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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/12/2013

This week was interesting because Hermana Sanchez was sick for pretty much all of it. We would leave the house, but after a few hours she would feel sick again and we would end up returning early. So, in many ways, it felt as though we didn't accomplish anything, but that's not really true. I'll hit the highlights of the week, so this might be kind of short today.

One, I touched a monkey. It sat in my lap too. I was sooo uncomfortable! Can you tell in the photos? The poor thing was so bloated in the stomach after 18 years of greasy, non natural food. The owner had no issue with this, though.

 

Two, we had an emergency house cleaning because we had an inspection the following day. We heard about it in our Zone Meeting with other missionaries on Wednesday and then we raced home and started to clean....for FOUR HOURS! I thought it was a bit excessive...there's really only so much we can do to redeem our humble little house from its rather lowly condition. But, on the plus side, we received two candy bars from the older couple missionaries that inspected our house. One for having a clean house, the other for living here. As the Hermano said 'It's the closest to the Amazon he's seen yet'. But really, we're quite accustomed to it. I actually like my little house and living in Laguna Seca.

 

The rains have begun though. The serious downfalls. Looking forward to some furture days of nonstop rain. Sigh.

 

Some miracles in the area. One, we started to visit a young woman who we found out was baptized some years ago. She hasn't gone to church in a long time and we invited her to the Noche Mormona on saturday and promised to pass by to pick her up. But Hermana Sanchez felt sick again so we didn't pass by and completely forgot about it. Until, near the end of Noche Mormona a patojo tugged on my arm and told me a woman was looking for me. What? It was her! Leticia Tecun. She had come all on her own! I know it seems small, but really, it's a huge blessing!

Also, we have another Leticia who desperately wants to be baptized, but due to an issue with her spouse, we didn't think she could be. However...we called Presidente the other day and explained her situation. SHE CAN BE BAPTIZED! Literally, her greatest desire right now is to be baptized and we are both SO happy that we can help her do so and while we're both still here to see her through!

 

With her baptism, we are going to meet branch goal for the year. Although there hasn't been any baptisms in 4 years before now, the branch had a goal for 6 baptisms. It seemed so lofty. But...we're actually going to meet it! Holy Smokes, what a miracle.

Also, one of our converts, is already preparing for a mission! Elias has a strong desire to serve and is going to start working on his mission papers! He has a year before he could actually leave, but that's still incredible! We're so excited.

The Lord truly loves this area- I'm convinced of it more and more every day. And He also loves Hna Sanchez and I. We can feel it. What a wonderful life!

Love you all! That's the quick and short of my life this week! Hope you are all doing well!

Love

Hermana Schultz

The few, the proud, District Cuilapa

Pictures!

 

We thought we were going to be climbing this to find some cascades.

 

This ended up being our path. I loved it! It was great. It was a nice hike. Precarious and lots of boulderhopping. LOVED it! Love doing that kind of hiking! 

 

And here's our waterfall! Ït's smaller than I expected. Naturally made, too. ;)

 

The REAL waterfall.

 

Map of quaint little Leguna Seca(Not completely filled up)

 



Milagros and opposition

7/22/2013

 

In the Book of Mormon, it says that there must be opposition in all things or we would not be able to choose the good, or, in some cases, to appreciate the miracles. This week has been one of miracles.

It was approaching transfers, the time every 6 weeks when it is determined if a missionary will leave or stay. The President of the mission determines this and we don't find out until the Sunday before the change. At any rate, we were both worried about this, but in part because we began to see so many miracles! All we wanted was one baptism together.... well, on Wednesday we discovered some records of individuals who did not appear baptized! They were participating members of the church, but had not been baptized with the correct name! Thus, we were able to baptize Winston Gomez this Sunday! I was afraid I wouldn't feel the joy from it because we really didn't have to help him prepare, but I did. I was so happy for him at his baptism this Sunday. It was truly marvelous. As always when we approach something good like that, there was opposition. We had to change the time suddenly because of a training for some leaders at the iglesia and the baptismal clothes didn't fit very well...there were several things that were trying to frustrate the work. But things went smoothly because we were one step ahead on all counts. Thank goodness for the miracle!

 

Also, we have another person who doesn't appear to be baptized. He's less active, so this is actually an amazing opportunity for him. He wants to be cleaned of his sins and Viola! he can be once again. He can start over new! We actually get to teach him all his lessons, but we're going really quickly with it because he already knows it all. Another miracle!

Then, Leticia and her son Gustavo suddenly said they want to be baptized and set a date in August. What! Leticia still has to get married or stop living with her 'esposo' before she can get baptized, but she actually committed to a date!

With all these miracles, Hermana Sanchez and I were incredibly sad at the prospect of her leaving.

But...the Lord loves us A LOT! She's staying with me for another 6 weeks! With faith, we'll be able to help all of our investigators with fechas make the wonderful commitment of baptism!! So incredible!

That is really my biggest news for the week. I just can't help but marvel at how far I have come since I started. I love this area. I love Laguna Seca' (apart from my being eaten alive by possibly the most aggresive and invisible mosquitos ever despite my efforts). I love the people. I truly love it. I am so happy to be able to be here for another exchange with my companion so we can both help our investigators be baptized and continue to live the gospel! I really can't express it enough.

The people here express so much love and are so hospitable! Am I gushing... Perhaps a little.

One more note before I go. The mission zone has changed. Mission Sur where I am now mostly consists of Guatemala City and two other areas that are not in the capital. That means that I could potentially be spending a fair amount of my mission in a city. Not actually sure I'm excited about that. I'd much rather stay in somewhere like Laguna Seca where it's peaceful and beautiful. One perk to the city would be the decrease in mosquitos. But, who knows. :) Ok, I have to go. I love you all! Take care!

A tarantula we found on our front porch one morning. Hermana Sanchez wanted to capture it to be our mascot, but when we tried, we both chickened out and ended up just killing it. 

 

Hermana Francisca and her daughter, daughter in law and grandkids.

 

This blog is dedicated to many pictures sent from my mission. I hope you enjoy!

                   7/15/13                  

I really love packages!

Especially ones with peanut butter! YUM!

Peanut butter=excitement

Can't seem to turn this pic, sorry.

 

Divisions for a day. This is Hermana Alvarez.

 

P-Day! We went to El Pino Laguna and met up with another District.

 

Agustin, recently baptized.

 

The Sister of Agustin.

 

The neice of  Agustin. I LOVE this sweet little girl!

 

There was a birthday party we were invited to. They do some very familiar activities.

 

Birthday girl, Cristel, taking the first bite of cake.

 

The store in Laguna Seca

 

The futbol field. Used heavily every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.

 

P-Day. I got to impress the boys with my football skills. American football. And with futbol. I love sports!

 

Some of the gang for this P-day.

 

We had LOTS of leftover tortillas and the fridge was over flowing. The picture as of right now will not transfer over.

 

Putting the tortillas to use for Hna Sanchez's 17th month in the mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Busy Growing

Once again, the week has come so rapidly, I don't even know what to put. I put much of my time into sending pictures of this week, so there might not be time to say everything.

 

It has been a great week. Although it started off flailing. There was a day when my companera and I felt so incredibly depressed and down. Abandoned. And without the presence of the Spirit in our work here. It is so critical to have the Spirit to teach, but we just couldn't feel it! The end of that day was spectacular because the Lord, in a way, answered our prayers. We had an amazing lesson during which Hna Sanchez and I just felt overpowered by the Spirit. It was amazing!
 

We have been doing a lot of division with members this week where I will go with one sister of the church (not a missionary) and Hna Sanchez with another so we can cover more ground. It has been a great learning and growing experience for me. However, during one of these, I was in the area where there used to be a Laguna. It started raining. And raining and raining. We ended up slipping out during a pause in the down pour, but the laguna was no longer dry. We had to wade through mid calf high water with mud, sludge and...I tried not to think about what else I knew was in there. Almost lost my shoes in the sludge. That was an adventure.
 

Also had divisions with a Sister missionary in the capital. She came here with me, so I was basically in charge. Great learning experience and an opportunity for me to lead on a lot of things. We ended up challenging two people to baptism, so we have baptismal fechas. They still need lots of work though to help them actually be ready for baptism, but we will get there.
 

This weekend was our Conferencia de Rama. We had the first counselor of the mission come from the Capital to give a talk in the church. There were so many people and one of our investigators who always promises to come to church actually came!!! It was a great conference and were were so excited by all the people. The ninos did a great job at their song during the conference. I was so proud!! But I'm a little sad I won't be working with them more on it. They love singing the hymns.

Our Noche Mormona was such a blast! There were tons of people and the games ended up being a big hit. It seems like the ward seems to be interacting more, and that is so great to see them growing together.

 

I'm out of time and I can't think right now what else I need to add.

I loive you all and love hearing from you all. I will try to keep you all updated as best I can. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Hermana Schultz

The National Tree

 

My Compa and I at the Laguna 

 

Elder Santos and I. Not too close. Both Being obedient here. :) 

MORE TO COME...............!