Elder Escobedo is a real Guatemalan with his bag.

Making Chuchitos

Crazy Friends

I helped decorate all this for the choir

Elder Card and I

Elder Shultz and I

Star Blade! Inside joke that I love

Three Generations - Elder Card, His trainer and I

Look who I found

Handsome new tie

Merry Christmas - December 26, 2011

The call was amazing. I really really loved using Skype and not only being able to hear your voices but being able to see you. I loved seeing you smile. I really hope President lets us do it for Mother's Day and next Christmas. That is a bummer that you both were sick for Christmas. I loved my package with the amazing ties that everyone has commented about and the yummy candy and food I love and the picture calendar was the best of all. Then to top it all off I got to talk to you with Skype. I love breakfast casserole. Tell Nana and Grandpa I love them. How crazy with the weather in Utah. And to think here the day after Cbristmas we are playing volleyball outside and sweating like crazy. It was a good week but at the same time the work here in Magnolia is not going anywhere and that has been really hard on me. But it is really teaching me a lot. I am learning more patience, more faith, more love, and more hope. I'm really trying to put all my faith in the Lord that I can be successful in His work. That is way cool that people are doing nice things like that. I want to do things like President Maravilla as I get older and help less fortunate kids have Christmas. I love time with family and I really look forward to it in a year when I return home. Corinne's kids look so big and cute in the calendar, Kimbree is a doll. Puzzles and movies and other fun things sound so great. I will do a lot when I come back. So changes are next week and I really think I'm going to go. But I want to leave some great stuff in Magnolia before I go so this week is work harder and be more obedient week to receive the blessings. I wish you a happy New Year. I really think time is going to fly by before we know it. Hope you feel better too. I hope sis is doing well I really love her too. You're my family and I'm blessed to have you. I love you so much and love seeing you and talking to you and talking about you. I will try to send some pics from my Christmas time but there is kinda a lot so it might talk a couple weeks. Love you and am excited to talk to you next week.

Christmas Phone Call - December 19, 2011

I don't know exact details about what time yet, just know it's on Christmas. I think today we will get more details and be able to tell our families. I did however receive some news about the Christmas phone call. President said that for Christmas we can skype video chat our families. I will receive more info today and let you know. If you want to skype but don't know how to use skype call David and he even has a camera you can use if you don't have one. He will get you all set up. Will the family be there for the call? I don't know what it will be like, only that we go around to members houses and get lots of tamales and we are planning a zone Christmas meal Saturday. I knew there was a reason I really loved the Bountiful temple, it's because I went to the open house. Guatemala is one of the most blessed countries in central America because they are the only one with 2 temples. The Philippines have 2 temples. I had no idea. There is a temple almost complete in Honduras and I have heard rumor of President Monson going to dedicate it. The temple dedication and culture night were such a blessing to be a part of I really increased my love and testimony of the temple from being able to watch them. Who was the singer for the concert? This Wednesday we get to listen to the church Christmas choir. I'm excited to listen to their performance. The party sounds fun and I'm glad Jess went and the family was together. I love our family and I want to play with the little kids when I get back. You both are lucky, a long trip to the Philippines and now you have off work until the 3. District jobs are pretty amazing. You have such a better job then you had before that makes me very happy. We had the mission Christmas party today and it was in the theater and dining hall of Xetulu, the amusement park. The whole mission was there and I saw Elder Heaps, El Card, and so many other of my new friends I have made. Then we saw acts by each of the zones. The sister from our zone did both her native dances again, another played piano really well, others sang really really well. One elder made his own song and sang and played guitar, he most likely is going to become a star after the mission. There is so much talent in the mission. I really want to learn how to play the piano after the mission. I learned a little here and can play not too bad with my right hand. After the show we talked with everyone and took pics. Then we had a delicious chicken and pasta lunch. I was surprised with your Christmas package and I'm very excited to see what is in it. You spoil me so much. I am very excited and counting down the days until I can talk to you. I can't wait to hear your voice, I have been thinking and talking about it all week. Less then one week. We might even be able to skype if you would like to and I can see your face too. Not sure what will be more of my plans for Christmas but it will be nice. I also heard that Jessica's family is sending me a package too. They really love me and that is special to me too. Changes are the 4th of January and I think I will have some. Oh I heard some cool news from an elder in my last area of Samayac. One woman and her 3 sons that I contacted and started to teach before I left got baptized. That made me so happy to hear that. I was amazed and thought, that is someone I found and planted the seed of the gospel. Made me think about all the times I don't have success. Who knows what my efforts for them will bring in the future, so it is important that I always give my all to them and work hard depending on the Lord. I am filled with happiness right now and know it will be magnified by 100s and 100s when I talk to you. I love you and send my prayers and gratitude for having you as my mom. Until Sunday love you and have a great Christmas.
Love Son

Stake Cultural Night and a Baptism

Estrella

Temple Dedication - December 12, 2011

Saturday was the cultural night for the temple. I got to watch the video. There was 2,050 or more kids from all around Guatemala and each stake did a different dance with traditional clothing. It was so awesome. Very colorful. The kids did so well. President Uchtdorf said after the first session he and his wife wanted to go to the second and they wanted a third it was so good. He kept saying if people say we the Mormons can't celebrate then they need to watch the video of the cultural night. Sunday was the dedication and I went to all 3 sessions in the stake center it was so good. I saw the corner stone ceremony and learned that it has a space to put in artifacts, not sure what is in there but there is stuff. So I started thinking that I think every temple where it says dedicated and the year is a space for things, crazy. President Uchtdorf was so funny with the cornerstone. He kept making little comments that had me laughing a lot. He would say oh yeah this is coming along nice, I like this. And call someone else over you got to try this, you're very good at this. He was a hoot. Then in the session it was so amazing. Stories of the sacrifice for the temple and the love of the people here in Guatemala. He said on one trip here outside of a church his wife found a member in normal clothes and said what a beautiful shirt, the guy took off his only shirt and gave it to her and they never got his name. What love and service. The dedication prayer was amazing. Every session was spiritually powerful and amazing. I'm so glad I went to all 3 and can't wait to go to the temple again when I get home. He said come to the temple and always have a current recommend. He also told a story by a famous author but I can't remember who but it was about Martin the shoe maker who was told the Lord was coming to him but he never saw him. He later discovered that he had come in his service to people outside his shop that needed help and by showing his love for them he showed his love for Christ. And read in the new testament if you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me. So wonderful. I remember going to an open house as a kid but I can't remember which one. Which one was it? and did we go to a dedication ever? I want to say I remember part of it. The Christmas party sounds way fun. I'm glad you liked it and Jess went too. How cool that Jess is friends again with Diana, Tara, and Andrew. Sounds like a very fun time. I'm excited for the package. You spoil me. Jessica and her family said they are sending me one too. How loving they are to me too. I love In-n-out Burger. That is great that he liked it, how could you not. Nana and grandpa went with me but only I ate because it was later. We need to take them again. I still can't believe all the damage either. Have you taken pics? You were very lucky with only the fence that is easy to fix. The Stevens only had a little to their fence and some shingles off the roof but were blessed too. Crazy Utah weather gets more and more loco (that's crazy) every year. The months are going very fast. I almost have a year in the mission. It feels sometimes slow but more I feel that when a month starts it is almost over. Only 2 weeks til Christmas. I will miss breakfast casserole but I will be thinking of you and the family a lot. I am so so excited for our call. I can't wait. I heard we are having a Christmas party for the mission and also a lunch party as a zone. So I will let you know how that goes. I keep trying to work hard to make you really proud. I love you so much and all you do for me. You're the best and I love you and I'm eternally grateful you're my mom and we can be an eternal family. I hope you are working on going back to the temple soon even if for now it is only to do sessions. It will be a big blessing and prepare us for when we are united again and you can come to the temple with me. I would love that. I love you and send all my love. Oh and last week I mailed a letter to Corinne. Love you and hugs and kisses. Love Son

Missing the Cold - December 5, 2011

I have really missed talking to you too. It was very nice of Nana and Grandpa to write me while you were gone. I can't wait to hear about your trip. Sounds like you had lots of living conditions like me, poop bag, bad toilets, washing clothes by hand and drying on lines, and not rinsing under the tap. I did it one day last week and the next day I got really sick and threw up but now I am much better and back to boiling my water to rinse my brush and mouth after I clean my teeth. 3,000 sea life, that is amazing. And the weather sounds perfect. I'm actually missing the cold, can you believe that I actually miss cold. I am still sweating everyday. But 32 sounds so cold and I still don't think I like snow. 100 mile winds and state of emergency sounds so crazy. I can't believe all the damage and craziness. You are very lucky that it was only parts of the fence and nothing to the house or pool stuff. It´s crazy that more and more storms and disasters are happening. Really makes you think about where this world is headed. Well I'm glad you're ok. I could not remember my bank pin number. I really don't use my card that much so it was hard to remember it. I finally remembered and took out 500 quets about 62.50 American. So this week has been another really hard week. I am worrying about our area. We contacted people and they don't have much interest and will not commit to a visit. They always say that they don't know if they will be leaving that day or if they will have something to do, I say that is why we are planning ahead. The appointments that we do have people cancel on us and almost always say another day or they just are not home. And we are having no help from our Branch Pres. I don't know how to work better with him to do more with the branch. But I'm keeping my head up and trying to take different approaches in contacting and teaching. I'm trying to work harder and show more love, relying on the Lord more, and being more obedient. We did have a good thing this weekend. We have a little girl that is 9 and is such an amazing girl. She actually had a problem with cancer in the past but is doing well now and very smart. She was super receptive and remembered everything we taught. She was baptized and even bore a wonderful testimony Sunday. I was so proud of her, I am still proud of her and hope that Estrella (that is her name) stays active. That is baptism number 20. Not too bad. Because our zone baptized 8 people this weekend we got to play soccer again. It has been prohibited because of an injury but we got to play and it was very fun again. Sunday was incredible. I shared a spiritually powerful testimony. I'm trying to share my testimony every month we have testimony meeting. All the testimonies were great and because there was so many people sharing there testimonies the meeting went for 2 hours. That is crazy and kinda long but it was great. This sunday is the temple dedication and I am so so excited to be a part of that and go. I will tell you about that next week. I am so glad to have the blessings of temples and after talking with people that have a crazy idea about religion and the church from the bible and other preachers I'm so grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is the true church and Jesus Christ is always there for us doing so much. I'm blessed with you and my family and have so much love for you all. I'm ready for our phone call and anxiously awaiting to hear your voice. I love you mom and can't wait to hear from you and about your trip. I'm glad you are my mom and we have the gospel and blessings of the temple. Love Son

Cultural Dances - November 28, 2011

That is crazy that your plane caught fire. No luggage is interesting but you're on an island and diving all the time so it's not a huge problem. Sounds so awesome right now with waterfalls and 3 dives a day. Lucky! I'm glad you are safe and having a great time. I had false changes again. They told my companion and I we have changes then at 10:30 at night they called and said we don't. But it's ok. We had a stake activity and some missionaries did dances from their cultures. There was the haka from Samoa or one of the islands, a Hawaiian dance, and a sister missionary from Arizona that is Navajo did 2 Indian dances that were really cool and made me think of Peach Days when they dance in the parade. Last was the cultural dance from the kids here that they are doing for the temple. Fun and very nice. It's been a pretty good week. Hard work with not a lot of success but I'm trying hard. I am trying to live the 3 a´s of my mission and avoid the 3 c´s. Adaptar, adoptar, amarlo (adapt, adopt, love it) that is for happiness and success and to be happier avoid criticar, condemnar, complain. Tell hi to the Beus´ and that I love them. I hope you all are safe and loving your trip. I want to hear more. Love you Mom. Love Son

October Newsletter

September Newsletter

Package and Temple

Package with new shoes

Xela Temple

Xela Temple

Xela Temple - November 21, 2011

Wow that is so exciting that you are off on your trip to the Philippines. I hope you made it there safe and have wi fi also. It was a very weird week but now I have a companion from Honduras but it is kinda funny cause he is in our zone, he came from another area here in Coatepeque. He has had 6 months here in Coatepeque and has had 3 emergency changes here but can't leave, kinda funny. He is ready to get a new area but I don't want to show everything to another missionary again. We are getting along very well and we like to laugh and have fun. So my experiences this week were wonderful and exciting. First thing exciting but not really good was that I was using the bathroom in the morning and I had the lights off because I could still see with the light from outside. I saw something streak through the air. But I have no idea what it was. I looked around for it but could not find it. Now remember that at this point my pants are down as I'm in the bathroom. I felt something on my thigh, and panicked. I shook my leg and pretty much tossed my shorts off. A moment later I saw a cockroach crawl out of my shorts. A cockroach flew into my pants, a COCKROACH FLEW INTO MY PANTS! Crazy! The temple was so amazing. Xela is a little cold and made me think of Utah cause it is about the same feeling. The temple is so pretty and is on a hill looking over the city. We watched a video first about temples and the church in Guatemala. Before there was the Guatemala temple members traveled to Arizona for the temple. What a sacrifice, once again we are blessed to have so many close to us. In the room with the video I felt like I was going to Disneyland, I felt like it wasChristmas, I felt like I was going to Disneyland atChristmas. I was so happy and excited. I saw the Salt Lake temple and the Bountiful temple in the video and I thought of home. In the temple it is so beautiful and amazing. I really did not want to leave. I really miss being able to go to the temple every week. But such a great time I was happy and really felt good there. Sunday was stake conference but it was different with a great surprise. We had a video broadcast from Guatemala with the area president Don R Clark, Cook the president of young women's, Geoffrey Holland, and Pres Uchtdorf. The talks were about the temple and missions and increasing your testimony. It was so powerful and amazing. I could listen to them all day. Elder Holland even talked in Spanish for a couple minutes and was really funny about it. He said his Spanish is horrible and terrible and to help everyone he will talk in English with the Spanish translator that is much better. I loved it. Changes are this Wednesday and I have no idea what will happen. I will let you know next week. I know how you feel with no Thanksgiving turkey. They don't celebrate it here so it is from Halloween straight to Christmas. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be very different this year. Hope you are having an absolutely amazing time and are safe. I want to hear all about it. Sending my love and prayers.
Love Son

Changes - November 14, 2011

The slip on shoes are a little big but I really love them. It's nice to have more then one pair of shoes to switch between. Everything made it fine and I love it all. I am hoping for good results from David´s vitamins. I love the peanut butter so much. I can now relate to the people on Survivor when they get some peanut butter in a challenge, it is heavenly. That is so cool that the pool is almost done. The weather sounds terrible. I keep thinking how different this Christmas will be. I will miss all our traditions but I will get a phone call which will be the best gift. Speaking of phone calls there are two elders that are my friends and listen to this. They have the phone call then 10 days later they will be home. How crazy would that phone call be, I'm home in ten days. Then I started thinking about next Christmas and I will be home in 2 months after my phone call, can you believe that! I hope you will have internet in the Philippines. I really look forward to your emails and letters every week. The Philippines on Thursday wow that is going to be so awesome, I still can't believe it. And you're going with the Beus´. It is going to be so awesome for you, I want to hear all about it. Oh Christmas music, I will miss some of our music, but surprisingly I have heard a lot here already. This week was very different and interesting, probably of all my mission. Tuesday we had interviews with President Maravilla. That night we had planned to do divisions and I would be working with the zone leaders in their area. In the interviews President looked upset. He was with my companion for a long time. After the interviews I went to the area with the zone leaders. The next day the zone leaders said we need to do divisions again and I would be in Centro again because one of them needed to stay with my companion. That night they told me we are having emergency changes and my companion is leaving Thursday. Thursday I went with him to the mission office and he went in to talk with President and I was told that my new companion is not ready yet so they are taking me back to the zone leaders to be with them for the night. Friday they said there was still a problem with the companion changes and I was with the zone leaders again. I was with them all week only returning to my area to get a change of clothes. Saturday I got my new companion. Elder Rosales is from another area in the zone and his companion is getting a mini missionary, someone from a ward that helps be a companion for a week or two until changes. It was crazy. My other companion had 2 cell phones with him and President found out. I heard he went home. That was very dumb of him cause he only had less then 3 months left, what a waste of a mission. What a different week I had, away from my area from Tuesday to Saturday. My new companion is cool. We are getting along and I think we are going to work great. This Thursday we are also going on a trip. We are going to the open house of the Xela Temple. I am so excited to see it, I heard it is beautiful. This is the only time we get to go, but I want to do a session before I return home from my mission. I also have my pass to go to the dedication in December at the stake center. So exciting. Our branch is going to the temple next Wednesday. They also had this Tuesday but they are a bit unorganized and no one is going this Tuesday which is a shame. In my letters I got this week there was a letter from Scott. It was very thoughtful and I thought it was cool. Tell him thank you. The things he wrote about success with companions is so true and I thought about that a lot. You both are so good to me. Thanks for all you do. I still don't know about Christmas, easiest would probably be money. What do you think? Our phone call is so soon it is going to be awesome. I hope you are safe on your trip and enjoy every minute of the warm weather and the diving. I know you will have so much fun. I'm going to work really hard this week and get our investigators to come to the temple open house. I want to leave Magnolia better then when I came here. This mission is changing me to be a better man. Thanks for all your love and letters. I love you with all my heart. Love Son

Got My Package and Letters - November 7, 2011

The conference in Reu was wonderful. I always feel like there is so much I'm not doing so well as a missionary but at the same time I walk away from conference so pumped up and ready to work harder and change what I need to so I can be the best missionary I can be. I got lots of letters in the conference and it was wonderful, so many good stuff. I also got a wonderful package from my wonderful Mama at the conference Nov 2. I love the shoes. The peanut butter, dice, treats and rings all are so amazing. I'm excited to take the pills from David, he is such a good brother. I have seen some members here but I can't remember if I have seen missionaries with brown pants and black shoes. I have a brown belt and I think a lot of my ties would go good just not so sure about the brown pants with black shoes. So for pdays we normally get together at 9 and play football but last week an elder in the mission broke his arm playing so football is prohibited right now but we have volley ball and basketball. We play as a zone until 12 or 12:30, it is way fun and relaxing. Then we write our families about 1:00 and after we go get food somewhere. Sandwiches or pizza or sometimes we have Chinese, normally we go as a district. Then it is buy things we need for the week, food, haircut, or what not. Then it's go home and shower and change and clean a little then relax and at 6 go out to teach a family. I have had a few service activities finally. I chopped wood, shoveled dirt in a member's yard, painted a member's house, clean a really dirty wall outside. It is nice doing service, it makes me feel good even when I get sore from shoveling or chopping. It's still been a little ruff with my companion we just are not getting into a good groove working together and have several disagreements but it's during this time that I'm praying a lot to be a better me with more love and patience and how I can communicate and work better. I'm learning a lot. Poor Scott with his foot and his eye, I hope he gets better and stays safe. Sounds like your Halloween was different too. Mine was way different here, I did however see a couple kids in costumes. I'm glad Jessica loved the letter I hope she had a great birthday. Will you be able to finish the pool with the snow? Lots of snow already sounds terrible, I don't like it. So I'm lucky that I don't have snow here but I wish it was a little colder because I'm still sweating all the time. I don't think you or the family is ready for it to be snowy yet. But you're lucky and going to the Philippines in a couple weeks and will leave the snow for some time. That would be cool to come home to Christmas. In the stores here they have Christmas decorations up already and it's kinda funny because in the center of town there is a really big Christmas tree. This will be a strange Christmas for me with no family, no Christmas dinner, no snow, and different culture. Time is going by way fast and the holidays are going to be here in no time at all. Which means I get to call and hear your voice. YEAH! I remember moving with Tyson. He was always there to help. So SundayIi was the 2nd person to share my testimony and I think I'm going to make a goal to always be one of the first to share my testimony. That is a great way to help it grow. I also went with a different attitude and the meeting was way different. I loved it! The testimonies were powerful and great and I want to have the attitude to make every testimony meeting the best meeting every. Attitude is a huge thing with church, mission, companion, everything. If I do all I can to have a positive attitude I will be happier and learn more. I thank you again Mom for being the best Mom ever. I agree 100% that the mission has helped us talk more and I want to keep receiving letters from you like this throughout all my mission and I really want to continue to talk to you like this after the mission for the rest of my life. You're the greatest and I have so much love and respect for you. Have an amazing week and know that I'm always praying for you and sending my love. Keep doing what is right and working on going to the temple so we can go together after the mission. Love Son

Del Monte Banana - October 31, 2011

Baptism of the Orozco Family

Banana field

Banana packing plant

Me and some workers for Del Monte bananas

Banana Plantation - October 31, 2011

The week was pretty good. We had divisions for a day that was my worst divisions with another missionary yet. We didn't get along, we fought over a couple rules, and we only taught one lesson. But I learned a lot. I learned to take the lead if we are on divisions again and not doing anything I will say whom can we visit or let's contact. I had a experience on divisions that was crazy too. We were doing service all morning far from the house and when we were returning hours later I had to use the bathroom so bad. We were almost home but I could not do it so I luckily found a bathroom for 2 quets and was relieved. Saturday was the wedding of the family and that went really well. Then the baptism was at 5 but we told everyone 4 because they are always late. Sure enough at 5 there was only a few people and no family. Finally after 5:30 the family was there and more members. The family was happy. I have been reading from the teachings of Spencer W Kimball but in Spanish and his life is incredible and the things he taught. I found a really cool quote about how Christ has tears in his eyes and a smile on his face when he sees all the souls that came to him this year and entered the waters of baptism. He also has much love for the people that helped in the conversion. It was perfect for the baptism. This is my 3rd family and I think my 19th baptism. It has been 2 weeks since I have gotten dearelders cause the leaders won't bring it, same with the package. But we have a conference in Reu and I think I will get it there. Progress is slow here and we have very little to work with now that this family is baptised but I will do all I can. I really love the book about teachings of Spencer Kimball. He did so much for the church and has incredible life stories and insights. Have you read it before or any other book of the teachings of the presidents of the church? The pool sounds like so much work but I bet you'll love it when you can go chill in the pool next year. Hope you get it all done. I'm glad that Jessica will get her letter for her bday. So I have two questions. Will you cover my tv in my room for me so it is protected? Can I wear brown pants with black shoes and what color ties can I wear with brown pants? I'm thinking of getting some brown pants. I'm glad you got to go see the family and hold Ivie. I can't wait to hold her and Corinne's kids. 18 days until the Philippines that is crazy. You're going to have so much fun especially because it is with the Beus'. Thanks for the email address I was using a s instead of a f for her email so it didn't work. So today for pday we went to a banana plantation of Del Monte bananas that the 2nd counselor of the stake works as one of the top dog bosses. It was so cool to see all the banana trees with a zip line that they use to send the bananas to the main area. There they inspect them and wash them then package them for export. No where in the states grows bananas and here is a major place to get them from. It was pretty cool to see thousands of trees and hear how they do it and see the process. So the next time you eat a Del Monte banana I saw them in person on the tree. I will send some pics. Thanks for the email and the letters and always supporting me. I love you so much Mom and Mondays always make my week so much better. Sorry for the stupid things I did as a kid and any pain I caused you. You're the best mom I could have and I'm glad you're my eternal family. Until next week. I eagerly await to hear from you.
Love Son

Waiting for My Package - October 24, 2011

Hi Mama! I love David he is really like my brother. No package yet I was expecting it last week but I did not get it so I'm hoping that tomorrow at our meeting I get it. It is crazy that I have 8 months already. Time has gone by so fast and I really like that everyone here always tells me they thought I had more time because my Spanish is so good. It was crazy about the rain and everyone said last week that the rainy season is over and we have sunshine again in the afternoons but everyday we have still been getting rain and sometimes a lot. Things with Elder Stzep are good. We had a good talk last week on how we can work better together on what our goals are. It really helped. He is from Guatemala in the capital, but everyone thinks he is from somewhere else because of his last name, it is very different. Just like my last 2 companions he has 21 months. Which is good but bad. It's good that he has experience but bad because sometimes they get baggy and don't want to work as hard or let some things slack. It's possible that changes in Nov he will stay here but I thought that with Elder Perez who goes home next month and he had changes. My luck has been my 2 comps with 21 months have had changes so it's possible that Elder Stzep will also. Part of me really wants changes because this area has been really hard this last week. I know I could get another area that is hard but I don't know. I really want to leave this area better then I found it, with more active members and many other good things. Right now the problem is contacting in the streets is not very successful because people don't have much interest and have strong beliefs in other churches. We want to work with the church leaders in our area but they are no help right now, and the members are very little help too. When we ask members for references they say they don't know anyone or they go to another church and it would be hard. The leaders aren't helping either so it is a little frustrating. and people are not keeping their commitments to come to church. But on the bright side we have a family that other missionaries have been working with for a long time that are getting baptized Saturday and there is a guy from here that has been living in California and is here visiting. He is very interested and is reading and praying and feels good, at peace and happy. We gave him a Book of Mormon and are trying to help him come to church. I taught him twice in English which was really weird. But I think he can progress and be baptized. I sent Jessica a letter last week so it should get there around her bday, tell sis to keep her eyes out for it. That's great that you were able to finish the pool house and it sounds like it looks very good. I hope you can get the pool done. That sounds so nice, a backyard pool party. I want one of those after my mission I cant wait to come home and go swimming. They have a Halloween here but I don't know if it is the same day or how different it will be. I will let you know. I'm so excited that the month is going by fast and I can hear your voice. I don't know who will be there that I can talk to, if I will say hi to Jess and Nana and Grandpa but I'm so excited to talk to you and I know I could talk with you the whole time. I'm doing pretty good. Just working and trying to work harder and make a difference here, be myself everyday and help people in any way I can. I love you so much Mom and I'm glad I can talk to you every week and get your letters. I like hearing what's going on in your life and just hearing about you. Thanks for writing every week and I can't wait to do it again next week. Love you with all my heart. Love Son

Paty baptism

New glasses and Elder Perez's Watch

Africa Tie

Blue Steel

Goodbye Elder Perez

Huge Zappo (Toad)

Subway, YUMMY!

A Very Rainy Week - October 17, 2011

No package yet but I'm hoping this week. I blessed the sacrament again this Sunday. So the scale I weighed myself was wrong. I weigh 152 not 157 so I gained one pound. Changes were this week and I had changes so I said my goodbyes and it was sad because my cook cried. I packed all my things and left. It was raining really hard the morning I left and I got soaked. The rain was actually so bad that we had to wait in the stake center an hour before we could leave. We finally left and had to wait at another church because there was so much rain all over Guatemala that some roads were closed because the rain was making a river. We finally got to the office for the change meeting but did not start for ever because other zones could not get past the rain to get here. We were lucky though cause we got Subway for lunch! I have not had Subway for so long, months and months, it was to die for! They finally did the meeting and I saw Elder Meoño. As they were announcing the areas they said my companion's name Elder Perez as district leader in a different area and I thought to myself, wait a minute he does not have changes. Then in Magnolia they showed me there with a different companion. What? Turns out there was a mix up and the assistants told me I have changes when in fact Elder Perez has changes. How crazy. So I had to go back with all my stuff and unpack again and say hi to everyone I said goodbye to. But on the good side Elder Meoño is in my zone again and that is awesome. So I have a new companion Elder Stzep. Can't believe how much rain there was this week, almost no sun. I'm so glad I have my boots and chose to wear them this week. One day when we were walking and the streets were all rivers one street had water almost to the top of my boots. I want to get a picture of me walking in the river to show everyone. We have another family that is going to get married and baptized next week. Other then that this week was really bad for the work. With changes the first of the week was nothing done. The last few days were hard. No new investigators, not much luck with working with members or contacting. People just were not interested. But I read the scriptures last night and I'm feeling better today plus I think about how many people love me and are praying for me. I need to find a different way to be more successful this week and have more faith. I hope you can finish the pool and everything. Sounds like lots of work and you could use my help. Good luck and don't hurt yourselves. David is a great friend. I am going to try and do another letter to him. I'm also writing a letter to sis for her birthday and Corinne because she sent me some wonderful cards from all the kids and some super adorable pics of the kids. I love her family. Sounds like lots of rain everywhere. Enjoy your week and holiday. I sent you some pics of my adventures. Love you so much Mom and I'm so grateful for all you do for me and all your love and support. Oh yeah I gave a talk in church about coming to Christ and missionary work, I feel I did pretty good. Anyways I want to work harder and do everything I can to make you proud. Love you Mom and I can't wait for your next letter or your package. I really can't wait for two more months when I can call you and hear your voice. Love you with all my heart, Son.

Excited for My Package - October 10, 2011

That is so true about conference. As soon as it was over I was already excited and ready for the next conference. It is so amazing and spiritually uplifting. I love my new feelings for conference. I'm so excited for the package and my shoes. It will be so nice. I love getting things from you. I can't wait to see the Virgin Mary package, I'm going to take several pics cause that is fun. Crazy about the rain. Sounds like Guatemala rain. You're so close to finishing the pool yet can't exactly finish the job. Crazy Utah weather always messes things up. I hope you can get it done before the weather gets really bad. I'm glad you went to David's party. They are very good people, David is my brother and Nancy and Rich are my other parents, haha. I actually have a lot of other parents, Aunt Holly, David's parents, Jessica's mom and a few others. I love David's family and going to their parties. Everyone there is always so nice. David is such a good friend and I'm glad you like his family. They like me a lot so that's fun you got to tell them how I'm doing. Who are some people there you met that you like? This week was good. Had an experience in our house when we ran out of toilet paper and didn't buy some for a day. We had to use actual paper. It was like I was camping except in a nicer house, bucket showers and paper for the toilet. What will I experience next in Guatemala? I weighed myself and the scale I used in a different place from last month said I was 157 lbs. So that could be true or a little difference in the 2 machines I don't know for sure. But it is possible that I gained 6 pounds last month so that is good. It's funny here, in little bags of chips and snacks they have pogs for the kids. For kids pogs are kinda a big thing right now. It made me think of all the pogs Jess and I had and how we would go to Dilly Dallys to get more pogs. Funny how some things come back into culture and are popular again. This week was not to successful with many of our investigators and getting new people. Sometimes I have a little hard time with my comp because he goes home in Nov and sometimes doesn't want to really work hard or follow the rules exactly. And I don't know if I should say something to him or what. I tried saying things to him but he got mad and it was not the best. So I just wake up at 6:30 and wait for him. I figured I can't force him to do anything so I will just do what is right and study the scriptures if he doesn't want to work much. It's been a learning experience in how I react to situations. But we are good. We had a baptism this Saturday. She was such a good and positive investigator. I really wish we had more like her. We actually had a lot of people come to the baptism and one investigator that is really hard to put a baptism date with so hopefully that helped. At church I blessed the Sacrament in Spanish and shared my testimony. We had a less active member come that hasn't come in so long. We taught him that night and I hope that we helped him change and come back to the gospel more. I don't know if I told you this but there is a member who went to America years ago and while there learned how to cook a lot. This last week she made us BBQ chicken and lasagna. It was so good. And it really made me think of home and our lasagna meals and BBQ all the time. It was a nice taste of home. This Sunday we went to her house for dinner again and had a different lasagna that was so amazing and we made a box of turtle brownies we bought in the store. I loved it and was stuffed but it was so worth it. Again it reminded me of home a lot. Other then that not to much new here. Lots of rain still but the rain season is almost over. There are changes Wednesday but we won't know until tonight if we have any. And I don't know if you saw the Liahona for this month but it is only about the Book of Mormon. It is so amazing it made me love the Book of Mormon even more. What an amazing blessing we have to have that book. I have been reading a lot lately about Lehi's dream of the tree and the iron rod. I'm learning so many cool things and how to use that to help members share the gospel and how to be a stronger missionary constantly grasping to the word of God. I love you Mom and I'm so grateful for all you do. I love your letters and your packages. You're the best Mom I could have and I'm excited to share my stories with you. I don't know if they are showing the Guatemala temple dedication in Utah but if so you should work with the bishop to get your temple recommend to go to it. I can't wait to go to the temple with you after my mission, that is a dream of mine. Love you Mom and I can't wait to write to you next week and share more of my stories. Love Son

Elder Perez and I

The view from the top of my house in Coatepeque

Conference - October 3, 2011

First on Wednesday we had a conference in Reu with President that was so good about character and how we can do better. It made me think there is so much more I can be doing but I felt so uplifted and spiritually ready though. For conference we went to the stake center in Coatepeque Centro and there was a conference room with a tv for all the 12 Americans. It was fun because we all had a bunch of snacks and nice chairs. Four of us even had a pizza delivered Saturday between sessions. Sunday I missed part of the first talk in the afternoon because we went to our area for lunch. But I got to see all the sessions and every session was so incredible with a message just for me. I received answers and spiritual help and how to be a better missionary and person. I love President Monson. He was making me laugh so much with his facial expressions and jokes and how much he loves and serves people. I also love the personality of President Eyring, he reminds me of Grandpa so I love listening to him. Elder Yamashita was very good and I really loved Elder Cook´s talk about it's better to look up. Lots of great talks about the Book of Mormon and prayer too. My attitude towards conference has changed so much over the last two years. I used to think it was so long and not always for me but now I'm hanging on every word. I find myself smiling so largely whenever a person comes up to speak and I can feel the love and spirit. These are men called of God to help us have more happiness in life and return to our loving Heavenly Father. There are so many talks I loved. The talk from Eyring about pushing yourself beyond the limit to serve I can do that more in my mission and focus all my attention and love to the people here to make a difference and then come home proud and happy forever loving the people. I loved also the talk about going about doing good everyday and President Monson about standing up for what you believe, with the funny military story. I would love to talk with you about these talks more and share insights. Saturday Elder Hock who is in my zone and from Kaysville brought me a tie he had found in his house that has my name on it. It is from another Elder Cox that was here before and a zone leader, the tie is called the Africa tie because it is yellow with some sweet red and green stripes. I'm going to clean it then take a pic of me with it, it is a very exciting tie haha. The temples will be awesome and I want to go to all the temples in Utah when I'm done here. So far I have been to 4 in Utah. I'm glad Lois is doing better I have been keeping her in my prayers. That could be a big change for Nana and Grandpa so I'm curious to hear what they are going to do. Didn't they want to serve a mission at some point in the not to distant future? Way to go Heather! What is her favorite type of dance? I haven't heard anything from RJ but I'm sure the missions are very different. Hope you get the pool complete with the weather, sounds like a lot more work then you imagined, I bet you're glad you didn't try to do most of it yourselves. I'm way excited for the slip on shoes to tell you the truth. I don't think that is a bad idea about shipping the shoes in different packages. I also thought of something for a package - another tie, if you see one you think I would like or look good in that could be a Christmas gift. I'm looking forward to your dearelders. I love reading your letters and I also really look forward to Mondays, it is the motivational boost of love, support, and spiritual support I need. They mean so much to me, YOU mean so much to me. Thank you for everything Mom. I love you with all my heart and am eternally grateful to be your son.
Love your Son

Looking Forward to Conference - September 26, 2011

So I have not got any letters from the ward yet. Your dearelder for Sept 11 was received on the 22. I don't remember much about the missionary lessons outside, crazy. I love the temple puzzle ideas that sounds way great. The Bountiful or San Diego temple would be good pictures. Tell Brent Beus I'm proud of him. He will be great in the bishopric. He is such a good guy and my friend. I will have to write them again and tell him my congrats. So Jessica´s Aruba trip was great. She went to the beach a lot and did snorkeling with her sisters but I can't remember if she did any dives. I think she did. But they went parasailing, with the parachute and a boat and enjoyed the food at the beach restaurants. She enjoyed it but said she wouldn't go again cause she wants to see new places. I can't wait to go somewhere fun after the mission.

I think both those shoes sound wonderful. I'm already excited for them. The slip on and the lace would be great. I was thinking about a slip on. I think the 2 year warranty is an amazing idea too. Thank you so much Mom. I was looking around here but the shoes are not waterproof and are ok. I think size 11 will be perfect. You're so good to me sending me shoes. I love David and that he loved the pics. We do have a lot of great pics from Europe. He is so kind to send me health supplements. It's good too because I'm starting to get to the end of the calcium and multi vit that we bought. Now I'm super excited for the shoes, health stuff, peanut butter, and dice. I can understand on Survivor now when they see peanut butter and go crazy for it, it is delicious and you don't get it that much here. I eat some bananas but I need to eat more bananas and more fruit. I did not know that about the fleas. We have a nurse that talks with the drs. If I need some meds I will let you know. That might not be a bad idea to send some. That is sad and scary for Lois. I will keep her in my prayers more. I hope she gets better.

This week we didn't have any baptisms. We have marriage and divorce problems with a couple families. One family is now ready to be married but the wife because it's her first marriage wants rings and a dress. So the branch president and some others are going to see what we can do to help them get those and get married before the date they planned of Nov 5. We are trying for this month. They are really good members and people. Another woman is ready we have taught her and she will be baptised after conference. And there is a guy who has had a hard past with drugs and drinking and wants to change. I shared with him about my life a little and how I didn't go to church but I changed and now I'm blessed. He is feeling that God loves him again and is progressing alot. He read so much in the Book of Mormon. We are going to help him be baptised this month. Kinda a slow week though. Not many new people. My companion is about to go home in Nov and sometimes he gets a little baggy. That's what the missionaries call it when someone thinks of home a lot. A couple days it was a little hard to get us out working. But we are doing good. I started talking with him sometimes in Spanish but with a southern or Texas Spanish accent. It makes us laugh a lot and we like it. We also were having fun in our house one night making up terrible dance moves. I hit 7 months this last week. I only have 13 changes left. That is so crazy. Changes are every 6 weeks. Time sometimes feels so slow but it is also going by extremely fast. Time will be over before I know it so I need to make the most out of all of it. I didn't hear about the earthquakes. The last time I felt an earthquake was a couple months ago in Samayac. Kinda scary though. I love hearing from you and getting your letters. I really can't tell you how much they help me work hard and feel more happy. Family is a blessing and I'm extremely blessed with mine. Conference is this weekend and I'm excited for my first conference in the field. I love listening to conference. I'm excited to talk with you again about the different talks so you better watch which I know you will. Sending all my love and keeping you in my prayers. Will try to send more pics. Until next week. Love you Mom, Love Son

This is for David. Hello Kitty de Guatemala!


Elder Perez and I before service for someone

What Our Meals Are Like - September 19, 2011

Thank you for the baptism info. I thought Grandpa baptized me. So I was 11 when I was baptised? I was considered a convert baptism then I think because it was past the age of 8. I do not remember that. Interesting the people that were there. Yeah the inside of the Rockport shoes completely came out and is destroyed. I'm going to try to look for another pair of shoes here. The Eccos are wonderful but the design I picked is not waterproof so if I get another pair I want it to be waterproof. I think I would like another pair of Eccos, cause you're right I have 18 months still. My shoes are a size 44 Europe, I don't think the Eccos are in US sizes, but it's about a 10 1/2. I will let you know what I find here. Thank you for dating the dearelders. I agree with you I think it will be interesting to see when I get them. I love that you write me every Sunday don't stop. No baptisms this week. The little kid is impossible to find so he is a no right now and we have three families but they have problems waiting for papers that say they are divorced or one family the papers say she is still married so she has to get that worked out first. It is sad cause they are so ready to be members but it is just the time and waiting for paper stuff. We have another woman that will not accept a baptism date so we keep trying. We did have a really good first lesson with another woman and she accepted our invitation to be baptised. I chose the date but did not think, the date I chose is the same day as conference. We thought we could change it to this coming Saturday but she didn't come to church. So if she comes to conference she can be baptised the following weekend. My talk went well. It was on reverence and it was a little hard finding resources to use. But I did ok other then the fact that even though I practised my talk a few times and it was fine, Sunday I was under 5 minutes. Whoops. But not too bad, the next talk will be better. I'm loving my companion. I really feel like myself around him. We love the same music and movies and we joke around a lot and have fun, he is way relaxed. I'm grateful for my companion. I think he might be someone I could visit here in Guatemala after my mission. The hot showers are nice but sometimes the cold shower is nice and I just think it is like when I jump in some lakes, it's not too bad. My clothes are doing really well other then a couple pairs of socks and my Rockports. It's always hot here and I sweat all the time, I have never been this sweaty before. The other day after church we were at our cook's house and we had to stay there for a couple hours cause it rained so hard, the streets were really flooding. All of our cook's windows are uncovered except for a couple blankets. There was a big pool of water on their floor in the living room so we helped them clean it up. We usually eat beans and eggs with bananas for dinner. Lunch is meat usually, it is soup with a chicken leg in it sometimes too. Yesterday it was meat with tomato sauce stuff and tortillas. I like it but I think sometimes the food has a lot of fat or grease. Oh I had some cooked bananas that were cooked with sugar and cinnamon. They were so good. I thought of a couple things for the next package. I will think of what else I like. 6 dice for playing games and a big jar of creamy peanut butter, the peanut butter here is small and about 42 quets. I love your letters and I love writing to you. It really helps me when I get a little discouraged, the letters give me the biggest happiness and the boost I need to work hard. I am sending a letter to Jentry. Let me know if you hear anything about people getting my letters. I'm so excited for general conference in a week. I can't believe it is time again, I love it. The mission and the weeks are going by so fast. I love you so much Mom and love talking about you and talking to you. Before you know it we will be talking on the phone for Christmas. Excited for that very much, I am. That sounded like the way Yoda talks, haha. Well I love you Mom and will anxiously await your next letters of love. You're the best mom ever! Love Elder Son

Quetzal - September 12, 2011

My companion and I are doing really really well. We are getting along joking and laughing, and teaching well. We are slowly getting to know the area but it is big and hard to find all the members. Coatepeque is actually part of Quetzaltanango. The suitcase was crazy. Thanks for looking for my baptism info. So we get a little over 2,000 quets a month, can't remember exactly how much. Rent is 425 each, our cook for lunch and dinner everyday but Monday is 500 each, and laundry is 100. It is actually really a good deal. Money from the States can really go far here. One quetzal is worth about 13 cents in US dollars. Can't think of anything I need right now. Did my Rockport shoes have any warranty? They are wearing out way bad and one shoe is not completely waterproof anymore. The biggest thing that makes me mad is that the shoes have worn a hole and are destroying my shoe insert you sent. Might look into a pair of waterproof shoes here. Thank you for checking my balance, I don't check it because of the fees. I will write you when I spend money from it. Sounds like fun that everyone was there at Peach Days. I miss the parade but most of all thinking about the dutch oven lunch is difficult. And peach shakes with bacon sandwiches sounds so so yummy. So sometimes our water goes out at our house and we have to take showers from a bucket of water. I have gotten used to it and sometimes when we have water in the morning I still use the bucket because I heat up the water. Warm showers are the best and here if I want one I have to heat the water. When you write Dear Elders can you include the date? It is not always there and because we get them at different times that helps me know when it is from. Back pain is better this week but because the roads are made of rocks and dirt my legs get so tired at the end of the day. My right knee has been really hurting. Another crazy thing, the last couple months I have been weighing myself. Entering the field I was around 175, in June I was 161, Aug I was down to 157, and now I am at 151 lbs. I don't know if part of it is the scale could be a little inaccurate but still that is a lot of weight difference. Crazy. Things are good. I'm getting to know more people here and enjoy my companion a lot more then my last companion. We have a talk to give next week and hopefully this Saturday we will have some baptisms. There was a problem with finding the little kid to be baptised Saturday so we didn't do it. I'm really excited for conference next month. Time is going by so fast in my mission it is crazy. I almost have seven months and before I know it I will have a year. I'm trying to learn a lot. Right now I'm trying to find how to get more out of my scripture studies. Love you so much and think about you and the family a lot. I love you and am glad to serve a mission and bless my family. Until next week Mom, it will go by fast again. Love you so much and pray for you too. I mailed 2 more letters, to Nana and my Jessica.
Love son.

My New Casa

My ripped suitcase before I sewed it up

My buddies - out 6 months together

Osman - one of the coolest people in Samayac

New Companion & Area - September 5, 2011

I did have changes. My new companion is Elder Perez of Guatemala City. He is very chill and I think we will work great together. We already are getting along very well. He learned English during his mission and can speak really well. He has been out 20 months and will probably end his mission here. My new area is Zone Coatepeque, area Magnolia. It is hot here too. But it is very different from Samayac and very pretty. It is a lot quieter then Samayac too. There is one area with houses on the side of the street and trees and it makes me think of California. But other areas the road is just pebbles and rocks that are in the ground. My house is really nice once again. We live on the 2nd floor above a member and it is pretty big. We have our pila inside this time which is really nice for washing dishes but we no longer have a hot shower and the bathroom is small but I really like it. My companion and I are both new here and don't know anyone so it is a little difficult finding our way around and getting to know the members. Our cook cooks us lunch and dinner everyday but Monday for 500 quets. Her name is Joyce and she is really nice. I like her and her family. The church is a little smaller but very nice and we are getting to know many people here. We have 6 investigators that can be baptized this month. So I was so excited for changes and my first change meeting that I was bursting at the seems, literally. My smaller suitcase ripped open below the zipper and along it for more then 2 feet. Luckily nothing feel out and I sewed it back shut. But it was disappointing and very hard to fit everything in the 2 bags. I really like Coatepeque.

I have no idea right now about Christmas things. I will think about it. That would be so cool if you learn Spanish. I support you in that. That is way cool about the growth in Central America. I believe it. But at the same time a big problem here that I think is a problem everywhere is inactive members. Many people in Samayac and here in Magnolia are inactive. I love David and how he is part of the family. His last letter was so funny. No one from the ward has written me yet, other then the Bues´ a while ago. I am thinking of writing the bishop. I got a letter from Jentry that was really nice. I am writing Jentry, Nana, Bro Esthmeyer my friend from the temple, and Jessica Stevens for her bday this week on the 8th. I am really going to miss Peach Days and the peaches, peach shakes, peach cobbler, and dutch oven. But when I return I will eat a lot.
I will send some more pics and other things. I love getting your emails and letters every week. Don't ever stop they really make me so happy. I love you so much and can't explain how much I love you. Our cook Joyce got sealed to her family this Saturday and it made me think how excited I am to go to the temple with you after my mission.
I have been having some lower back pain again this last week, some days pretty bad. I don't really know what to do. I hate my back and don't know exactly what is wrong with it.
Question. I know I was baptised in 1996 but would you be able to write me and tell me when and where. I really cant remember.

I love you mom and am excited to write you next week and tell you more about my experiences here and my adventures. My Spanish is getting so much better. I love you with all my heart. Take care Mom, hugs and kisses.
Love Elder Son

PERIODICO DE LA MISION