May 5, 2014

This is going to be short this week.

Highlights. Although no investigators came to church this week we had several less actives that came: Lisbett, Marvin and Lorena.

We had transfers this week and I went to an area that is a little more up in the mountains. It was so great! Lots of trees, cool weather and rain! I felt like I was in Washington! We had to heat water on the stove to take a shower though...they don't have a water heater for the shower. But...still great.

We had an activity in the ward this weekend. We gave a short message and did an activity that really helps demonstrate how to listen to the Holy Spirit. Then the youth did a skit, “Whose Line is it Anyway”, style. It was a lot of fun. Later we ate Shukos. The word shuko is a word meaning dirty, but they call it that because it's something usually sold on the streets. But it's basically a hot dog with guacamole, onions, chile, ketchup, mustard and picante. Pretty tasty. :)

Love seeing the miracles here. I am growing fond of this area. :)

And...that's all I have time for today.! Love you all and hope you're all doing well!

Remember, send us your prayers! We missionaries want all the help we can get!

Love,

Hna Schultz

an example of the houses here, how they tend to have additional stuff built on top.

Stuffing plastic bags and old shirts in the door because we thought our house was going to flood with water in the night

Our goal tracker to see if we're below the mark, at the mark or exceeding our goals. 

April 28, 2014

My messages may start to be shorter...I received permission to start using some of my hour of writing to start searching for what I need to do to apply to Graduate school. Have to fly!

We have continued seeing miracles in our area. Normally the people who don't attend a church (and hence are more open minded) are few and far between. But lately we have been finding several! I know it's because of prayer. I've been praying for the Lord's help in finding people and we are receiving the blessings.

We've also been working really hard and it always feels great to return home at night and feel like we accomplished all that we could that day. No better feeling.

Also, we've been working with less active members. One of them, Lisbet, has not gone to church in 2 or 3 years. She has a testimony of the church but...just doesn't go. We had an amazing lesson with her where we talked about faith. She has such a great knowledge of the gospel, that really, we just asked questions and she came to the conclusion on her own. At the end...you could tell that she understood the importance of going to church. And sure enough...she went to church! We're going to keep helping her to feel that enthusiasm to go to church.

Things are going great here. It's getting hot here, but the afternoons are generally comfortable. Some interesting notes; I don't think I've yet mentioned....for the first time we have cellulars in the mission!! (4 weeks ago...:D) It was so weird getting used to it. I didn't know how to answer it.

Also, they have me playing piano in the ward...but, when I lifted the covering the first day...it wasn't a piano. It was an ORGAN! I had no idea what to do. Thankfully we arrived a little earlier so I could tinker around with it a bit. Interesting...very interesting, Want to learn now.

And last...the men here are not discreet in whistling or calling after women. Their indiscretion reaches SO far...that they even have a horn in their cars that does the wolf whistle...or I'm not sure how to call it. But when they pass a `pretty lady', they honk their...”whistle”. We normally just ignore it completely. :D Or laugh about it.

Ok, have to go! Love you all, take care!

Hna Schultz

April 21, 2014

Hola family and friends!

This week was...amaazing!

We entered with kind of low expectations. I was sure that we would not be able to do ANYTHING on account of it being something called Semana Santa. The vast majority of the population is Catholic (or was) so there's one week before Easter where almost no one works and they all go to the beach. The streets were barren, and a few days we found the street marked with squares of a carpet of wood chips and seeds in designs for a parade that would pass by. (We never saw the parade, although I was equipped and ready with my camera.)

We accomplished a lot this week despite the lack of people working. We set baptismal dates with 9 people this week. First, we are teaching a man who distanced himself from all churches after his wife left him for a pastor. It's something that cut him really deep, but he's learning to overcome it. He accepted a date, although we have to work with him to help him see the blessings of going to church.

Another is a family that has been preparing, but have not been going to church. Blanca and her two kids, Estefania and Estrella. Once again they accepted a new date to work towards. They too, have difficulties in attending church.

Challenged two kids of a less active family to be baptised. One of them, Jeferson (10) is super excited about it. The other, Abraham (13) is still a tad unsure. But, I know he will be baptized too. The parents, Flor and Gustavo also came to church this week! Yes!

We found a young woman, Mirna, who we always greet in the street and started teaching her. She wants to know if the church is true. She is preparing to be baptized as well.

Then...a family Luis and Dinora with whom we need to work a lot, but who accepted the date before they knew what we were asking. "We were thinking of a date..." " We accept!" Haha, love it.

It has been a miracle this week. Truly, it has. We have also found new areas where we should go look to find people. We taught a member who lives in something like a small Laguna Seca in the midst of the city! Hna Zelaya loved being there as much as I did! We decided we need to visit these areas more. I love the communities here. Not the neighborhoods of fenced houses and white houses....but of grey cement buildings, one room homes where a family of five or more live together and their neighbor's front door is two feet beside theirs. The streets are narrow, the youth generally delinquient. But the families are close knit. The neighbors know each other. And they rely on God. I love these places more than I love a comfy couch and tile floors. I feel like it's easier for them to understand what is important in life. 

That's all I have time for today! I have to get going, but know that I am so happy to be here. Love the new experiences that we have every day. Take care! Love you all!

-Hna Schultz

April 14, 2014

  

Never in my life have I been so mistrusted, so disrespected, so feared and so hated as I have in the mission. But never have I been so trusted with sincere secrets and problems, so revered as a servant of the Lord, so admired and so loved.

In this week....

Traffic here is crazy. We have to pass several busy streets to get to certain parts of our area. I HATE crossing traffic. But it turns out that may not be the most dangerous part. We were walking on the sidewalk when a car almost hit me! The person had jetted across a lane of traffic, from the opposite direction, trying to get to a parking spot. Really startled us.

We called the Elders to come give a blessing to a member who is preparing to have surgery. We're going to go check on her this week.

We've had some cold weather lately. About two days of freezing winds, then it returned to hot. This...is Guatemala. :)

In lessons this week we have found another family that seem really receptive to the messages. They have the same problem as the majority of people....they work like crazy! So it's hard to find them at a good time during the week to teach. We have had other great lessons and experiences. One man, shared some of his most painful memories and problems with us. We have been in the right place at the right time to find people who needed to hear our message. It's amazing to see the confidence and the appreciation that people have for us.

At the same time, one of our families that was preparing to be baptized are now hiding from us. Their landlord doesn't like us to enter in the building. I think they have started to cause problems for the family.

Some things I have learned this week in my scripture study is that sometimes to feel the Spirit, is not enough to believe or understand it. In order to understand the significance of the Gospel and why they feel the Spirit when we talk about it...they have to search for the source diligently and have a desire to understand it. (3 Nephi 11) Also, the Spirit of contention is of the devil...I usually think of this between men. If we're fighting, it's the devil who is prompting this....but...it is also when we are contending with the Lord's will. When we're not in accord with what He wants us to do. I want to say that I know that it is much easier to agree with Him than it is to contend with His will. Maybe we don't always know WHY something is happening, but if we accept that His hand is in it...we will be able to accomplish and learn when He has in store for us. And that brings a huge amount of peace to life.

Those are my updates for this week. I love you all and will try to send more pictures soon. I'm not sure if these new computers have viruses and I am afraid to connect my camera to email them... I'll either get over my fear or find a way to send them... :)

Love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Schultz

March 31, 2014

This week has been amazing. Although we have not had baptisms, we have been finding people who are ready to listen and want to change their lives. The Lord has really played a role in putting us in the right place at the right time.

The other day, I was dying of thirst. Normally I just endure it and wait till we get home, but this day I thought 'we should ask for water from a member'. So we went and she had a friend over. We ended up sharing a small message and it turns out that she wants to learn more about the church! How incredible! Small miracles. They add up to Salvation!

Have been blessed to learn a lot this week and to have a wonderful time with my companion. As normally is the trend, when we have learned all that we needed to learn, the Lord gives us a new challenge. Although I still feel like there is a lot of good I could do in this area, the Lord knows that I have other work to do. Tomorrow I leave Tesoro and go to...who knows where.

I can't help wondering what my next area be like. My next companion...my next challenges. But, they will all be for my good.

Yesterday we watched the General Women's Conference. It was amazing! With all the women of the church who have made the covenant of baptism watching, it was a very very special conference. I could not tell you what the talks were about exactly, because I had other thoughts mulling around in my head, but the Spirit was strong throughout and I felt a warm peace and joy to participate in it. During one of the songs, where women from different parts of the world sang, they showed people from Guatemala!! They were singing in Ketchi...or Quiche. I always confuse the two! We were super excited to see them singing. And I liked the idea that my friends and family watching could see a little piece of Guatemala!

I'll be sure to update everyone next week about where I'm at and with whom. For now, I have to get going. I love the mission! :)

Hna Schultz

March 24, 2014

This morning started off with some excitement. First, as we boarded the bus, I started telling my companion that I have become accustomed to crazy bus drivers. Then we realized very quickly that this was an exceptionally crazy bus driver. Skidding to stops, crashing into cars (quite literally)... We practically sprinted off the bus when he stopped. I think we were afraid that he was going to start driving off again.

Then, as we were crossing the overpass on foot, a tiny herd of goats passed us, the sheperds behind with a rope whip, tight knots forming what looked like a weapon. All I could think of was 'Cat of Nine Tails'.

This week in general was pretty normal for us.

We found an amazing family yesterday and started teaching them. They are an amazing example in their relationship, especially for Guatemala! They work together in their plans, never come to a decision unless they both agree and just have a wonderful relationship that just floors me! They do have some desafios, such as divorce with previous spouses and then to get married, but I really think they could be a golden family for us.

We have started to visit our members a lot more in hopes that this will help us have more references, more lessons with members, but also to fortify our members.

We had a great conference for women in the church yesterday for the Anniversary of the Relief Society. It was so wonderful! I loved the messages. Especially when they talked about being women of faith and what characteristics we have. I love how the church EDIFIES women so much. In our classes in church today, too, we talked about the Moral Strength of Women. It's something that is naturally rooted inside of us. We generally tend to be more moral than men. It's the nature of women. Love it! The thing is, we still have to fortify it and continue to grow in faith the increase it, but it's something that we have within us.

I LOVE the gospel. Love it! I love being able to share it, too. :D

I have to get going, but keep going strong. Smile. Love life. And love those around you. Sometimes they need it as much as you do.

Love you all!

Hna Schultz

March 17, 2014

Miracles and blessings. We often don't see them until there's a point when we REALLY need them. Several times this week we have been in the right time at the right places. For example, talking to people in the street who we later find out had experiences that day preparing them to accept our visits. Or someone in the street who practically demanded that we baptize his son. He says he never parks at this store but today he did and it's not a coincidence that we passed . Also, we have been able to find so many other people who want to listen to our message.

                 Sometimes how we feel after an interesting lesson.

Our investigator that is 11 years old almost said she couldn't see us anymore because her church scolded her and her mom, but when we talked to her mom, she said that it was fine and they ended up coming to church!

We were passing by the house of one of our investigators and as we were leaving we paused and pondered if we should knock on this one door. As we sat staring, the door swung open from the wind. So took advantage of that and started talking with the woman inside. She said we could come back. It turns out we stopped by JUST at the right time. We are going to meet with them today to teach them and hopefully help their relationship and prepare them for baptism. It was amazing. Also, we have new members in the ward who are super animated to help us and we are very animated to have them help us! Blessings!

I have seen this sign for all my time here in Tesoro and only now have taken this picture. 'Todos los chapines (guatemaltacans) usamos El Libro de Mormon.'

This week I feel like I have learned some things and I want to share one. Sometimes we put our priorities on things like goals, numbers and success in this manner. But, if the people around us get cast aside, what is better? Which does God like better, goals or people? Where are your priorities in your activities? How we treat others is far more important than achieving 100% those goals.

It's great being able to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I know that it has been a true blessing. He just wants to help us receive blessings. Que maravillosa es la obra. I love being a missionary. :)

Ok, have to get going. Love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Hna Schultz

                            It just made me laugh...had to share.

                        Saving the world, one cockroach at a time.

March 3, 2014

          


      volcano!!!!

Hello family and friends!

It has been an interesting week. I think more than anything we've been recuperating from last week’s busyness. We're in search of new people to teach, as we seem to have baptized all of the others. ,) This has been a bit of a trial. One of the things that constantly strikes me, however, is how I know I could never do this alone. As a missionary we are given the promise to have the Holy Ghost be our companion and it is this Holy Ghost that will testify to people and help them change. Thank goodness for that! Without it, I would never be able to 'convince' people to change their lives completely to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Never. I still stand by the fact that I could NEVER be a salesman. But thankfully, unlike being a salesman, I really do know that this IS something that everyone needs. Still, I feel like I have a LOT to learn. At the same time, I know that I don't have to be able to give a 'sales pitch' over baptism by the proper authority...I just have to help people feel for themselves that it is true. That's such a comforting thought for an imperfect human being.

Other things that I have learned this week have been about charity. Charity is the pure love of Christ and helps us in all aspects of our lives. When we have charity, we are more patient, kind, caring, loving, charitable...etc... so many great attributes. One of the ways to gain charity is to learn to love yourself. If you see yourself as a child of God and feel His love, you can share that with others. Understanding the importance you have in the eyes of God is key to helping you love others. So beautiful! I learned this when studying for a class we were going to give Sunday. I have discovered with this...that I love teaching about the principles of the gospel. It makes me so happy to study the scriptures to share things with others.

Also this week, met our first Agnostic person here in Guatemala! Almost knocked me off my feet in surprise. Then we discovered he's from Spain...makes more sense now. Truth be told, I really loved talking with him. It was refreshing to talk to someone with a new point of view, and, in truth a point of view similar to the one I had had before baptism. I know the difference it can make in his life. I know that although he's happy and content with his life, that there is something missing. A small hole that nothing seems to fill. I know that it's the gospel that fills that void. I really hope we can help him see these things. That he can feel the joy that I have felt in the gospel. It was wonderful to be reminded of my conversion and the change it has meant for me. Hopefully, one day, it will mean as much to this person one day too.

The last update is that we were able to watch a volcano erupting yesterday. As we left Sunday morning to go round up people to go to church, we noticed a cloud puffing out of the mountaintop...at an odd right angle. Obviously, smoke was coming out of the mountain, then getting caught the current of a higher jet stream. Fascinated, we took pictures and watched closely to see the smoke growing. We continued on with our quest to rise the sleeping church goers and just before we entered the church we took another picture. The smoke was much bigger, but still...we couldn't really do anything about it. I must admit, more than anything, I was fascinated! I wanted to whip out text books on volcanoes and read exactly what was going on and everything. With that...I think I have come to realize that I would be the type of person to die from a meteor crashing into me. I would just be so fascinated (thinking about science) that I would just stare and watch. But, no worries, if there was any danger to us here, they would have already informed us. It stopped erupting (from what I could see) after church. (Blessings of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. ,)

That's about it for today. I have to get going! Les escribire la siguiente semana!

Con amor,

Hermana Schultz

February 24, 2014

Wow! What an amazing week it has been. I have so much to share. This week we worked so hard to bring to pass the baptism of four marvelous people! Eleonora, Mario and Rosi and Nirsa were baptized this Saturday. As you can see in one of the photos, were were EXHAUSTED! I, for one, was stressed out a bit running around making sure everything was in order. So many things ALMOST didn't work out, including us getting trapped in the bathroom while Eleonora was changing into her white clothes for the baptism. Really, we mostly just laughed at that one. But it is amazing to see how the Lord blesses and prepares the way to help people be baptized. He WANTS His children t to be baptized by the proper authority.

Everyone kept congratulating us, but we really don't feel like we deserve it. Sure, we worked hard and we're happy, but it really wasn't OUR work. Complete credit goes to the Lord.

With so many baptisms, we have hit a small obstacle. We almost don't have investigators! Haha, it's a small price to pay. We're so happy to be working in the mission to help people know of the restored gospel.

This week more than others, I have been able to be a witness to repentance. There is a sincere pain that comes when a person senses they have done something wrong and have a desire to change. The process hurts. There are consequences and things have to be mended, but the finished project is so much better. It has been a blessing to see this transformation but it has helped me gain a testimony that truly people can change through faith in Christ and relying on him. It has been wonderful.

I am almost out of time so just going to explain the photos.

 Baptism of Eleonora and Mario

Hna Leon and I dead tired.

 Farewell dinner for Elder Santos with the Family Ruiz.

 Baptism of Rosi and Nirsa-they invited so many members of their family!

 Jesus Pepsi and Coca-Cola...which do you choose?

 And we have an example of some wicked tan lines....was I really that white!!?

. 

Ok, family, I love you so much and will talk to you next week! Love you!

Hna Schultz

February 17, 2014

Hola hola!

Not a whole lot to report since the last time I wrote.

We went to the temple and it was MARVELOUS...as usual. But more so this time. Amazing. I never wanted to leave. I wanted to be there for another three hours...or the whole day, whichever.

We had a plan to go to the Zoo, but after we left the temple and ate lunch, there really wasn't much time, so instead we went to a mall spent some time there.

We were able to listen to a Seventy, Elder Ochoa, for Valentine's Day. It was so enlightening. We always learn so much in these conferences and it was marvelous to listen to one of the leaders of the church. I was able to sing after the first prayer and Elder Ochoa thanked me for bringing in the Spirit that much more and for the prayer in music. :D

We have set plans to baptize two families this next Saturday. Eleonora and her husband, Mario and the familia Salazar. We are so excited for them.

Best part is that I will actually get to see them be baptized. I was so worried that I would be changed in this transfer, but...nope. Only a few people are leaving in this transfer. Elder Santos, Elder Hernandez and Hermana Sierra.

Well...I don't feel like I have much else to say...I will write next week.

Love you all!

Take care!

Hna Schultz

See, we never have any fun. :D

Sorry blog keeper cannot get this picture to upright.