3:47 pm
We need to write a 5 min talk and prepare a 10 min lesson as a companionship for every Sunday, in addition to our daily lessons for investigators and language study and everything else.
We had pancakes in our breakfast food, and it was too sweet! Weird how your palate changes....the breakfasts here are more substantial, almost like a lunch. We also had pasta with alfredo or some white sauce for dinner last night, and I didn't like it as much as I usually do at home. American food is strange now! It will be interesting to adjust back when I come home, I like the food here a lot.
And the fences are covered with what I think are morning glory plants, the flowers are huge and very beautiful, dark purpley-blue and purpley-pink, almost as big as my hand? Very nice.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015 -- Day #3 Guatemala MTC
9:37 pm
So today was like having a fire-hose aimed at me, or being in a giant wave pool 20 feet deep and being expected to swim! Crazy! But it was good.
The food here is amazing, there's a little sweet pastry or something with each meal, and it is so good, our only sugar all day and it is so sweet!
We sit by the latinas at mealtimes, and we each try to speak to each other in the other's languages, it's hard! They are here for 2 weeks, we are here for 6 weeks. We are growing closer together as a companionship and have strengthened each other and helped each other become better people already. During one of our meetings, we watched a video and it talked about how we need to know our investigators as people, and children of God. There was a quote somewhere along the lines of: "God sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
God has faith in us! I hadn't thought of that before. We are also learning to pray in Spanish today, it is hard. I also bought a set of scripture cases for my escrituras en espanol, they are so colorful and beautiful! They took our cameras (will be returned when we leave CCM) so I will have to send pictures sometime after I leave, but Guatemala is a beautiful place, although the streets are absolutely crazy!
So today was like having a fire-hose aimed at me, or being in a giant wave pool 20 feet deep and being expected to swim! Crazy! But it was good.
The food here is amazing, there's a little sweet pastry or something with each meal, and it is so good, our only sugar all day and it is so sweet!
We sit by the latinas at mealtimes, and we each try to speak to each other in the other's languages, it's hard! They are here for 2 weeks, we are here for 6 weeks. We are growing closer together as a companionship and have strengthened each other and helped each other become better people already. During one of our meetings, we watched a video and it talked about how we need to know our investigators as people, and children of God. There was a quote somewhere along the lines of: "God sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
God has faith in us! I hadn't thought of that before. We are also learning to pray in Spanish today, it is hard. I also bought a set of scripture cases for my escrituras en espanol, they are so colorful and beautiful! They took our cameras (will be returned when we leave CCM) so I will have to send pictures sometime after I leave, but Guatemala is a beautiful place, although the streets are absolutely crazy!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 -- Day #2 Guatemala MTC
10:18 pm
So that was an incredibly crazy day! We didn't have anything with us that we needed, and we had no idea where we were going or doing. But hopefully tomorrow goes smoother. Hermana Brady is going to my same mission, so we're hanging pretty tight, and we make a trio with Hermana Kleinman, who's going to the Comayaguela mission. They are seriously like the most awesomest girls ever. We are rooming next to a group of Latinas next door, so I'm sure we will need to get to know each other fairly soon, as we are seriously jumping in to the Spanish language.
We had interviews with the CCM Presidencia today, and Presidente Alvarado asked me to speak to him in Spanish...I think I did fine. Presidente Cox is the CCM president, he is great and speaks Spanish very well, Hermana Cox's accent leaves something to be desired, but I can understand everything she says. They're nut farmers from California, good people.
The Spanish is starting to come back as we've heard it all day long, hopefully I'll pick it up again quickly, I hate being unable to communicate. So we hit the ground running tomorrow and pray that we can stay awake and have our understandings open to the things we need to learn so that we may go forth and teach the children of God.
I thought I might quickly bear my testimony in the limited Spanish that I remember at this time:
Yo creo que Jesucristo es my Salvador y Redentor. El Libro de Mormon es verdadero, y la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimo Dias es la unica iglesia que es verdadera en la tierra en este dia. Yo creo que mi familia puede ser para todo el tiempo, y yo quiero esta cosa con todo my corazon. Me encanto mi experiencia misional, y yo tengo amor por mi Padre en el cielo. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.
English translation:
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. The Book of Mormon is true, and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth this day. I know that my family can be together for ever, and I wish this with all my heart. I love my missionary experience, and I love my Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
So that was an incredibly crazy day! We didn't have anything with us that we needed, and we had no idea where we were going or doing. But hopefully tomorrow goes smoother. Hermana Brady is going to my same mission, so we're hanging pretty tight, and we make a trio with Hermana Kleinman, who's going to the Comayaguela mission. They are seriously like the most awesomest girls ever. We are rooming next to a group of Latinas next door, so I'm sure we will need to get to know each other fairly soon, as we are seriously jumping in to the Spanish language.
We had interviews with the CCM Presidencia today, and Presidente Alvarado asked me to speak to him in Spanish...I think I did fine. Presidente Cox is the CCM president, he is great and speaks Spanish very well, Hermana Cox's accent leaves something to be desired, but I can understand everything she says. They're nut farmers from California, good people.
The Spanish is starting to come back as we've heard it all day long, hopefully I'll pick it up again quickly, I hate being unable to communicate. So we hit the ground running tomorrow and pray that we can stay awake and have our understandings open to the things we need to learn so that we may go forth and teach the children of God.
I thought I might quickly bear my testimony in the limited Spanish that I remember at this time:
Yo creo que Jesucristo es my Salvador y Redentor. El Libro de Mormon es verdadero, y la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimo Dias es la unica iglesia que es verdadera en la tierra en este dia. Yo creo que mi familia puede ser para todo el tiempo, y yo quiero esta cosa con todo my corazon. Me encanto mi experiencia misional, y yo tengo amor por mi Padre en el cielo. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.
English translation:
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. The Book of Mormon is true, and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth this day. I know that my family can be together for ever, and I wish this with all my heart. I love my missionary experience, and I love my Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 -- Day #2 "I'm here!"
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| My room in the CCM, my bed is the bottom bunk on the right |
Hey, I survived the trip, chilling in the MTC, or CCM (Centro de Capacitacion Misional) now. Put bags in room, had breakfast, gonna go shower and take a nap, have lunch, and start the day. I will be able to write on Tuesday or Wednesday, don't know. Still write me on Sundays, I'll always get it on Monday, just can't respond then right now.
I love you! It's gonna be great.
Send happy thoughts and keep smiling!
Love you!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 -- Day #1 Flight to Guatemala
2/18/15 (technically) 2:42 am
So, this is gonna be a very long flight to Guatemala, but at least I'm on it now. I am so totally exhausted, I'm gonna write this stuff down and go to sleep!
Everyone feels like it's just past midnight, but I'm still on Texas time (same zone as in Honduras and Guatemala) so I'm having a hard time, dozed off in the airport waiting for my flight. They just gave us little ham and cheese sandwiches and a brownie on the plane, which was nice, I was starting to get really hungry (haven't eaten since pizza time). Turns out that little lost looking guy was an Elder, another one came running by like 5 min before boarding to go to Los Angeles--they both look so young!
In LA there was a group of like 10 Elders and 5 sisters that descended upon me, taking all these group pictures and wanting to talk... I was too tired to deal with it all so I gave some quick answers and fell asleep on a chair. Finally got on the plane and had to fill out an immigration form that I didn't know what to do with, I did as much as I could, I'll try to figure it out in the morning when we land.
They also gave us bright red Delta blankets, which was nice, gonna try to sleep with that, I'll use my snowflake one when I wake up cold. Onward and upward, my friends!
9:22 am
Alright, that was rough. Slept fitfully for all that time, could not for the life of me get very comfortable, was blessed because I sat next to a sweet Guatemalan man. Turns out he didn't speak English, and I didn't really speak Spanish. He scooted over to the window seat and I curled up kinda on the aisle and middle seats.
Finally made it to Guatemala, we flew in just as the sun was rising, there's a huge volcano nearby and the land is very mountainous. The houses and buildings are square and colorful, like the pictures. The people here are a lot more Aztec-looking than the Mexicans back home, hard eyes, but kind faces. In LA I met up with 9 Elders and 6 other Hermanas, I'm rooming with Hermanas Kleinman and Brady and they are amazing!
So, this is gonna be a very long flight to Guatemala, but at least I'm on it now. I am so totally exhausted, I'm gonna write this stuff down and go to sleep!
Everyone feels like it's just past midnight, but I'm still on Texas time (same zone as in Honduras and Guatemala) so I'm having a hard time, dozed off in the airport waiting for my flight. They just gave us little ham and cheese sandwiches and a brownie on the plane, which was nice, I was starting to get really hungry (haven't eaten since pizza time). Turns out that little lost looking guy was an Elder, another one came running by like 5 min before boarding to go to Los Angeles--they both look so young!
In LA there was a group of like 10 Elders and 5 sisters that descended upon me, taking all these group pictures and wanting to talk... I was too tired to deal with it all so I gave some quick answers and fell asleep on a chair. Finally got on the plane and had to fill out an immigration form that I didn't know what to do with, I did as much as I could, I'll try to figure it out in the morning when we land.
They also gave us bright red Delta blankets, which was nice, gonna try to sleep with that, I'll use my snowflake one when I wake up cold. Onward and upward, my friends!
9:22 am
Alright, that was rough. Slept fitfully for all that time, could not for the life of me get very comfortable, was blessed because I sat next to a sweet Guatemalan man. Turns out he didn't speak English, and I didn't really speak Spanish. He scooted over to the window seat and I curled up kinda on the aisle and middle seats.
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| Flying over Guatemala |
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| Landing at Guatemala Airport |
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| In our bus to the Guatemala MTC |
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 -- Day #1 San Antonio to Guatemala
4:58 pm
Well, I got safely to the Salt Lake Airport! I'm waiting my 5 hour layover, will depart for Los Angeles at 9:56 pm, if all goes well. Eating some late lunch, trying out my new AlphaSmart keyboard (thanks for the Christmas present, Dad!). I found a pizza place near my gate and got a personal pepperoni pizza and a milk, also bought a water bottle for the flight. Pretty delicious.
The goodbye at the airport was somewhat tearful, I'm gonna miss my family, they are so awesome! But this is gonna be a super awesome experience and I am so excited! I feel all "missionary-ish" in my button-down shirt and skirt, hiking around in my flats and backpack. Super stylish, I know! But they're pretty comfy so far--my watch is still taking some getting used to.
I'm glad they let my AlphaSmart through security, that was the easiest run through I've ever had, I think. Slip shoes off, backpack in bin, walk through and strike a pose, hold for 3 sec, walk off with my stuff. Sweet. Hopefully everything else goes smoothly, today is not really a good day for my flights to get messed up! My flight from San Antonio to Salt Lake was good, I will say that 3 hours seems like so long when you aren't doing anything but sitting. I didn't bring my phone or any books or other activities because I'm a missionary now. The guy I sat next to was the definition of a hipster male: shades, brown felt hat, soft, off-white t-shirt, very short, dark hair with a fabulously full, 9" long beard, skinny jeans, and brown leather boots. Looking good! He was listening to some music with earbuds, with the volume so loud I could hear the bass and percussion, interesting effect for the entire flight. Oh, and also reading some document on his Apple computer about becoming successful and using positive affirmations or something along those lines. Overall, a pretty swell guy.
Hopped off the airplane and made my way over to where I'm at now, a mighty good little walk, I think, popped in B terminal, hiked over to C, finding a phone to call Momma to let her know I got there alright and then went to find some food. Also saw a guy with his mom that looked missionary-ish, heading the other way from where I was going, so we'll see if I find any buddies while I'm here, still got a while until my flight. So that's where I'm at now. Taylor Swift is playing and I'm eating a pizza. I'll check back in a little while before my flight leaves.
P.S. The AlphaSmart doesn't have a delete key, and the send button is where it would be situated, so I keep hitting it by accident.
P.P.S. My kangaroo pouch is fantastic, just FYI, nice little pocket thingy, very comfortable to have on ya, I put mine in the small of my back. It's especially helpful considering my skirts don't have pockets.
P.P.P.S. I wonder how much text this can hold! Haha!
7:45 pm Well, I'm still here waiting. A lost, younger-looking guy wandered into the waiting area for my gate in a suit, perhaps he's a missionary? Looked kinda dazed and confused. I've also developed a headache, took a Tylenol and drank some water. I hate headaches.
Well, I got safely to the Salt Lake Airport! I'm waiting my 5 hour layover, will depart for Los Angeles at 9:56 pm, if all goes well. Eating some late lunch, trying out my new AlphaSmart keyboard (thanks for the Christmas present, Dad!). I found a pizza place near my gate and got a personal pepperoni pizza and a milk, also bought a water bottle for the flight. Pretty delicious.
The goodbye at the airport was somewhat tearful, I'm gonna miss my family, they are so awesome! But this is gonna be a super awesome experience and I am so excited! I feel all "missionary-ish" in my button-down shirt and skirt, hiking around in my flats and backpack. Super stylish, I know! But they're pretty comfy so far--my watch is still taking some getting used to.
I'm glad they let my AlphaSmart through security, that was the easiest run through I've ever had, I think. Slip shoes off, backpack in bin, walk through and strike a pose, hold for 3 sec, walk off with my stuff. Sweet. Hopefully everything else goes smoothly, today is not really a good day for my flights to get messed up! My flight from San Antonio to Salt Lake was good, I will say that 3 hours seems like so long when you aren't doing anything but sitting. I didn't bring my phone or any books or other activities because I'm a missionary now. The guy I sat next to was the definition of a hipster male: shades, brown felt hat, soft, off-white t-shirt, very short, dark hair with a fabulously full, 9" long beard, skinny jeans, and brown leather boots. Looking good! He was listening to some music with earbuds, with the volume so loud I could hear the bass and percussion, interesting effect for the entire flight. Oh, and also reading some document on his Apple computer about becoming successful and using positive affirmations or something along those lines. Overall, a pretty swell guy.
Hopped off the airplane and made my way over to where I'm at now, a mighty good little walk, I think, popped in B terminal, hiked over to C, finding a phone to call Momma to let her know I got there alright and then went to find some food. Also saw a guy with his mom that looked missionary-ish, heading the other way from where I was going, so we'll see if I find any buddies while I'm here, still got a while until my flight. So that's where I'm at now. Taylor Swift is playing and I'm eating a pizza. I'll check back in a little while before my flight leaves.
P.S. The AlphaSmart doesn't have a delete key, and the send button is where it would be situated, so I keep hitting it by accident.
P.P.S. My kangaroo pouch is fantastic, just FYI, nice little pocket thingy, very comfortable to have on ya, I put mine in the small of my back. It's especially helpful considering my skirts don't have pockets.
P.P.P.S. I wonder how much text this can hold! Haha!
7:45 pm Well, I'm still here waiting. A lost, younger-looking guy wandered into the waiting area for my gate in a suit, perhaps he's a missionary? Looked kinda dazed and confused. I've also developed a headache, took a Tylenol and drank some water. I hate headaches.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 Airport Goodbye
San Antonio Airport - Last Goodbye!
mis-sion-ary, {noun}
a person who leaves their family for a while,
so others can be with their FAMILIES FOREVER
so others can be with their FAMILIES FOREVER
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