Happy New Year - December 31, 2012

Happy New Year! Also Happy Birthday to Tyson! I loved our call Mom. I was flying high after our call. It was incredible to be able to see your face and hear your voice. I am very excited that in very little time I will be seeing your face in person. My comp spoke with his family and I got to meet his sister and her family. The week was not too bad. It was slow but on Sunday one of the members told us her dad that was drinking last Monday we were there prayed and repented and wants to change and be baptized. That was pretty amazing news and I’m very very happy for him. I really miss playing games. I would love to have a weekly day when we play games and share a short message also, perhaps Monday hahaha. Next Christmas will be a great time of family together. I can’t wait. I’m glad Scott could finally use his snow blower. That is a lot of snow very quickly. It has been pretty cold here lately. I really want to see Skyfall and Les Miserables. I have lots of movies to catch up on when I get home. I miss Jentry and can’t wait for our times to go on more adventures, that girl is one of my best friends. I love the memories our family has had. I will never forget snowmobiling and crashing. Driving around before I was 16 and many many more. We will have to remember more when I’m back. Puzzles will be fun. Do a couple before your vacation ends. No package yet but I think it is in the office. I have a meeting there this Wednesday and will bring all the mail back with me. My comp did not get a package from his family but his girlfriend sent something that he is really excited to get. This month is our Book of Mormon activity and I need to start planning and preparing things. I think it is going to be amazing. We are really trying hard right now to work with members, they are the big difference in the work. Mom I can’t explain how much I love you and I’m glad that you are my mom. Sending you all my love and hugs. You will be the first hug, I promise. Love you and anxiously waiting to talk to you soon.

Merry Christmas! - December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas Eve! I am planning on Skyping you tomorrow at 11 or 12 my time which is 10 or 11 your time. I’m super excited and can’t wait to see you and talk to you. With Nana’s package it is file a claim there in Utah and they push here in Guatemala. I have not received your package yet but I am super super excited for it. I really can’t wait for the letter also. I love our family. The office parties sound really fun and wonderful. Lucky you have off work till Jan 2. Next year I will enjoy that time watching movies and playing games with you. I can wait to hear about your Christmas Eve dinner. I really miss that and all our Christmas traditions. I heard a little bit about the kidnapping but not too many details. Very crazy. Mom I love you so much and am counting down the time till I can talk with you. I love you with all my heart. Your super excited son!

 Me at the Temple

 Temple with my Branch President - Presidente Nelton Lopez

 Christmas sweaters with my comp

Steven's Christmas package.  What's that?  That's right a Guatemala Survivor Buff!

 With President y Hermana Maravilla

Christmas Party at Xetulul - December 18, 2012

We had a conference with President Maravilla this last week. It was so good. I learned a lot. We talked about the difference in testimony and conversion. Testimony is knowing that something is true and conversion is living the gospel faithfully. We all can do more to increase our own conversion. We watched a video about the atonement of Christ with President Eyring and Elder Holland talking. I really liked a comment that when things are hard we can always think of Christ and what he suffered and did for us. My mission is hard but because of that I can understand better the atonement and what it was like for Christ. That was very interesting to think of. When times are hard it is still nothing compared to the atonement. I also got to go to the temple this week with our district and the members from Rio Blanco. It was so special and wonderful. I have not been able to go with members only elders. I love the temple so much and will spend lots of time there when I’m home. We were in a sealing and after I participated my comp was participating. Well one member said my comp did not look well and the next moment he passed out. Yikes! His first experience with sealings and he passed out. But he was better after. I met a missionary from the Xela mission named Elder Lundberg from Brigham City. He is from the 3rd ward and his mom works in the Brigham temple. I think Nana and Grandpa might know them. I still have no word about Nanas package. The post office here said that she should file a claim there and then the post office will pressure the post office here to find the package and get it done quickly. If she can it would help. I talked Sunday about Love as the greatest gift we can give. I did really well. I talked about the love our Heavenly Father has and His son Jesus Christ, about service here and examples from my home in Utah, about the love you have for me and the letter you gave me after I went to the temple. I felt really good. I have such a wonderful convert. She is active and happy with her husband and she participates in the classes, I have seen such a change in her and such joy. That makes me very pleased. We had our Christmas party yesterday. It was in Xetulul again. There are so many amazing talented missionaries. I want to learn how to sing better. I did not get your package yet but I’m anxiously looking for it. I don’t know why it is not here yet. I got a package from Jessica and her family that was sent after yours. It was very wonderful and filled with thoughtful loving gifts, all with a snowman theme. Guess what one of the coolest things was? A Guatemala red survivor buff! I’m so in love with it. The party was good and I got a nice gift from Hna Maravilla she made 4 cookies for all 200 missionaries, she baked over 600 cookies and then added some small candies to the package. Very thoughtful. One crazy thing about the party was I looked around at all the mission and I only know a few people, all the elders are new. Guess that’s what happens when you are close to the end. I would love very much to go on a diving trip when I get home. Did you still want to come to Guatemala with me after I get back? I would like to visit here and see more. Your Xmas party with the family sounds so amazing. I really miss the family and I’m excited to see them soon. The kids are adorable. Next week we get to talk! We can use Skype again so I want to Skype you Xmas day, not sure what time yet but I will give you a call before. I would like to see Sis and if Nana and Grandpa are there that would be amazing too. You should scan the photos. I want to do that with more of my photos from my childhood. Pics from the 70s and 60s, I want to see them. I’m glad you are doing well and Scott feels better. I will miss the dinner and the traditions but I know next year will be wonderful. I’m very very excited to talk with you and see you. Take care and know I love you and think you are the best mom ever.

Love J

Staying in Rio Blanco!

So this week we did more service. We did corn collecting Monday morning. Tuesday we left again at 5 am to haul trunks of wood up a very steep hill. I was so tired it was hard. But once again I was very happy to help. There were changes this week, but I DONT HAVE CHANGES. I get to stay here in Rio Blanco. I’m so happy for that. I really hope I end my mission here. I believe we get to Skype but no official word yet. The last change starts Jan 16 and ends Feb 27, so Feb 28 I should be home. Wow that is so soon, not gonna lie I’m excited. I love Galen Card and his family. That is intense starting where you left off. I have a lot of independent study to do when I get back. He wrote me a letter that I’m about to read after this. That is a bummer that Scott was sick, that really is no fun at all. Hope he is feeling better. Heather is 18! She is so old now haha. The Christmas party sounded really fun. I miss it. How wonderful that Great Grandma was there and the pics sound really cool. Kembree is a cutie eating all the fruitloops and asking how to play. I love that she loves my picture and says "my Jensen." I truly love those kids so much and can’t wait to see them. I love writing them. So this week we went contacting for 4 hours and only found 4 people, none of which were very excited. We did however find our reference. We went to her house and taught her. She has been to church before and is super positive. We had an amazing lesson and challenged her to baptism. She said when she gets her answer she will do it. We went back two days later with the President of the branch and had another amazing lesson about the Book of Mormon. We challenged her again and she said yes. We are planning her baptism 22 of Dec. She is so incredible. I love teaching her and her desire to learn. We also taught the dad of some members. He is not a member and struggles with some addictions but he wants to change. He is great and really loves our visits. We are helping him little by little. I really want to help him improve his life with the gospel. That is the power of the gospel. It changes lives for the better. I can’t imagine how happy this family will be if their dad gets baptized. I really love this area even when it is hard. The people are all so amazing and I really love them and want to help them. Lots of members are inviting us for Chrsitmas. It is only in two weeks aaahhh. And the Sunday right before I will have 22 months. Wow! One last funny thing. My comp was preparing a lesson about the second coming and found something interesting. He found that in the heavens there will be no women. DC 88:95 says there will be silence in the heavens. hahaha. Just kidding, I can’t imagine heaven without my family and my future wife. We got a good laugh from that though. I can’t wait for your package and I really really can’t wait to Skype you. I love you so much and send my love to the family. Be happy, be safe, be blessed.

Love,

Son

 Corn collecting

 We filled all these bags and carried them on our backs

  Cute baby

Baptism of Karina

Elder Guerra and I

 Service

 First English class

My amazing sweater

Just chillin on a fence

Day of service after the earthquake

Collecting Corn - December 3, 2012

That is cool that Scott has an IPad. They are lots of fun and can do so much. Wow 33 dives sound amazing and over 3,000 photos I bet they are amazing. I want to see some. That is amazing that your blood sugars were not too high or too low. You truly were blessed and watched over. Lucky that you got to eat good food, delicious desserts, and chocolate before each dive. Crazy that when it was all over your sugars went really high. Sounds really amazing there. That is good that even though it was the second time you did not get bored with anything. I can imagine that after that amazing trip it would be very hard to go back to work. It is like when I went to Lake Powell and Germany then had to return to work. The fish and things sound so cool. I really want to see something better than Blue Lake, which is not blue at all. I would love to go on a trip. I can’t wait for the dearelders. I feel so much better, not many problems with the cough. Can’t believe it is December.  The Christmas devotional was amazing yesterday. I was studying this week and I thought about something cool. I was reading John 6:29 Jesus says that the work of God is that they believe on him who he hath sent (or believe in Christ). Then I thought about Moses 1:39 that says the work of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I connected these two that it is only through Christ and believing in him that we can receive immortality and eternal life. That is God’s work that we receive it through believing in Christ. That was cool for me. This week we did service for the District President from 5:30 am to 2 pm helping him collect the corn from his field, put it in sacks that weigh a lot, and carry it up a hill. It was hard work corn collecting but I enjoyed helping a lot and he was very grateful because he would have done it basically himself and right after he left to go cut and collect fire wood. He works so much and doesn’t stop so I was glad to help him. One of the other missionaries has permission to have two rabbits. Well the 4 of us decided to eat one. They cooked it and we came over for lunch. I don’t know if it was because how it was cooked or rabbit meat is just like that but it had no flavor and was pretty hard. But now I can say I ate rabbit. Yesterday in church was so great. Our convert and her husband got up to share their testimonies. This is the first time she has done it. I was so happy, I really can’t explain the feeling of joy I felt. Her testimony was simple but so strong. I started to cry (don’t make fun) thinking about how amazing this family is and how happy I am that I could help them. After another member shared that we had challenged him to share pamphlets with others this week. He said that he had doubts but his little daughter motivated him and said they had to do it, they gave away 3 and he was very happy to do it. It was a powerful testimony meeting. Today we got up at 5 am to go help a different member with his corn collecting. It was difficult and we had to carry them on our back up a big hill. I was very tired but once again happy to help. This week are changes and I really really don’t want to go. I want to end my mission here. I will let you know what happens. I really love Rio Blanco and the people here. I am glad you are home safe and enjoyed your trip. I love you so much. I can’t wait to Skype you, it is coming up very fast. Have a wonderful week. You are in my prayers and my heart.
Love J

District Leader - November 26, 2012

I’m doing great. Sounds like you are having a blast and seeing so much. What a life, eat, sleep, and dive. haha. Glad you’re safe and doing well. I am just about over my sickness. Just a little cough left. We had interviews Friday.  At the interview the son of President Maravilla called me over and gave me some turkey they had made. It was so good, so yes I did have turkey for Thanksgiving.  Just a little late. Well interviews were interesting. Changes are in a week and a half and President pulled the other two elders from their area and sent us two other missionaries. I became District Leader for right now and we'll see if I stay as District Leader for the next change. I did my first baptismal interviews Friday. It went very well and I enjoyed talking with them. The baptisms were for the other area. Because the elders were changed I had to scramble Saturday to plan a baptism last min that is not mine or in my area. Our assistence has raised again Sunday and I am very happy for that. We need to find more people though. I love the area, I really really love the members and I can’t believe how fast the time is passing. I love you and hope you enjoy your last week in the Philippines. Can’t wait to talk to you again. Do you have an IPad?

Baptism - November 19, 2012

I do love talking on the radio. I have felt a few more small quakes but nothing big. I had my first English class that went very well but only a couple people showed up the first day. I hope it gets better. We had the baptism Thursday. We went to the church and started to fill the font and after about 2 inches of water it stopped. There was no more water in the church. We were scrambling for solutions and talked with the District President. We did the baptism at his house in a big font thing he has of water. The water was ice cold. The member that did the baptism said a couple words wrong of the prayer, but the water was so cold that the hermana left for the warm shower immediately after. We knew it was wrong and looked at the District President but he did not say anything. The baptismal service was amazing and very spiritual. Well we had to do the baptism again so Friday we scrambled to get her back in Rio Blanco and I baptized her in the freezing water. She was really good about doing it again and is probably one of my best converts. She is doing prep with the presidency about going on a mission. I’m so happy for her. Friday night was our wards family home evening night for all the members. It was in Cabrican which is over an hour away. We had two cars to take us there. One was an elderly member that can’t drive. When we got in the car I noticed that the driver was his 12 year old grandson. I thought oh my goodness, a 12 year old is driving. But he did really well. Saturday was one of my worst days. I still have the cough. Saturday I slept in until 9 and I was freezing. I had 5 blankets and 2 heaters on and I was still freezing. My knees, back, head, and stomach hurt. After freezing I was burning up and sweat so bad. I felt crappy all day. I was in bed until 5. I feel much better but still not 100%. I felt bad that my comp was stuck inside for so long and that I missed our English class. I love the members. They brought me medicine and oranges and everyone asked if I was ok. They really love me. Thank you for talking with Weber. That is awesome that you got the decorations up. I anxiously look forward to your package. I hope Scott is feeling better. I am excited for your trip and can’t wait to hear about it. Hope you are both safe and happy and having a blast. I love you so much and send you all my love. Tell the Beus I love them too.

Love J

Earthquakes - November 12, 2012

I did feel the earthquake, it was huge. We were walking to Cabrican and in the middle of the road when we heard some doors shaking. We thought that is weird because there is no wind. Next thing we know the whole street is shaking. It was wild. We walked all the way to Cabrican, an hour walk with giant hills. We took a wrong turn and walked even farther. I did so much walking Wednesday. The mission called our other two comps and they came to get us so we had to stay with them that night. They said the quake was 7.2. I don’t think I have ever felt one so big. Thursday we went to give service to someone that their adobe house had fallen. So we worked for a long time. Yesterday in the afternoon I felt a long not as powerful quake but I heard that there was another strong one in the night but I did not feel it. Something else Wednesday was pretty exciting. We were passing by the local radio and we know the girl that works there. We were talking and she stepped out for a moment to talk to someone else. I was playing around and pretending to talk on the radio when she walked back in. She asked me if I want to speak on the radio. I said ok. I announced our English class we are starting this week. I loved talking on the radio in my radio voice. What made it even better was that a member told me they heard it. I want to do it again. Sunday I was very happy. Our assistence was 51 for the second time in a row. That is very good for us and I hope it stays like that and increases. In our gospel principles class our investigator was making lots of excellent comments. The class was on prayer and I was amazed with what our recent convert said. She shared her testimony of prayer and said because of prayer she knows the church is true. So amazing I was very pleased. We have a baptism this Thursday so I’m looking forward to that with much enthusiasm. Elder Guerra is doing good. He is having some back and shoulder pain and does not like that. BUT he is doing good. Still have the stupid cough. Hope it goes away this week. That is good that the mission sent you an email. I’m happy Jessica loved the letter. I love my sis. You have a cough too. I hope I don’t have a bronchial infection. Crazy that it snowed so much. Don’t really look forward to coming home to that. I’m excited for your trip and I can’t wait to hear about it. Hope this time your plane does not catch on fire. I’m sure you are very excited but also a little stressed to get everything ready. I know you will have a wonderful time. I look forward to your package. Speaking of packages. Can you have nana write me the receipt number of the package she sent me? The post office here can use this number to check where the package is here. I love you Mom and I’m glad I can write you. I’m doing great and I have enjoyed the opportunity to give service to others in their time of need. I love the gospel and know that it is true. It is so clear and powerful. I can’t wait to write to you again and to hear all about your trip when you get back in a couple weeks. Tell the family I love them. Tell the Beus I love them too and hope they have a great time. Love you Mom!

Love J

 

Happy Birthday Jessica - November 5, 2012

Elder Guerra is doing good. He was roller blading and fell and scuffed up his knee but he is more sad about ripping his pants. We are still trying to work out our way of teaching together. The cough and runny nose still have not gone away but I have hope that they will this week. I also had something get in my eye and it made my eye super red for a few days. I used eye drops and now it is better. Connie’s kids sound great I really hope she gets to keep them. Wow 70s in the end of Oct. There is some crazy things happening with the weather. I also heard about the hurricane. Sounds terrible. It is strange because I hear more about weather and the election from Guatemalans. They ask me what I think and I say you know much more then I do. haha. No one came by for candy, that is very strange. How are you going to get rid of all that candy you can’t eat? That is a bummer that no one got tickets for the Christmas concert. Guess we will just have to get tickets when I get back next year. I can’t believe Jessica is 27 either, wow how the time passes by. I love you Jess and wish you a very happy bday! Sounds like she has had a good time. You leave in 12 days, that is so fast. That is exciting to see the Bues' tell them I say hi and I love them. I need to write them again. You all are going to have so much fun. You both have done so much with the yard. I will help you when I get back. So last week I sent you a cool scripture about faith works by love. I got mixed up with another good scripture and told you the wrong reference. It is in Gal 5:6 check it out it is really good. This week was kinda slow and not super productive. Our two investigators that were progressing and have a date for baptism are now not progressing. This week we had a great conference with President about character. I can improve my character by developing the attributes of Christ. It was a very good conference and I have things I can improve and do better at. Sunday was incredible because our assistence went up to 51! That is a good number for us. I have challenged the members to read the Book of Mormon in three months and they are doing it, many need more motivation but they are doing it. I know this will help them. I know the Book of Mormon is true and is a great blessing for us. It helps us with our problems, it increases our faith in Christ, and it clearly explains the doctrine of Christ. I love it. Time is flying by and I have a lot more work I have to do here. I know if I follow Grandpa’s advice of losing myself in the work and working hard, always being positive then I will be happy with my work and so will the Lord. I’m excited for your trip and to hear about it. I pray you will be healthy and protected. I love you and I really am grateful for your letters. They are a strength and a blessing for me. Be happy and have a wonderful week. You are in my prayers, my thoughts, and my heart. I love you Mom! Can you do me a favor? Will you send an email to the nursing department of Weber State to remind them that I will be home in Feb. However because I get home in Feb and school has started I will not be able to start until the next semester. Take care Mom and I’m excited already to write you again next week.

Love J

We are some good lookin guys that are going to meet up in Utah.

My good friend and great comp.

Baptism of Anderson, we found out about this Tuesday before changes. 

New Companion - October 29, 2012

Well I did not have changes thankfully. I stayed in Rio Blanco. I went to changes and got to say goodbye to Elder Escobedo and Elder Evans. It was kinda sad. I got a new comp named Elder Guerra. He is from El Salvador. I know him a little from before and we get along great. I told Escobedo that he is invited to my house and we will see each other when I get home. Elder Evans too. I really hope Presidente keeps me in Rio Blanco for the rest of my mission. Still have the runny nose and cough but it is much better. Our shower has been great and nice and hot. I’m glad Corinne’s family loves the letters. What are the names of Connie’s kids? That concert sounds amazing. I would have loved that. I’m glad you went and really loved it. Do you remember the names of the singers? The concert sounds incredible. Crazy how involved everyone got. Lots of fun. It snowed! That sounds terrible. Here it is starting to get to the coldest time of year but it is still not that bad for me. Wow you leave the 16th. That is coming up so fast. You are going to have so much fun on your trip. I can’t wait to hear about it. Jessica’s trip to Disneyland sounds really fun also. I can’t think of anything for the package. I know anything you share will be great. Chocolate and habanero almonds are always a fav. Oh something else nice about changes is that we stopped at Wendy’s on the way back. So good. This week was pretty mellow. We did find one of our investigators Saturday and carried their stuff all the way to their house. Just so happens that their house is an hour away, but I’m glad we got to help them. When we were there we met the family. There are about 16 children there. The mom and family are very nice and we were able to teach 8 of them. They understand well but still do not understand the need to be baptized with the authority. We will keep trying. I have much faith for them. In church Sunday I directed the music. I liked seeing everyone’s face and smiling at everyone. I felt really really happy this day. There was a couple members that just got their privileges back and they both spoke. It was amazing to hear the excitement and love in their talks. I’m so grateful for the gospel and the power it has to change people and bring true joy into people’s lives. I was so happy Sunday and that reconfirmed to me how loving our Father in Heaven is and how true this church and the gospel is. I love you Mom and I love that we are a sealed family for eternity. I love that you are my mom and do so much for me. I can’t thank you enough. I hope you have a wonderful week and that you are happy and healthy. Can’t wait to receive your letters and hear from you again next week. You are the best! I love you Mom!

Love J

Thanks for the Letters - October 22, 2012

My week was good but went by way to fast. We taught a guy but at first he told us a story for an hour and we couldn’t get one word in. In the end he was not responsive to anything we had to say. The good thing that came from it was I discovered a cool analogy. He talked about a dr visit when he was in the U.S. So this is my analogy I got from that story. We go to the Dr to be healed. The Dr (God) knows what will give us the most out of life and help us. He gives us his prescription or order (the scriptures and the gospel). Even though he explained it well we don’t always understand. We apply what he gave us but not in the correct way that he prescribed it. So we need a translator (Prophet) to come and explain or clarify the orders of the Dr to our understanding. That way we receive the most benefit of the prescription. Kinda cool that I thought of that especially since I’m going into the medical field. We had a great lesson Saturday with a woman that is reading so much of the Book of Mormon and believes it is true. She feels something every time we talk with her. We taught her about the Sacrament in the church and she said she would be baptized, but she will not accept a date for some reason. I know she can be baptized. She said she will come to church but didn't. A guy we found last week that is really positive has accepted the Book of Mormon, says he believes what we teach and said he would be baptized. We put a date with him. He has been through a lot and is so positive and bright. He came to church yesterday and is so awesome. Two more assistences and he will be baptized. That makes me happy that his life is improving. Thank you for helping me get the book for David. I’m anxious to hear what he has to say. He is such an amazing guy and really is my brother. I know our friendship will last forever. That sounds fun dinner with Jamen and Camden. I thought he was older than 26. The pool is winterized and no more pool fun :( If they would have jumped in it would be like taking a shower here without the heater burr. This week I didn't shovel poop but we helped a couple members one night carry their tamales that they sell. My comp and I saw the door was open to a member’s house that they sell to. We snuck up and shouted TAMALES! the older woman and her daughter about fell over from shock hahaha. It was pretty funny. The members we were helping were laughing so hard the whole night. A 4 day weekend sounds nice, but too bad you can’t spend it in the pool. Diabetes is crazy. I don’t understand how it randomly goes super low and then a little later super high. Sounds scary. I pray that you will be able to control it and not get sick. I’m going to be on the edge of my seat all day today. Tonight I hear about changes and I don’t think I will have any. I don’t want any. I really want to stay here. All the members really love us. We talked in church yesterday and I talked about the Book of Mormon. It is amazing how many members really have not read it. I talked about the importance of it and how it does no good if it remains closed or we don’t know all that it contains. I have had a runny nose and a cough the last couple days. As I was talking I started to cough and couldn’t stop or complete my talk. The District President said he would get me some water. Here comes the funny part. I was expecting some water from the drinking fountain, but two seconds later he is next to me with the sacrament cups. I took a drink and was able to finish but I felt a little strange and had to laugh about it. At the end I challenged everyone to read the Book of Mormon in 3 months and follow the paper I will give them. After three months all that finished will come to a party activity we will have. So I really want to stay here the whole time to be here for that. I hope Richard and his family are doing ok. They will be in my prayers. I got some dear elders this week and I can’t express my love and gratitude for them. Thank you so much Mom, Nana, and Grandpa. They are letters filled with love and inspire me to do even better. I don’t know what I would do without all the letters. I am going to give each of you a big hug when I get home but for now Mom I give that duty to you. I’m sad for this change because my comp is going home. It will be different. He said he wants to meet you and that he will come to my homecoming. He lives in a little town in Nevada but is going to BYU. Mom I love you and love even more that you are my mom. I love that we have the gospel and the many blessings it brings. I’m thankful for all that I have and the opportunity to improve and learn more. I can’t wait to talk to you again next week and I can’t even explain how excited I am to talk to you in Dec. When is your trip? That will be so fun. I’m thinking about the after mission trip you talked about in my dearelder. I love you and pray for you. I hope you and the family are happy, healthy, and filled with so much love and blessings.

Love you forever Mom,

Your boy, J

Earthquake and Farm Work - October 15, 2012

I still hope I will get Nanas package. I have no idea what I would give people here for Christmas. I will think about it. This week was interesting. We went to go visit a young woman that is a member but she was not home. So we helped her mom that is not a member with some farm work. I can now officially say I have had my closest experience with farm work. We went into her barn and she wanted us to shovel the cow poop into a big pile so they can use it as fertilizer for the corn. Well no one had cleaned it for months. I have never piled so much poop. It was tiring. I felt bad though because she said if we were not there she would have to do it herself. Well after a while of making a giant mountain of poo we cut some fire wood and that was also very tiring. I felt good that we helped her though. What is Scott’s fav color? It is red right? We had two really good lessons with investigators and they are looking very positive to be baptized. Only problem was we invited them to church and set up a ride because they live far away but on Sunday both were sleeping and did not come. I had a couple fights with my comp but that is normal because we are two different men. I actually learned a lot from it. I have a better challenge of being more patient and selfless. I can think more before I react and try to only speak blessings and good things with calmness. Things are great between us and I’m glad I can learn to be even better. I got a good idea about challenging people and placing a date for baptism. I am an authorized representative of Jesus Christ with His authority. I can promise as His representative and with authority that by the date of baptism the person will receive an answer and if they do their part they will be prepared to make that sacred covenant with the Lord. I know I can always do that but it came with more power right now and I need to make that promise more as an official missionary of Jesus Christ. Late Sat night I was awaken by my bed shaking. We had a pretty good earthquake that shook things up. It was probably the biggest I have felt here. Pretty crazy! That is way cool that Holly and Steve came to visit. You really canned a lot of tomatoes. I love tomatoes and the soup. I have some good recipes with tomatoes and peppers from Guatemala to make you when I get home. They are very simple but really delicious. 21 people at dinner is a lot, I miss all the family and that would be a fun time. We really have been so blessed with the family we have. I have a much greater desire to really enjoy and spend more time with all my family. I love them all and I’m eternally grateful that you are my mom and for the wonderful relationship we have. I feel we can talk about anything and have been talking a lot more. Another blessing from my mission. Your trip to the Philippines is coming up very quickly are you excited? I love you Mom and love Mondays when I get to hear from you. My time is winding down and before I know it I will be giving you a big hug and a kiss. I love you Mom. Take care, be healthy and happy. How are the blood sugar levels?

Love you and anxiously await next week.

J

Conference was Amazing - October 8, 2012

Conference was an amazing spiritual two days. I really loved it. We tried to set up the TV to watch it in English but it was not configured so we could not get it. There has been problems with the internet in the church also and we have not had it for over two weeks. Well we were very blessed because the internet was working Saturday. We watched it the two of us on the computer in English. Priesthood was the only session we had to watch in Spanish. All the talks were amazing and I look forward to talking to you about them. Can you believe this is my last conference in the mission? That is crazy. That is crazy the age of 18 for males but more crazy 19 for females. That is huge for the women. I imagine many more sister missionaries. I did not know Heather would be able to put in her papers in a year, wow. Pres. Uchtdorf's talk was one I wanted to share with you today. I loved the biking story. Enjoy the journey, especially right now in my mission. When he talked I thought about spending more cherished time with my family after the mission. I loved that happiness is available all the time if I choose it. So when times are rough I can choose to be happy still and look for the good. Be thankful for all the small things in life. So powerful. I have said this before and I will say it again. Every time I listen to Pres. Eyring I cannot help but think of Grandpa Walker. His spirituality, love, humor and so much more. I imagine that is the same advice Grandpa would give me. Helps me feel Grandpa is close even though he is in another country. I can’t wait to talk with Grandpa when I get home and receive advice from him too. I love him with all my heart. He is like a father to me. Don’t forget Grandpa, you are very loved. The ask the missionaries was wonderful I hope more people ask us. During the two days of conference we had 7 investigators come to conference. That was wonderful and I hope that they felt the spirit and will progress. I finally got David’s package this week. It was wonderful. An incredible letter from him and one from Nancy. Fruit snacks, candy, vitamins, beef jerky, meal shakes and a shake blender bottle, and some other wonderful stuff. Oh and really amazing pics. He appears to be very healthy and doing great. Still no word about Nanas package though. Not sure if she can talk to the post office about it or if they can even do anything. But I will keep looking. Elder Escobedo and I have a funny joke amongst us. In some of the bible videos it shows people renting their garments. We love it and joke about doing it when something is really crazy. Last week we played volleyball with the members and my shirt came untucked in front, hanging out of my sweater. I invented the missionary version of renting your garments. We were losing in volleyball and I had tucked my shirt back in. Well as we were losing I did this motion of grabbing my shirt in the front and untucking it in a forceful downward motion. It is pretty hilarious to see. So now when the two of us have something happen, like a lesson that gets canceled we do the shirt untucking. I will have to show you when I get home. The area is still pretty hard but I really think I want to end here in Rio Blanco. I love the members. I feel refueled by conference and I’m ready to make miracles here in my area. I thought about you and the family during the conference and I cannot explain how much I really love you and I’m grateful for you. You have helped me in so many ways and your continued love and support is uncomparable. I pray that you will be healthy and blessed by our loving Heavenly Father. I love you and am very excited to talk to you more in a week. If it is like this last week it will pass very fast. Love you and send my love to all the family.

Your Baby Boy!

 

October Already?! - October 1, 2012

I’m so glad that you got the letters. When I was visiting with her I could not pass up that opportunity. Her family told me yesterday that you got the letters. I’m glad that everyone liked their letters. Not sure what would be a good gift for them. I’m sure you will get them something wonderful and thoughtful. That is crazy that your blood sugar is dropping so low. Any reason why? Bummer you missed the baptism. I’m sure she loved the ring and hymn book. That is a tuff question for things for President. I know that he really loves Snickers and Dr Pepper. But something thoughtful would also be good. The bananas are a good idea. We sprayed some spray and cleaned all the blankets and that helped but I think last night a flea tagged along with me from a members house cause I got attacked. I have been eating a lot of bananas lately so hope that helps. That is so cool that you got to swim the last day of Sept. This week Elder Escobedo and I were walking and it started to rain so hard. We had umbrellas but our shoes and pants still got soaked. We started to have fun though. As we walked with our umbrellas we were singing "Singing in the rain" and dancing and splashing in puddles. I wish I had it on video. We laughed pretty hard. Wednesday was our activity. We had drinks, popped lots of popcorn, and had Mormon messages as trailers. Then we watched How Rare a Possession. Unfortunately only about 10 members came and only about 6 investigators. I was disappointed but what can you do. Yesterday was hard because only 27 people came to church. Our goal is 75. We are dropping a lot and I don’t know why. We really talked with the branch and told them we all need to do more. So today we are returning early and sacrificing our pday to train and practice with the members on inviting people to conference. Hopefully with more member visits more people will come to church. It has been hard in Rio Blanco. I believe it is really going to teach me how to rely on the Lord and how to follow the spirit better. I’m trying to learn and improve. This week we also ate flour tortillas with a member. They are so good. I ate about 8. I also got to eat real figs right off of the tree. It was neat and I’ve never ate a real fig. Speaking of, I can’t really think of anything for Christmas except chocolate (maybe kit kats) and some fig newtons. I’m sure whatever you do will be great but I don’t expect anything. The letters from you will be the best. I’m so excited for conference and can’t believe it is already here, or my last one in the mission. I would love to share conference thoughts with you. Mom I love you and think you are the super duper best. I love you and can’t wait till we can talk again. I pray for your health and happiness. Have an incredible week and know that you are so loved by your boy. I send hugs and kisses and my smile.

Love J

 

Got Fleas - September 24, 2012

Thanks for the awesome letter Mom. No packages yet but I was told they have my package from Guatemala and is just receiving it now. The movie night was changed because of scheduling conflicts so we have it this Wednesday and I think it will go very well. The weather is cold but with a sweater it is really nice. These last days have been very sunny so kinda hot. The morning is a little cold when I get out of bed and worse because right now the hot water is not working again so it’s back to cold showers. Sounds like the pool days are coming to an end this year. That is cool that you went to David’s presentation. I will listen when I get home. I think I will use the products and even work with David. I love his parents they are amazing and always treat everyone with so much love and respect. They are my other parents. I feel I have a lot of those. That’s crazy that your blood sugars are so crazy. That would not be fun sitting in a meeting with the sweat chills and wanting to vomit. Really amazing though that you made it and felt better. I wish I could have seen the dedication. I’m very excited to go to the temple and see Nana and Grandpa. I can imagine the power of listening to Elder Packer. My little Hailee turns 8! Wow! I can’t believe it. I wish I could see her baptism. You will have to send me pics. I think they liked my bday cards. A member here had her sister visit from Utah. Guess where she is from? Layton! Really close to us. I talked with her and she asked if I wanted to send anything. So I sent some letters. There is some for you and the family, Nana and Grandpa, Great Grandma. Hopefully you get those this week. Last week we had an amazing conference with Pres. I thought of so many things I can improve. It was really inspiring. Hermana Maravilla gave my comp and I a package for baptizing a family. We got some cookies, old spice deo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, hand sanitizer and some other stuff. It was very thoughtful and I loved it. So I was thinking the other day and something makes me kinda upset and sad. I can remember tons of movie quotes and knowledge and other things that aren’t really important but I struggle remembering important things like lots of scriptures and talks. I have learned where are lots of scriptures in the Book of Mormon and the Bible but it is not as easy as movies. I need to learn how to improve that. The week was hard but I know lots I can improve and we are going to keep pressing forward. I have a question. I remember you wrote me about this when I was in the coast but I don’t remember. We have fleas in our house. We got spray and sprayed but we still find them. I don’t know if there is something I can use so that they don’t bite me. What will keep them off my body? Yep fleas are lame. Thanks to the other elders before us. I love you Mom and love your letter. Thank you for your prayers and support. I hope you feel better and your blood sugar is normal again. I pray that you will be healthy, happy, and continue to be my amazing mom.

Love your Baby Boy

Independence Day - September 17, 2012

We did not have any changes in all of our district. That is very nice. I want to stay here till I end. My week was good. I finished the New Testament a couple weeks ago and that was awesome reading it in Spanish. I also finished reading a book called Believing Christ. That book is so good. It talks about the atonement and really made me think of it in a better way and learn more about grace. I highly suggest reading it. We were in a store this week and I saw a jar of peanut butter hidden on the counter. I asked the lady if she sells it or where she bought it. She said it was from family but they don’t really eat it. So she gave the 2lb jar with only less than a third used, for FREE! I could not believe her kindness. What a nice lady. I love the peanut butter. I had another strange experience. We were walking home one night and this car was headed right for us. It stopped and it was a guy we knew that is not a member. He said he needed help and wanted us to get in his pickup with his wife and kid. We got in to help him. He said they had locked their dog up in their barn to protect the cows but they found the dog free outside their door. They feared that they have a cow thief. We went and the wife and guy carried machetes and we carried lights. Turns out the dog had got free from the rope and everything was fine thank goodness. It was a strange adventure once again. On Saturday it was the Independence Day here. We saw a couple parades of the marching bands of all the schools here. Then we played basketball with a couple members. Well I was wide open and ran to the basket and decided to slam dunk it. Well I dunked it and hung on for a minute not really thinking about it much. Turns out the hoop is old and I bent the whole basketball frame. I felt super bad and stood on some chairs to bend it back. Had no idea about my own strength haha. I was told that they got one of my packages from Guatemala. I think it is David’s but not sure yet. Have no idea where Nana’s is yet. Hope it gets here soon. Yesterday we taught an investigator that has read the Book of Mormon once and is now in 2 Nephi 24 for the 2nd time. Yet she still will not get baptized. It is fear of her family. They are giving her a hard time for investigating. Her son crashed his bike pretty bad a couple weeks ago and the family said that is a punishment for investigating. It is really sad and I hope she feels the Spirit and has the courage to do what is right. We are having a hard time getting new investigators and having people progress right now. I know we can do it though. Our activity movie night is this week and I hope it is good. Elder Jacobson is funny. I know him a little bit. That is a great scripture. I will think about Christmas things. I’m so happy you are going to the temple dedication. I want to hear all about it. I know it will be amazing. I am so excited for General Conference in a couple weeks. I am getting ready. Shortly after conference Elder Escobedo my comp goes home. That is sad. I want to meet my twin haha. That is crazy. I bet that was kinda hard for you. I would talk in your ward. I want to talk in the Syracuse ward also cause I love all them. I was also thinking that I would go to your ward. I really love everyone in Syracuse and I will go see them often but yours is closer and that would be nice. That food sounds amazing that Crispin is cooking. I want to cook more when I get home. I want Grandpa to teach me about gardening and Nana to teach me to make some amazing things. I bet you are very dark. You have to send me a pic. I still can’t get over how dark you are in the pic of you and I on the 4 wheeler years ago. I bet you are very dark though even if you don’t think so. All you can eat shrimp sounds so good. Get as much pool time in as you can. I can’t wait to go swimming with everyone. I’m sure I will lose track of a lot of time. Mom I love you and really love your letters. You are the best and I’m glad you are doing great right now. I am honored to be your son and love you with all my heart. I have so much respect for all you did for our family and all you have been through. You are truly amazing. I love you!

Tear Gas - September 10, 2012

This was a very interesting week. I can now say that I ran through TEAR GAS! That’s right tear gas. We went to the temple on Friday because a family that Elder Escobedo baptized in another area was getting sealed. We got in a bus at 4am and when we were in Xela we got stopped because a road was closed. There were so many people in the streets. As we were walking this long street we heard a small bang and everyone started running towards us. We kept walking and one area was very smokey. Well that smoke was tear gas. I walked through tear gas and it started to burn my throat. As we were walking we saw about 40 police in formation in complete riot gear with shields and smoke guns. It was crazy and I have never been in anything like that. Well we made it to the temple. The session was amazing and I learned some new things. It was good to remember my covenants again. After the session we went to the sealing and I think that is the first actual sealing I have seen. It was so great. I really loved when the little girl came in with her little baby brother. The little girl looked so great in her white dress. I was feeling great and very happy to be a part of that. After we went to lunch at a place called San Martine. I had a delicious Monte Cristo sandwich, a Santa Fe salad, and tortilla soup. It was so amazing I stuffed myself. Then I treated myself with Tortuga brownies, brownies covered in vanilla ice cream and caramel and nuts. I was in heaven and really thought about food from home. I got a cardigan and a purple and gray striped sweater last week and everyone here really loves them. I will have to send a pic. Still no card yet? I still have neither of the packages. Lame! Wednesday is changes and tonight they let people know. I hope I don’t have changes. I want to finish here in Rio Blanco or at least the mountains. That’s kinda crazy what sis heard from Jennifer. I like Jennifer and want to visit her and her family when I get home. Crazy things happening but I know what I have to do for these last six months. It will go by so fast I can’t let it escape me. Thank you for always being there. Peach Days sounds so amazing. I miss the family and the Dutch oven dinner. I’m really happy that Connie's kids fit right in place. That is not fun that you got sick. I hope you are feeling better. David wrote me and told me that he went to a convention for USANA and they gave all 9000 people a free Ipad. Crazy! I think when I’m home I want to use some of the USANA health stuff. I love you and am glad you are enjoying the pool. Get as much time in as you can before the weather goes bad. I really look forward to swimming everyday and playing in the pool. I love you Mom and I’m sending a letter to Corinne. I hope you have a wonderful week. I keep you in my prayers and I’m so grateful for your love and support. It really makes me feel like the luckiest son in the world and helps strengthen me. I look forward to writing you next week. You have my hugs and kisses all the way from Guatemala. LOVE YOU MOM!
Your baby boy

Happy Birthday Aunt Holly - September 3, 2012

I have gotten the dearelders completely. Sometimes I don’t get half of one cause it was not brought with the other mail but I get them. I love your endings every time. The Brigham City Temple open house sounds so amazing. I wish I could see it. But I will go when I get home and it will be even better because I will see Nana and Grandpa as workers. It always amazes me how many people they expect at the open houses. It truly is a great opportunity for the church. I’m really happy for Connie and that is so wonderful that the kids fit right in. I pray that she gets to keep them. I am going to bring them a little surprise when I get home. My goodness this pool keeps getting better and better. I am so excited for the time when I get to just relax by the pool and listen to music and swim laps to get looking super fit. haha. The Zigich family pool party sounds like a true success. I’m glad they all loved the pool and more the company. That is a great thing about the pool, that the family can come together and have fun. That is scary how low your blood sugar got. However, the good side is that you got to enjoy all the food. Crazy that your levels got so low though. Thank you for sending the pics for Great Grandma and Nana. I wanted to send some pics in my last letter I wrote them but I was not able to do it in time. I have some pics to send though. You sending them for me is much easier and faster though. I can’t believe you have not got the card yet. That really bothers me. I hope you get it soon. We worked hard on the things inside. Still no word on David's or Nana's package. I am talking with the office about sending someone to Guat to pick up one of my packages there. Not sure if it is David’s or Nana’s. I keep asking them to keep an eye out for my packages. I don’t know if I told you but when we had interviews last week Hermana Maravilla told us because we baptized a family she had promised to send a little gift package for us so I’m excited and honored to get that from her. This last Monday I had an interesting adventure. About ten of us missionaries have bought little dart guns and on Mondays we are nerds and have dart wars in a members house playing with the 20 year old son. It is funny and we all really enjoy it. Well last Monday someone was running into a room and the door was closed. As he pushed on the door trying to open it he did not see the class window on the door and his hand went through it cutting his hand. Well my comp and I went to the hospital with him to get stitches. Well I had an interesting experience in the hospital that worried me. We were there and I was watching the Dr lift up the huge flap of skin and clean it and put a needle in it to numb it. Things started getting really hot. Next thing I know the room started to get fuzzy dark. I knew what was happening so I decided to sit down and kinda slid down the wall to a sitting position. I got super pale and sweaty for a few mins. My comp and the other guy were laughing with me after I felt normal again. I have no idea why I passed out. I have not had that problem before in my classes and work. It really scared me because this is my career field. I started to second guess myself. What if I can’t do it? I know I cannot think of it now and that when I get home I will work it out.  However, all that day I was really disappointed and sad. In other news I don’t have Holly's address so I need you to tell her from me with much love HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wanted to write her a letter and send her a pic but I don’t have the address. So please tell her from me I didn’t forget and I wish her a happy day and lots of love. In the mission we have a thing called the Successful zone. Well this last month we were almost the successful zone, but we are only a district so that was really cool to hear. I really love the members here. We have been putting our area goal of baptisms in the houses of all the members to say that this is not our goal as missionaries but our goal as the Rio Blanco Branch. I hope it helps us work with them more. It's been kinda a hard week. I can truly see the difference in working with members. Contacting for our own methods is not successful at all. I have hope that we will find more people to teach cause we need them and that they will keep their commitments. Another good thing is that our church attendance has gone up every week since we have been here. There were a few members that were not able to come this week, otherwise we would have broke 50. Our goal for attendance is 75. I’m starting to get the mountain cheeks. That is a thing that is very common here. Your cheeks are red from all the sun. But I love the mountains here and it is so pretty. We are planning another activity in 2 weeks. It is a movie night for our branch. We are going to watch How Rare a Possession. Have you seen it? I bought it. It is so good. It is about Parley p Pratt and an Italian that finds a Book of Mormon and it changes his life. We will watch it together. Well Mom I want to tell you that I’m doing great. I love the mission and I’m trying to learn so much and really improve myself. I love you with all my heart and the mission has really confirmed my gratitude for you. I thank you for all that you do for me and especially your love. I love the family and want them all to know that they are special to me and I plan on giving a big hug and kiss to each of them when I get back. Until next week. It will come around so fast again. 

Love your baby boy, J

Hit the 18 Month Mark - August 27, 2012

I can’t believe it has been 18 months already. My goodness how fast the time is passing. I love the comments I got about passing the 18 month mark. I love Tyson, and David really made me laugh with the baby boy comment. Our activity was so successful. We refused to start on Guatemala time (late) so at 4 with only a few people there we started and pretty much everyone missed the spiritual part. Then we played games. We had Qúe Pasaría, everyone writes whatever question and then you pass it around the circle and someone answers the next question then when you get your question back you read it with the answer to the other question it is funny. We played bowling with pop bottles but you have to kick a ball instead of using your hands. Last we played bingo. I was in charge of bingo. No one has really played it. I liked it a lot. A few times I called a letter like x or other letters not on the bingo paper and everyone would look down and search then look around confused and I would tell them it was a joke. I thought that was pretty funny. Then we had a small chicken dinner. The church was filled with more than a hundred people and about 50 nonmembers. Everyone said it was so fun and they have never seen an activity as successful or good as that. The only bad part was at the end of the activity I started getting a really bad headache and I threw up. I laid on the floor while they cleaned up then went straight home and slept. I felt bad cause after there was a branch meeting for a birthday and everyone went except us. But I needed the sleep and felt much better the next day. On Friday we went to San Marcos for interviews with President. I love talking with him. We had a great talk and he is proud of what I’m doing in Rio Blanco. That night we had a fireside with him. It was incredible! He talked about how we can help teach so investigators have a hunger. We talked about prayer and focus, desires, and the spirit. It was so powerful. I learned a lot. I can really feel the love that President has for me. I thought about something that made me feel so grateful and wonderful. I know how much President Maravilla loves me, I know how much my family loves me, how much my friends love me. If all of them love me so much then Christ loves me so so much. I can feel His love through the love of those close to me. We are planning another activity for next month. It is a movie night and we will watch How Rare a Possession. It is about the Book of Mormon and it is so good. I bought it from the distribution center. When I get the dear elders they are in bunches but it is about every other week more or less. Still no news about the package from Nana. I talked with the office about sending someone to get my package from Guatemala that is held there. I can’t believe you have not got your letter yet. My comp and I are very anxious for you to get it. That is cool that Camden is becoming a better swimmer. The pool party would be awesome with the Zigich family. You will have to let me know how that goes. I want to see a picture of the completed pool. I’m loving the mission and I’m happy. Can’t wait to hug you though and tell you more about the mission. I love you so much. I love your letters. Thank you Mom for those and for everything you have done for me. Your support of me going on a mission and being in the mission have been lifesaving. I hope you have a wonderful week. I imagine your long weekend will just be chilling at the pool. I’m a little jealous. Love you Mom and send all my prayers and love to you.
Your baby boy!

Super awesome apple

Mi familia bautizada

Their super cute baby