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