will all follow along with me on this wonderful opportunity I've chosen to take.  And, I hope my letters will also serve to be uplifting and inspiring to those who read them.