Pictures--don't forget to read the email following them

Christmas Jammies!

Wreath that Destinee made for Christmas

Cookies that Destinee made for Christmas

Comalapa

volcano visible from Comalapa

view of the volcano from Comalapa

Hermana Benavides standing in front of the school of tires. The people of Comalapa call it the school of the Gringos because there are a few North Americans that are working on it

Ducks for Dad (a family joke)

most of our last district- Elder Pearson and Elder Knight, Hermanas Garcia and Guaranda, And us (Hermana Benavides and Hermana Park)

Us with Hermano Juanito on Christmas Eve

A parade of Mascots on Christmas

short email--pictures coming.......

Yeah, I am. (Happy--I mentioned how happy she sounded in her phone call) I had bought pb from the office so I still had some, and I made cookies that we could take to give to people while we caroled. I will keep the jar you gave me as back up. 

I had a feeling that Kade would call not too long after me. (Elder Kade called while we were on the phone with Destinee and had to call back later--just like everything else with their missions--she is minutes ahead of him--lol) Ha ha.

I think I am coming down with something too, but I am not sure. It could be that I am just tired. I have had headaches every day for the past 5 days. That is really not fun.

Hey fog... I know that stuff. I see it often here. Luckily there is no rain though. 

Oh yeah, I don´t know if you sent the birthday package yet... more likely yes than no, but if not, I do have 1 request... dried apples. It is funny the things a person can miss. I can´t find dried apples here, or spinach, or cottage cheese. 

Oh, speaking of food I have had many tamales. I ate one while on divisions in Antigua, then last week for Christmas Eve we had tamales with the Xocop, on Christmas we received tamales and gifts from a family that we teach english to the kids... the kids are actually not very young, but we call them the family with the four kids because we recognize who we are talking to, like ¨la familia de los patojos.´´ The oldest is 22, the second 20, the third 17, and the fourth 15. Anyway they gave us tamales. Then we had black tamales with the family Rodriguez... yuck. Black tamales are much sweeter and are made with chocolate, but still have the meat and the same outside. Those are too sweet for me. Then we had red rice tamales last night. I think I don´t want any more tamales for some time... too many. I am sick of them already.

It´s fun to receive all of these mini letters. (I had her siblings write mini messages on the email this week) Thanks all. I am going to send more pictures this week and write less because I already told you basically all that happened the past week. Love you lots. Love Desty

email, and a journal entry--oh and pictures!

Well, this week was interesting. We found more of the inactive members and found out where others live. I think we are going to complete our goal of finding all of the inactive members this month. This past week on one of the days, we were studying and heard a knock at the door of the gate. I opened it and there were the Jehovah Witnesses. They gave us a flyer that I put in my journal. Now we have found their house, and they have found ours. Another day, in the night, Elder Black was telling us some words he had learned of a language called Pokoman or something like that. I said it sounded like Pokemon and this caused Elder Black and his comp Elder Manzano to begin laughing, and they laughed, and laughed and laughed. This morning on the bus we were listening to techno and there was a song that reminded us of Captain Hook and the crocodile. At the end of the song someone said, ´´I´m going to get you´´. This made it even more funny.

These are photos with 2 of the investigators, Katherine and William.

So we also had divisions for training meetings. Hermana Benavides went to the training in Patzicia and I went to San Pedro Antigua. It was so cool there. Here is my journal entry from that day. 

December 17, 2010

We had divisions so I went to a little colony of Antigua named San Pedro. It is a beautiful place, the temperature is nice, the people are friendly, and the house is huge and pretty. The elders were living there up until the last change- Spoiled they were. We went to a ward devotional tonight and I participated by singing in the choir. There was a RM from our mission who came to watch (Elder Aceituna). He said it was strange to go back to a normal lifetyle, to not be able to put on his plaque again.

It is so cool to live so close to the volcanoes. Although some people might think it scary, as I did before the mission, it really isn´t and is actually awesome to see an active volcano blowing smoke or causing huge flashes in the sky at night. 

Oh, so I´m with Hermana Gaitan here in Antigua speaking 100 percent spanish, but it´s okay. I occasionally think of when I have to leave to return back home, and I know I will miss it here. I love Guatemala.

Well, that was it for that. Of course I do miss it a bit to be at home, but I really do like it here. Spanish feels so natural and here feels like home. This week and last week there have and will be posadas, catholic processions in which they carry statues of Mary and Joseph and go from house to house seeking refuge. It is cool. I´ll send pics. Well, I am going to send pics right now, but as for my testimony, though you won´t be able to understand:

Yinwetaman re ri kolonel k´es chuqa xa kayew ta roma roj. Ajaw, katata´, yiruwajo roj. Roj oj rajkual ri ajaw. Joseph Smith e ko ach´el re q´ij, rub´i Thomas S. Monson. Ajaw ritzijoj kin roj. Yinwetaman re ri rochoch ri Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días kitzij. Yinwetaman re ri wuj richin ri mormon kitzij, chuqa ri ach´al´al k´es e tunul katzin. 

Love you all. Adios

This week......

I don´t know the details of the (Christmas) call other than it is usually on the 24 or 25 

Just to think of it, Christ is actually walking with us here! He has helped us contact and teach and protects us from all the creepy people that might want to hurt us. He points out those who need attention from us- like the little kids that only want to say hi. It is so worth it... 

We too are prepping for Christmas.  Sorry I won´t have much to write about this week, well at least in long form. So...

 

There were plenty of funny experiences this week. For example, one day in the church we were about to leave and Hermana Benavides said, ´´Gracias Presidente´´. He replied, ´´Baya, Presid...´´ and then all of us began to laugh. Christian G accompanied us wednesday and was in a good mood and wanted us to walk fast. Well, we took him to meet the family Son Otzoy and the two girls like him, but some events happened that Hermana Benavides doesn´t want me to tell until after the mission so I will have to keep them.

 

Thursday I had to call the branch counsel to repentance because all began talking about how the church building will not be built because no one´s coming to church, there have been no baptisms, and the members aren´t doing anything. All were discouraged. Alma 26:27 entered my mind and I shared it with them and told them not to be discouraged because one day the church will grow in Comalapa. This changed their attitude. And on Sunday we had 59 people and 2 investigators that came to church, a number that has been higher than the last 4 weeks.

 

December 11

Really it is difficult to be on a mission. Not only do we have all the different sufferings, but also each missionary takes upon his or herself the willingness of condemnation. All those we teach have agency to accept or reject the gospel message. If we teach well with the Spirit and do all we can, and they reject it, it is to their condemnation. If we didn´t teach well and they reject it, i is to our condemnation. 

 

Sorry, that was only part of the entry, but got to go. I love you all. Adios

Mission President's tour of the Mission with Elder Martino

Guess which Hermana is Destinee?  Hard to tell, isn't it?

Staying in Comalapa!

Tidbits:

I am writing today because they made yesterday a normal day. Ok, I´ll say. I am staying in Comalapa with Hma Benavides for another change.

Today is warmer here too. For the last few nights and mornings it´s been freezing.  

I still have bites, yeah, but I am getting used to it all.

From Journal entries: 

December 1, 2010

Wow, all that happened today. First was day of cambios but we didn´t have them. Entonces... I played a joke on the family Sotz. We went early about 9, and they let us in- really it was just Hermano Cesar and his mom. I told them we came so I could tell them goodbye, we shared a message, and then left. As we were leaving I gave them a bag of cookies and a note that said, ¨Yo voy a quedar.¨ Much later when we saw Cesar he told me in English, ´´No more lies´´. I said I wouldn´t again. I don´t think I will because I felt really guilty after visiting with the Sotz. 

 

Another experience we had today: We were paused in between, or rather at the cross or intersection of an alley and a street and I told Hna Benavides of a family that lives at the end of the alley. As we were stopped there eating cinnamon rolls, I saw the Jehovah witnesses couple of Comalapa coming up the street contacting doors. As I realized that they were moving toward us I remembered a quote dad sent me that Satan will leave no stone unturned in disrupting the work of the Lord, so I said to Hna Benavides, ´´Maybe we should contact that family before they do.´´ So we stopped eating and hurried to the door where we found the father of a family. 

 

When we visited Blanca Salazar and her children she gave me a deer made of pinewood.

 

Part of December 3, 2010

I´ve been thinking... Many people here put their trust in dreams as revelation. At first I was critical of this and thought to myself ´´there are more common ways of revelation.´´ A few nights ago, Christian Guaran told us that dreams are a form of revelation. I began to change my thinking because I have personally received revelation through dreams so I know it´s possible. It may be that the people here are more open to this form of revelation, while most in other places would esteem a dream as naught.


Well, those are the journal entries.

Also, yesterday we had some cool experiences. We went to find an investigator, she told us she didn´t want to receive us anymore, so with much determination to fight against Satan and defy him, I decided that I would talk to the first adult that came our way. It happened to be a woman pushing a wheelbarrow. I offered to help, she let me, and so we walked with her to the house. When we reached the house I pushed the wheelbarrow to her yard and her husband was outside working. He appeared confused as I greeted him, then I bid them farewell and left. As we were leaving the area, I could see her husband standing in the dirt road just looking, still really confused as if thinking ´´who are these people?´´ It made me laugh and I felt really good. 

 
Also, sunday morning we were walking away from gathering people for church and passed Walter Katu. He asked us why we are always so happy. We didn´t know exactly what to say at first, but then I told him it is because we are living completely the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for these experiences that I have here in the mission. I know this church is the true church of Jesus Christ, that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today and can receive revelation for the world. I know that Christ lives and that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us. The Book of Mormon really is true, written by prophets of old. I love you all and wish you well this week to come. Adios. Love Desty

Thanksgiving was fun......

Well, thanksgiving was fun because we wanted to make it somewhat US style. We had planning in the morning and then we began to prepare the food. I made peach pie, and we also made mashed potatoes (instant), canned corn, rolls, and beans. And I made homemade stuffing! just for me because Hermana Benavides doesn´t like stuffing. It was actually easy to make and tasted like Grandma´s stuffing, only not as crunchy. Basically I boiled a bit of water and margarine, then put in the bread crumbs and seasonings and then it was done. Ha ha... finding new ways to make food. I realized that most of my recipes I didn´t write down but I have them memorized, like the kitchenetics white bread, pie crust, oatmeal cookies... the ones I made often.

We contacted a man who said we can come and teach his family of 7. We also saw and talked to 1 of our investigators who has a fecha meta. We never can find him in his house. Then we saw military men and talked to one of them. There were a lot of them and at first it was a little unsettling, but it helped to remember that the armies of God can conquer any earthly army if needed be. And then Hermana Benavides had a crazy idea to contact in the front of the bus so we did without any visible success. Later we heard that the first lady (president of Guatemala´s wife) came to Comalapa and this was the reason that there were military.

Tonight both Christian G and Michelle Sitavi accompanied us to visit. Both appeared quiet and pensive. I tried to get them to smile by giving them a bright yellow post-it note and telling them it´s so the people can see them coming. They smiled but both were more-the-less serious as they put the post-its on themselves. This made everything even more comical.

 

To explain who these two are, Christian is the missionary leader of El Tejar. He works in Comalapa during the week and is in the Tejar on the weekends. He has family in Comalapa, one of these is Michelle, his cousin. 

 

On Sunday I gave a talk about the mission work. Maybe I will send a copy to you if I have time. Tonight we find out if we have changes. If we do, the changes are on Wednesday. I will have to let you know next week. Still we are learning Kaqchikel. I have been able to share parts of messages in Kaqchikel with people. It is really cool. I am so grateful to learn it. Rinwetaman ri Rochoch ri Jesucristo de los Ultimos Dias kitzij chuqa k´es Jesucristo. Roj oj rajk´ual ri ajaw. Majun oj ko solitos. Yiniwajo rin chuqa yinwetaman re´ tak´aslem siempre e tunul.

Love Destinee

Thanksgiving will be another normal day.

Responses to my email:

A mission is so worth the sacrifice. If someone doesn´t go, they will have doubts and regret the rest of their life. I sometimes wonder what would happen if I wasn´t here- if I didn´t choose to go on a mission. I think I would be pretty bored. Crazy things happen here all the time, and at home, I definitely wouldn´t progress as quickly. It is the best growing experience ever. A mission is really hard, but I have never been so happy.

And her email:

Okay, so this past friday we had three way divisions among Comalapa, Patizia, and Chimal 3. Hermana Garcia came here and Hermana Benavides went to Patizia. Earlier that morning we taught Walter Katu. After the lesson, he told us that he cannot receive us because he assists another church. Nothing could describe the sorrow I felt, but Elder Knight said that this is the feeling of when we have charity for these people.

So the first thing that happened during divisions was that we were walking to the family colaj and there was a drunk man that grabbed my hand, and tried pulling me toward him, but I stood my ground. He began crushing my thumb and I was thinking ´´ouch, that really hurts´´, so I did a martial arts hand maneuver and released myself. Hermana Garcia thought it was hilarious. 

Later, Hermano Emmanuel accompanied us for an hour, but nothing worked out. No one was at their house. Then the next hour to 8 in the night Hno Cesar accompanied us. At one point Hermana Garcia must of misheard because she thought that Cesar was preparing to go on his mission, although he´s been off the mission for 2-3 years. So all the night she thought that he was really preparing. Even his mom didn´t say anything when we went to teach her. Finally at the end of the night I told him in english that he doesn´t need to lie anymore. (She didn´t know either that he speaks english). The reaction of Hermana Garcia was funny. 

Well, love you all. Hope all goes well this week to come. And say hi to Grandma and Grandpa for me. Tell them I love them much! 

Love Desty

Pictures of the murals of Comalapa, Campground Las Colinas, the jackolantern Hermana Benavides made..

New Investigators!!!

This past week we found two new investigators. One of these is named Walter. He likes to talk much, is 22 years old, and knows much about the Bible though he says he doesn´t. He´s the young man that ran in front of us and asked us to visit and teach him. He is going to be baptized and I am going to make sure of it because any person with as many doubts as he has definitely will be prepared to eventually be baptized. 

On Wednesday we had interviews with President Baldwin. That night we also had a Noche de Hermanamiento (not quite sure what it is in English) {Brotherhood Night-I looked it up}at the family Cate, who lives out in the Boonies without lights. Some interesting things from this night were: 1- They were going to dedicate and bless the house and hermano Cesar Sotz pulled out his Missionary Manual! After a few years or so of being home from his mission he still carries it with him. I am going to do this after my mission. 2- Upon leaving we wanted to call Emmanuel to ask him to accompany us to another cita. Hermana Benavides asked Hermano Cesar, ´´Tiene su cellular contigo?´´ Cesar replied, ´´Sí pero no es con TIGO´´ (Tigo is a cellular company). Then President Xocop pulled out his phone and said that his was with Tigo. It was funny. 3- On the way back, and walking with the group, Hermana B fell twice so hermana Xocop sent Cesar to accompany us because he had a light in his cell phone. I asked him if he understands what the music he listens to says because he listens to music in English. Then he replied in English and we discovered, to our astonishment, that he speaks and understands English because he learned it on his mission. It really surprised us because we did not know all of this time. 

There was another night when we went to visit Juanito and found him with a walking stick raised in the air, at the door of an Evangelical Church, talking to the greeter. We interferred because we didn´t want him to hurt anyone, but he was upset because this church always has their music really loud. After the visit with Hermano Juanito, we returned and talked to the greeter and I wrote a nice note to the people who control the volume. We didn´t want any more problems with them and Hermano Juanito, who can´t sleep with the music.

Stuff......

Some responses to my email to Destinee:

Here in Guatemala there are lots of dogs and cats that love attention. In the houses of the members, especially the family Xocop and Sitavi, their pets beg to be petted and have attention. Many people here have curly-haired, white chuchos (dogs) that are so loveable, but I miss cocker spaniels. 

We don´t have heat. Only blankets and jackets to keep us warm. I am sure it isn´t as cold as there in Utah, but it sure feels like it. I hope when I end my mission I am in the mountains so when I arrive to Utah it won´t be as bad. If I finish in the coast, I will need you all to bring me several coats and blankets. ha ha. 

I also have learned to be less picky. There is plenty of food here, but the people serve us strange things sometimes... atol being one of these. Luckily for me I can stand any atol but the white corn, which each time I try it I have to work hard to keep it down.

From the Guatemala City Central Mission blog

October 2010 Sister Activity

Destinee wrote last week that they made lasagna.  The blog also said they had a craft activity.  They made flower pins.  Destinee has hers in her hair.

(L to R) Hnas. Perez, Park, Benavides, Angel,
Rubio, President, Hnas. Ralph, Rio, Robles and Vicen

 

 

kiwajo juleychik.........Love one another

 So, we worked hard these last two weeks and had no visible success on Sunday. However, Angelina Sotz, mother of Cesar, came to church. She´s the only progressing investigator but hasn´t accepted a baptismal fecha. Last night, sunday, Cesar told her about why he was baptized because she and her husband did not hear about when the baptismal service was going to be (this was about 11 years ago) and so they didn´t see him get baptized. Finally we are moving forward with her.

 

Last tuesday we had zone conference and Elder James Martino spoke to us. He told us to have a vision of the work of the Lord and acheive higher goals by raising the bar. Sometimes we are pushed to higher limits to see our true potential. 

 

Tell grandma and grandpa thanks for the card they sent me. 

 

As of last week the back door won´t unlock. The bathroom is outside so to reach it we have to go out the front door and around the house. 

 

Wednesday was our pday. It rained most of the afternoon. We also ran out of gas for the stove so for a while we have been cooking food in the microwave. It´s been getting colder. At night we pile on jackets and blankets. 

 

We also learned how to sing ´´Love one another´´ in kaqchikel. Now I know it in 4 languages.

´´Achel yixinwajo yin, kiwajo juleychik

  Jun kakan tzij, kiwajo juleychik

  Roma re xtiwetamaj chi yiniwojk´aj

  Xiniwajo iwi jun ki junchik.´´

 

On Sunday, we were doing visits with Hermano Emanuel and we passed by his younger brother and sister (both teeagers) and their cousin buying food from one of the vendors so we stood right by them so they´d feel guilty. It really was a funny experience. 

 

Tell everyone I love them, especially Kiana because I ran out of time to right her. Tell Tyler to be good. 

 

And finally,

Rin wetaman chi re samaj ri ajaw kitzij. Ri rochoch chin Jesucristo chin los Santos de los Ultimos Días kitzij. Roj oj rajk´ual ri ajaw. Ri ru kajol ri ajaw kés chuqa rija ka kolonel.  Ri Wuj richin ri Mormon kitzij chuqa ru ch´ab´el. Rinin oyon roma tacoxela ri ajaw chuqa ruma Jesucristo chin nib´ij ru ch´ab´el. Ach´alal k´es para siempre. Les quiero!

Love Hermana Destinee Park 

 

And from one of her journal entries, 

November 6, 2010

Our day was filled with not much success. Those we had set appointments with were not home those we contacted were not interested in hearing. We didn´t have lessons with members either. On top of all this it was cold because the winter months are here, or rather the summer months which are only summer months because there´s no rain. However, as we were walking home, suddenly a young man ran in front of us and stopped us.

´´Which area are you from?´´ or ´´De donde son?´´ he asked us, to which we replied, Comalapa.

He then explained how he was friends with the elders before, where he lives now, and that he wanted the missionaries to visit him. After he left, Hermana Benavides and I were overjoyed because all week long we had worked hard with little success and then someone comes who WANTS to hear. What a miracle. 

 

Another interesting story from Hermana Park:  Sometimes when we have Hermano Emanuel accompany us people ask me if he´s my brother because the family Rodriguez is originally from the capital (guate) so they are more canchito- lighter.

Look what came a couple of hours after my email today!

Destinee's sink

 Hermana Park in the purple, Hermana Benavides next to her in brown, Hermana Garcia in green

 In answer to my email:

Here it is getting colder. They say the cold months are from November to February. Here we celebrated Halloween on our own. They don´t celebrate it in most areas of Guatemala although it is recognized, but I have heard that in Xela they celebrate it by dressing up in costumes to scare people and having parties. For our Halloween we made carmel, chocolate-covered apples and we bought a ayote... it is basically a green pumpkin. We have that type of squash in Utah, I believe. It´s insides are like spaghetti squash. Hermana Benavides was excited to carve a face in the squash, and I was excited because I have more vegetables I can eat. We haven´t had many, but first I found the corn out back ready, then we decided to cook the Wiski (this is kind of like a potato, like a turnip when cooked, and is green when raw), and finally I had the excuse to buy squash. Yay! Today is Day of the Saints, but it isn´t like a halloween or anything. They just celebrate the saints. 

For the corn they plant it in april and it is ready in december or something... not sure. I don´t know much about how long it takes. I just know how to check because that´s how dad and grandpa park taught me. Don´t know much more.

And Destinee's email for today:

We now have a goal to contact at least 10 people each day. Although it appears low, it is difficult to do when running to the next cita. (from her journal: We helped with an attack of area in Parramos, where we contacted and received 7 references for the elders there. It was awesome) 

Last pday we went to the mission home and had an activity with the sisters and Hermana Baldwin. We made lasagna and had lunch. This all will sound choppy, tal vez, sorry about that. Also last week we were talking one night with one of the sisters of the rama, Melissa Xocop. A truck came toward us and one of her sons, Pablo, cried out ´Vamos a morir!´´ (We are going to die) We had a good laugh that night. 

Oh yeah, we celebrated halloween friday night because saturday was a zone fast and sunday we had divisions. 

Hermana Garcia came with me to Comalapa. We had much fun because not only did we work hard, but we also had Hermano Emanuel accompany us and the three of us discovered a new area of Comalapa. Also hermana Garcia wanted help with her pronunciation so it was fun to hear her say words and have the corrections, if needed, from Emanuel. 

Okay, running out of time. Did you receive the photo of Hermano Juanito? I´ll probably send it again. Also, sad news, but the familia Ramirez is going to move! wah. Yuri Ramirez usually accompanies us to the citas. Their family is great, but sadness now. 

So one day I will be able to have this memorized and know enough kaqchikel to share all of my testimony in it, but this will suffice for now.

Rinin tacoxela chin ri ru kajol ri ajaw, Jesucristo. Rinin oyon roma ri chin nib´ij ru ch´ab´el. Roj oj kajol ri ajaw. Rin wetaman chi ri rochoch ajaw chin Jesucristo ri los Santos de los Ultimos Dias ja rija kitzij. Jesucristo vive y es nuestro salvador. Pa ru wi ri a kajol Jesucristo, amen.

Love you. Bye

Something cool from a journal entry she sent: 

´´Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with a voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.´´

This is from Alma 29:1-3. I think this is the desire of every missionary. Alma continues,  ´´I am a man, and do sin in my wish for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.´´

Instead of looking to that which we do not have- that which we lack, we have the responsibility to use what we have and make something with it.

While we are waiting, a lesson in the Keqchikel language

Destinee sends emails to her sister with Keqchikel translations.  (not all of it´s spelled right)  Here are a few:

Xqaq´i (pronounced shkak i)- means good afternoon

Xoqaqa (shokaka)- means good night

 

Good morning- (Sekershka)

Adios- kad´ik´a

It is lost- sach

careful- nichketnein

don´t fall- ni´atz zak

 

K´na una oracion (kahnah ooh nah orah sion)- We are going to pray

Ki xam´p (key shampay)- Come

Nek (nack)- no

at´ta (aht tah)- Father

Matioxi chave at´ta (mahtee oshee chahvay aht tah)- We thank thee, father

Dios ka tu kuan (deeos kah too kwan)- God go with you

Utz a wach (ootz a vech)- how are you?

Utz matiosh (ootz mahtee osh)- good, thank you

xin (sheen)- corn

cotun (coh tune)- food

ch`at (chaht)- bed

 

Rochoch ajaw (raw choch ahaf) - Church

Wochoch (Vachoch) - My house

Rochoch (Rachoch) - house, specific

jay (hi) - house, general

ajaw (ahaf) - God

multiox (mah tee ohsh) - thank you

tab´ana utzil chuwe (tahb ahna ootzeel choovey) - do me a favor

takoyu nu maq (taco you new mahk) - please

aq (ack) - pig.

 

I come from the North- Rin pajotol in petenek (reen pahotoal een peteneck).

What is your name?- Achike a b´i rat (acheekay ah bee raht)

 

To say ´spirit´ is Ux lab´ixel (oosh lahb ee shell).

Rin nu b´i´ (reen noo b ee)- my name is

Jun (hoon) - one

ka´i´ (kah ee)- two

oxi´ (oshee)- three

kaji´ (kahee)- four

wo´o´ (boh oh)- five

waqi´ (bahkee)- six

waqxaqi´ (bahk shahk kee)- seven

wuqu´ (bookoo)- eight

b´eleje´ (behleyhey)- nine

lajuj (lahoo)- ten

 

 

 

 

 

 

happy 5 month mark

Today is Destinee's 5 month anniversary.  It was 5 months ago today that we dropped off Destinee and Kade at the MTC to serve the Lord.

Oh yeah, those tremors.....and Hermano Juanito

Destinee asked last week if there was any earthquake activity in Guatemala because she had felt tremors twice.  Here is what I found out:  On 10/15/10 there was an earthquake.   It was a 5.0 magnitude and was 55 km (35 miles) W of Escuintla, Guatemala 70 km (45 miles) SSE of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala 95 km (60 miles) WSW of GUATEMALA, Guatemal.  It never even made the news........ 

She also mentioned that she would get a picture of her with Hermano Juanito who thinks she is skinny and asks her if she is doing okay.  She wrote in a previous email that "he is a little old man (4´6´´) who refers to me as the Cancha or Canchita, a name which means a person is very fair or whiter. He is always worried about whether I am eating or if I am ill. He and his sister are fascinated with the canchitos, though I don´t know why. He is an active member but loves visits from the sister missionaries because we sing to him. The first time I saw him it was just a silhouette of him and he reminded me of a chinese kung fu master because he has a big sombrero." 

Well, today we get to see Hermano Juanito:

  

And here is Destinee's email for today:

Yeah, I haven´t received a dear elder for 2 weeks and doesn´t look like we´ll get them this week either. Changes didn´t affect me. I am still here. And hermana benavides is still my companion. No one left from our district except elder crosby. Now he is back in Salt Lake City, but the rest of us are still in the mountains.

Yay! I am hermana karate. (the father of one of the sisters in Destinee's area calls Destinee that after the incident with the man on the bike) Check that out. Ha ha, yeah for hermana garcia it was a drunk guy, from what she told me. We´ve had many interesting things in the chimal area. A couple of years ago there were elders in Comalapa, but they took out the missionaries for a year and a half because one of these elders got in trouble with one of the members, or rather they found him with her. Before that there were Hermanas, but one of the hermanas was found to be in a relationship with a man that has an obsession with North American girls. We ran into him in the street one day and Hermana Benavides introduced me to him as Hermana Park from England. She didn´t know why she lied, but sometimes perhaps there are reasons we do things like that... For example, Nephi who had to kill Laban.  

With cooking there is no problem. If I don´t have something made, I make it up. I had to improvise on making some foods and they´ve turned out great. The corn is ripe... and black. I´ll send a picture. Hermana Benavides doesn´t think it is ripe because everyone of Comalapa says it won´t be ripe until may, but the corn is full and heavy, and I don´t think it will stay up too much longer. What says you? I thought it tasted good too. Unfortunately, we need more vegetables. Corn doesn´t count, nor onions. I plan to buy some vegetables soon because I am going crazy. Well, I will try sending the other pics. Love you! 

Well, I couldn´t upload pics because my camera needs new batteries. But next week.

 

Emails, some answers to my questions, and PICTURES

We made donuts to bring for the youth so that they would help us bring people to church. We didn´t have any success with that, though. And I make international food for hermana benavides. She likes making desserts and pizza and french toast. I usually make papusas, tortillas, I´ve made crepes... cannot think of too much more lately that I have made... oh, and salsa yesterday with tomatoes, onions, lime juice, and salt. It was delicious. Here is an interesting fact. The limes are called limones, and lemons are called lima-limones. There is another fruit that is like an orange but doesn´t have a strong flavor that is called lima.

How was your day with Hermana Garcia?  What did you do?  Her mom said you were going to Chimal.  How was that?

The divisions were fun. I liked it in Chimal. It was warmer and there was a lot of beauty there. I learned much from Hermana Garcia. She prays every time she enters or leaves the house. I should pray more. She also said how creepy (mom's know) it was that her mom knows everything and asks her about it before she even writes home about it.

The cat wasn´t a problem. Hermana Benavides took care of it. It died before I even woke up.

 About the idiot guy who grabbed you--you did the right thing.  Remember your Karate training! 

Yeah, I am so glad I took karate which heightened my reaction skills. We actually passed him while we were walking home a couple of nights ago. I didn´t see his face or anything the night that he touched me, but both me and Hermana Benavides had a bad feeling as we passed this guy. But now I am always on the defense with piedras because I know I have got the skills of aiming thanks to the days of work at the theater and rubber band wars. (for all of you theater friends, I am sure you know what she is talking about)

I haven´t been taking my vitamins every day, but I should start because I need to get rid of this cold I have. As for changes, we won´t know until tonight if we are going to have them. I will let you know next week. So I am going to try uploading pictures now to see if I can send them. Bye

And now PICTURES:

my last district (her first district in the Guatemala City Central Mission)

Hermana Earl and I  (trainer and first companion in the field)

The house (the house she lives in)

Hermana Benavides and our ride in the back of the truck to Chimal

Comalapa

Oh, and so this past week. What else happened? We had a zone meeting where we met with the zone of Solola... something like that. I was going to have another divisions, but we didn´t because the other hermana hurt her ankle and couldn´t do it. During this day, I felt tremors twice. Once at 5:30 in the morning, and the other during the meeting. Do you know if there was an earthquake that happened somewhere? (there are always earthquakes in the area because of all the active volcanoes)

More Pictures!

The following are pictures taken while making papusas with the family Sotz.

 

More pictures of Comalapa

The next picture is of a spinning wheel. Comalapa has much weaving. It is awesome to watch them work.

We had a rain storm that included hail. So I took a picture of it. Also, the water has to be poured so hermana benavides was carrying the water but the container broke, so the one of me is sweeping out the water.

 Destinee's house is the green building you can see in the first picture.  She is standing in the "kitchen", which is a separate building.

And in closing, Destinee wrote the following:  I am so grateful to be here. It is difficult, I cannot lie, but the growth I have seen in myself is incredible. Time really does pass quickly when we work hard. I want you to know I love you. Life may be hard, but I know we can get through it. I know this church is true. It is the true church of God. He has created a plan for us that we can return to live with him. And I am grateful I can live eternally with you all. Got to be obedient and get off. Love Desty

D034D585-5259-E93B-CCEB-BD7D4C1EB62B

1.02.28

"You had better run"

Okay, so what happened this week? Not much, and yet a lot. Basically it was just a busy week of trying to get people to keep compromisos (I forgot how to spell this word in English) and getting them to church, but no one came to church of the investigators. We had a low assistance (attendance?) of 50 this week. Usually it is around 65. We need 90 to have a chapel built. Oh, so our church is a building of three levels with a hole in the ceiling to allow light to enter. The sacrament room is just an open room off to the side, without doors. However, during sacrament it is very organized, like our home ward in a way. The priesthood waits to be excused to sit instead of getting up right after the sacrament. The good thing about being in a branch is that there are so few people that I have the chance to know each of them. One of the families I have the chance to know well is the family Rodriguez. Hermana Coni is in the Relief Society presidency. Her daughter and grandchildren live with her. Hermano Emanuel is the mission leader and is preparing to leave on a mission soon, but waits a while for medical reasons. His sister, Alejandra, comes with us often for the visits. Last night we had splits with Hermana Coni and Alejandra and Alejandra and I returned earlier so I waited in their house and met the cats, Omale and Lucas. The youngest boy, Andres, played with the cats the whole time so that was my entertainment while I waited for Hermana Benavides and Hermana Coni. 

Well, about the adventures of this week, the first was about a cat. We left the house one night and there was a very weak kitten outside of our door, so we tried finding out where it came from and asked all of the neighbors. No one claimed it, and it died the next morning. We had to dispose of it in the barranca. That same night that we found the cat, I had a bad experience. I was waiting for Hermana Benavides to open the door to our house and could see behind me a man on a bike approaching. I saw him slow down and approach closer. My thought was, Crap, what am I going to do? Then he came to me and grabbed my hip. Well, I was already tense from much earlier walking in the dark. I grabbed his arm with my free hand, turned around very quickly and nearly pulled him from his bike. At the same time I yelled at him in one of the loudest yells I have ever done. It scared the crap out of him and he took off fast, running and trying to ride his bike up the hill. I yelled after him, ¨You had better run¨´. My yelling scared Hermana Benavides also. I felt so shaken up and angry afterwards, and ashamed that I had yelled like that. Then when the district leader called I was the one to answer, so I told him of the experience. He told me that I should have punched the guy in the face. I was grateful for that comment he made because I was feeling bad for my yelling. I do not trust any of the guys in Comalapa now. It makes it harder to contact and teach, or ride the bus. 

I read from Preach my Gospel and am trying to finish it. It is sad that I never read it before because there are some things in it that really can help me be a better missionary. Also, I read from Alma, from chapter 5 to 10. Alma was a great missionary. Well, that will be all for now because I want to write kiana. I love you. Have a good week. Oh, and changes are next week. Also there are divisions today with hermana Garcia. (woohoo, I love Hermana Garcia and her mom.  Hermana Garcia's mom tells me they are doing their divisions in Chimal) And tomorrow we go to antigua. bye 

And in an email to me:  We didn´t go out soap-box preaching, but I really wanted to some days. We did find three new families this past week but only one was really positive. We still have hopes that we will have a goal of a baptism by the end of this month, but the work is hard. However, speaking of baptisms, I do have one I can count all though I was not there for it. Giovanni was baptized! Hermana Earl is going to send me pictures.

Well, for the tamale, the hermana used two different types of leaves to wrap it, which were a banana leaf and one other type of really big leaf. For the inside stuff they use usually chicken, some sort of chile pepper to make the sauce, and in the one I ate there was a type of flower, a yellow one, that we used when we made papusas. I don´t know much more of it, but the tamales down here are softer than the ones up north which are solid.

Better late than never---her email finally came

Hello family,

So this fever I wrote you about continued the rest of Monday and then Tuesday, and then wednesday and thursday, and friday as well. One week! Each time I coughed during this time, my head hurted. It´s terrible to be ill. I still have a cold, but luckily no fever.

Two repeating thoughts stayed with me during this time. The first, I wish I was home, with sun (it was so dark and rainy) and mom and dad and family and a bath tub. I have never wanted to give up so bad, but at the same time I had no desire to give up. It was difficult to eat much of anything so Tuesday I bought a can of fruit cocktail and a cup of noodle soup I could make. The second thought was to go out among groups of people and preach soap-box style (standing on a crate or platform), calling people to repentance and telling them to soften their hearts and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. The people have hardened hearts and blinded minds like in the scriptures. They refuse to pray to know the truth and deny all of our words. Those who accept us have large problems in their lives, concerning not understanding why we do not pray to Mary, the law of chastity, refusing to believe there is only one true church. We have taught in nice manners but, again like the scriptures, they esteem all as naught. However, the active members are fantastic and are truly converted.

I am very grateful for the letter Kanna (her nick name for her sister) sent. I really needed it Monday night, especially with all that has happened lately. I received the letters before email but did not read them until afterwards. I am glad Kade is doing well. He´s grown much spiritually. I had to save Kiana´s lettter until night time because her letters always make me cry because they say what I need to hear. I forgot to tell you, but when Elder Crosby gave me the blessing last monday, he began in English and then changed to Spanish after the first sentence. I thought it was cool because Spanish basically has become my language. I only use English in times of frustration.

We had divisions for Wednesday, thursday, and friday. For these divisions, senior companions went to the capacitación. I went back to La Justo!!! I was still ill throughout that time so I didn´t get to do much teaching. Much of the time I was ill I felt as if part of me was not thre, like I was partly in a coma. I could respond to questions and could see or act but everything was disoriented and I didn´t have much of any reaction. One of these days at La Justo I stayed the day with the Bishop´s family while my two companions went to work in the Vasquez. It was a little awkward at first but I got some rest and for lunch ate a tamale. The tamales are delicious. It was also funny because the two boys entered the house after I was put in a bedrrom to rest so when Hermana Cux came to check on me the boys were scared because they didn´t realize I was there. 

On Friday we returned to Comalapa. We had very poor luck on the weekend, but it didn´t rain which was good because I was still ill. The nurses sent me with lots of medicine. I got to watch conference Sunday. I guess we could have watched it saturday too but we worked instead and found three families to teach. Hermana Benavides went with another Hermana in our zone to watch conference in spanish and I and Hermana Garcia went to the stake center to watch it in English with the Gringos. She says hi, by the way.

So the week was busy because we walked a lot and tried to teach people but every time we try finding someone we don´t have much luck. I feel like a failure as a missionary because our dats don´t show anything. Anyway, the packages finally arrived. Thank you mom and Sister Anhder. It´s always fun to receive things. 

Well, it has become much easier to contact after the illness because still it seems as if something is missing and I have less fear. When I talk, it is with power and I stop thinking for myself. I actually like that feeling. We learned a little more of Kaqchikel, but I will have to use it later. I want to write an email to kiana. I love you all. I will write to you next week. Adios!

And more from a personal email to me answering some of my questions:

Hi mom. We watched sunday sessions of conference and worked saturday. We will get the liahonas next month. I stayed a few days with the nurses in La Justo and feel better now. But some things that are terrible can be blessings. P days depend. Sometimes we stay in Comalapa, and other days like yesterday we go places. Yesterday we went to a campground to watch the elders play futbol. On normal days we wake up at 630 and have to be in by 9 at night. We have a water heater for the shower. Sometimes bits of dirt come through the showerhead, so I don´t know if I am ever really clean, but let´s hope so. I don´t know how we receive water, other than we pay the city for it. At night I am cold. It gets really cold here.

That´s funny buddy caught a bug for kiana. Hermano Juanito thinks I am skinny but I haven´t lost or gained any weight. If I did it is in my arms from the bus rides. Well, I have got to go. I will try getting more pictures to send when the time comes. The package came. I love you much. I haven´t baked anything new but I will let you know when I do. Adios. Love desty

And some additional information from a letter to her sister:
I actually didn´t have a baptism. We had some dates set for people, but they are unable to keep them. However, there will be a baptism on the 9 in La Justo! So I guess you can count it as a baptism for one of my investigators.

La Carta de esta semana (this weeks' letter)

Ka familia!

This week we began our tijoxik kaqckikel (kaqchikel class). It´ll be helpful because some people, as we discovered, can only truly comprehend kaqchikel. We also learned how to make pan eterno (eternal bread). They call it this because it can last up to six months and it´s good for emergencies. Also it is very filling. They are trying to get the people here to begin 72 hour kits.

Pan eterno

2 c. oats

2 and a half c. powdered milk (has to be dry)

1 c. sugar

3 tsp. honey

3 tsp. water

half package of gelatin (40 grms), lemon or orange

Prepare

Mix oats, powdered milk, sugar. In a separate pot mix the gelatin, honey, and water, boil it, and retire immediately. Pour the gelatin mixture into the dry ingredients and mix using wet hands. If the mixture is still dry, water can be added. The resulting mixture should be wet but thick. Cover a pan (a smaller one used for breads, or a dutch oven) with wax paper, spreading only a little oil on the waxpaper so that the mixture won´t stick to the waxpaper. Place in a preheated oven or dutch oven for 20 minutes. It will still appear raw when cooked so check with a knife or toothpick. Cut the bread into small pieces to store.

I bought a coconut Tuesday and finally opened it with a screwdriver on Thursday.

Thursday I started having a cold. By the end of Friday night I had a cold, a headache, which made me feel lightheaded, nausea, and the chills. Saturday I stayed in bed all day. By 4 pm I had a fever of 104 degrees fahrenheit (40 degrees celsius) and Hermana Benavides started freaking out, but I remembered how you, mom, lowered my fever last summer (thanks to Swine Flu) so I took medicine and put cold rags on myself. Sunday I still felt ill but made it to Church and my fever lowered to normal for that period of time. Saturday we had several visits. Las Hermanas ***** brought limes (they call them limons here) and showed Hermana Benavides how to make lime tea. Also, a boy from our English class brought us a lot of bread. During all this time I really missed dad because he could give me a blessing. Here in the mountains there aren´t many priesthood holders nearby. The 2 counselors of the Branch presidency don´t live too far away, but the branch president lives about an hour away, and our district leader is in Chimal. One takes for granted priesthood blessings until there is not anyone nearby to give one. I still felt ill this morning, so I asked Elder Crosby (thank you Elder Crosby!) to give me a blessing. It is my last resort to get better because I have tried nearly everything else.

I bought a cuadra (painting) from el Hermano ****. It´s painted on fabric so can be folded and shows the Maya history of learning. He sold it to me for 50 quetzales, which is much less that it´s worth.
 

Last week I believe I told you of the Familia ****. This week I will write of Hermana *******. He is a little old man (4´6´´) who refers to me as the Cancha or Canchita, a name which means a person is very fair or whiter. He is always worried about whether I am eating or if I am ill. He and his sister are fascinated with the canchitos, though I don´t know why. He is an active member but loves visits from the sister missionaries because we sing to him. The first time I saw him it was just a silhouette of him and he reminded me of a chinese kung fu master because he has a big sombrero.

So one day hopefully I can write my entire testimony in kaqchikel but right now it will suffice to write only part in kaqchikel. Como misionera, yo sé que yi oj tacoshela chin ri ru kajol ri ajaw. Jesucristo, kajol ri ajaw vive. Rochoch ajaw es la rochoch verdadera. Yo sé tambien que tenemos un profeta en la tierra. El wuj Mormon es la palabra ri ajaw. En el nombre de Jesucristo, digo estas cosas, amen.

Maltiox por todos, everyone. Thanks for the letters and words of encouragement. Les quiero much. Tab´ana Cuenta! Also, I challenge all to invite one person to watch general conference this weekend. 

Answers to questions I asked:  I heard a little about this hurricane that is supposed to be hitting here. Also, it is near winter time when there is more rain and cold. I guess I have something to look for.

Sometimes it is hard for me to be here, but I keep pushing forward because I know something better will come later. I have learned a lot from my mission also, things that I wouldn´t have learned elsewhere, and I have strengthened my muscles (ha ha). This morning our ride here was standing up. The bus was crowded beyond reason and to ride in the bus, standing up, down curvy roads when the bus drivers drive at insane speeds takes a lot of muscle strength. Wow, my muscles are sore, but when I am finished with the buses here, the buses back at home will be nothing to me.