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