I'll be home in 5 weeks! are y'all excited?
i've sent a lot of pictures home this week. so much has happened these two weeks, it's been crazy.
On Saturday, we were able to go to the temple with the branch. but we didn't go to the capital, we went to a place called Xela, Quetzaltenango. It was really pretty. We went through and did a session. The plan was to go and watch over the youth and do baptisms, but a rule of the temple is that missionaries can't baptize women in the temple. I don't really know why, but that's fine. afterall, we do baptize women outside of the temple. But, we still had a good time. We left Tiquisate at5 am and got home at like 8:15 pm. just to run around and really take advantage of the little work time.
We had a crazy stalker lady follow us around on Sunday. That was great. As we walked, she like ran behind us. Just saying how everybody wanted to kill her and that everybody was after her. It was interesting. She even asked if she could stay the night with us in our house... i love guatemala.
I'm so happy to hear that there is a job for when i get home and that it'll be flexible. It'll be fun to work after the misson. That was actually one of my bigger worries, a post mission job. I have no idea what it is, but it'll suffice until i find something better. but de repente i'll really enjoy it!
It's really nice to receive positive emails from home. It makes me happy and not worried upon returning.
There's not much to say today because i just wrote like 5 days ago. i hope the pictures are enough!
Love y'all!
-Elder Hunt
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Email from March 16
Where do i begin? so much has happened this week that i don't know what to start with.
I'll start with the hard times. The missionaries in this house haven't paid the light bill in 3 months...so, the light company came and cut the lights Friday morning! In our house, we've gone without light
for friday, saturday,sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, and today's thursday. it makes it really hard to do stuff at night and early morning. But the worst thing about it? The fans don't work nor does the fridge. It's so hot here and almost impossible without those two things, but we've survived this long. Lesson learned: pay bills on time. it avoids/prevents problems in the future. what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
On Sunday, we had a a baptism, i'll send a picture next week. i haven't been able to charge my camera battery...i don't have electricity.
On Monday, we were busy. It was our P-day, but it wasn't much rest at all. We went and had breakfast with a member family at 7 in the morning. This member, is an eye doctor. He's a really nice guy and is going to give me a free pair of glasses! free! awesome! Then we played soccer with other missionaries and some jovenes. I really enjoy playing soccer. Then we went to get milkshakes. then we had lunch with our branch president. then we went to the dentist office (another member that does general cleanings for free). We got home, cleaned a little bit, and then went to work again. It was a really good day, got a lot done, but really tiring at the same time.
Tuesday was change meeting and a lot more fun. My new companion is Elder Caceres, from Panamá. I would send a picture, but my camera is dead. he's got 9 months in the mission. I didn't change area, but my whole zone seemed to change, it's really exciting. After the meeting, we didn't want to travel all the way back to Tiquisate and then return to the capital on wednesday, so we stayed in Boca del Monte (my area of 14 months!) I was able to go visit a couple of converts and people that i knew. That was really nice. I would send pictures....but my camera is dead
On Wednesday, we had the conference with Elder Andersen. It was incredible. I couldn't even start to describe all that went on there. Our mission was asked to give a Special Musical Number, so we formed a little choir and i was part of it! yea! a choir singing in front of an apostle! A really cool experience. What he mainly talked about is experimenting the Atonement to be able to share about it. But there were a lot of little things that i learned and picked up on. Gotta love conferences!
Next week, i should send a few pictures.. if we ever get light back on in the house. It should come today, but who knows?
I've oficially entered my last change in the mission. that means only like 42 days left. that's crazy to think about, but it's the reality. it will be nice to rest for a change, i haven't done that in nearly 2 years. Don't worry, i'm focused and working hard. Really trying to make the best of the time left. A lot to do, but little time remaining. We'll see what happens here at the end.
i love y'all!!
-Elder Hunt
I'll start with the hard times. The missionaries in this house haven't paid the light bill in 3 months...so, the light company came and cut the lights Friday morning! In our house, we've gone without light
for friday, saturday,sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, and today's thursday. it makes it really hard to do stuff at night and early morning. But the worst thing about it? The fans don't work nor does the fridge. It's so hot here and almost impossible without those two things, but we've survived this long. Lesson learned: pay bills on time. it avoids/prevents problems in the future. what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
On Sunday, we had a a baptism, i'll send a picture next week. i haven't been able to charge my camera battery...i don't have electricity.
On Monday, we were busy. It was our P-day, but it wasn't much rest at all. We went and had breakfast with a member family at 7 in the morning. This member, is an eye doctor. He's a really nice guy and is going to give me a free pair of glasses! free! awesome! Then we played soccer with other missionaries and some jovenes. I really enjoy playing soccer. Then we went to get milkshakes. then we had lunch with our branch president. then we went to the dentist office (another member that does general cleanings for free). We got home, cleaned a little bit, and then went to work again. It was a really good day, got a lot done, but really tiring at the same time.
Tuesday was change meeting and a lot more fun. My new companion is Elder Caceres, from Panamá. I would send a picture, but my camera is dead. he's got 9 months in the mission. I didn't change area, but my whole zone seemed to change, it's really exciting. After the meeting, we didn't want to travel all the way back to Tiquisate and then return to the capital on wednesday, so we stayed in Boca del Monte (my area of 14 months!) I was able to go visit a couple of converts and people that i knew. That was really nice. I would send pictures....but my camera is dead
On Wednesday, we had the conference with Elder Andersen. It was incredible. I couldn't even start to describe all that went on there. Our mission was asked to give a Special Musical Number, so we formed a little choir and i was part of it! yea! a choir singing in front of an apostle! A really cool experience. What he mainly talked about is experimenting the Atonement to be able to share about it. But there were a lot of little things that i learned and picked up on. Gotta love conferences!
Next week, i should send a few pictures.. if we ever get light back on in the house. It should come today, but who knows?
I've oficially entered my last change in the mission. that means only like 42 days left. that's crazy to think about, but it's the reality. it will be nice to rest for a change, i haven't done that in nearly 2 years. Don't worry, i'm focused and working hard. Really trying to make the best of the time left. A lot to do, but little time remaining. We'll see what happens here at the end.
i love y'all!!
-Elder Hunt
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Email from March 8
Well, it's been a crazy week, that's for sure!
On Thursday, we had a leadership council with President and Sister Markham in their house in the capital. We got up at2:45, got on the 4 am bus, and headed to the capital. we had the meeting, lunch, my companions exit interview, my companions english test, then the travel home. we got home at 5:40 then went to branch council at 6 pm. it was such a crazy day. traveling really does wear you out! but the meeting was really good. we talked about conversion and really plugging in to the powersource, Christ.
Saturday was even crazier. In this week that passed, President Markham took out two missionaries from an area and left it empty. This area had left someone to be baptized for the Sunday. We jumped on the opportunity and went to baptize this guy we had never met. We got to the area Saturday morning at 9:55 am and baptized him at 12, we just had to wait for the font to fill. we show up, present ourselves, and say ''we've come to baptize you.'' To which he responded, ''alright, let me chop this wood, hide my tools, and let's go.'' awesome! At the baptismal service, there were only 4 people present. My companion and I, Pedro (the baptized), and a branch presidency counselor. It was fantastic!
After, we went to lunch with a member family, to the hospital to give a member a blessing, then we had our real baptismal candidate interviewed for baptism. After that, we started a journey to find a house in an area because they will put 4 missionaries there, not just 2. We got home from looking for the house at like 7:30 in the evening! That's like a whole day without working! so we work that last 1.5 hours and call it a night. A crazy saturday, non stop action and traveling.
Sunday, a niece of a recent convert was baptized. Her name is Cindy Rosicela Espinoza. She's awesome. The recent convert will go on a mission around January/February of next year because he has to graduate first. A great support system that she naturally has.
Yesterday, we played soccer. i'm so thankful that i played soccer growing up so i'm not out there like a fool not knowing what's going on. I'm able to actually play with these Latinos and better than some of them. A lot here play a lot, but they don't ever work on technique, so it's really interesting and fun. But man, i am tired today. my legs are worn out and sore! i can't even imagine how i'll be when i'm back home and trying to get into the same fisical shape as before the mission. I enjoy playing soccer, for sure hitting up intramurals again after the mission.
Something that i've realized lately is that i have power over people. It's something that is quite interesting. Either a person has it or he doesn't, kinda difficult to develop. President Markham has it and some other leaders of the mission to do. But there are a lot of people that aren't go-getters or pro-active enough to have power of people. It's not an unrighteous dominion, it's righteous. But without having power over people, nobody really respects you. I've seen myself grow and become, little by little, the leader i need to become. I'm hoping y'all see the difference when i'm home.
Love y'all! be safe and have fun!
Elder Hunt
On Thursday, we had a leadership council with President and Sister Markham in their house in the capital. We got up at2:45, got on the 4 am bus, and headed to the capital. we had the meeting, lunch, my companions exit interview, my companions english test, then the travel home. we got home at 5:40 then went to branch council at 6 pm. it was such a crazy day. traveling really does wear you out! but the meeting was really good. we talked about conversion and really plugging in to the powersource, Christ.
Saturday was even crazier. In this week that passed, President Markham took out two missionaries from an area and left it empty. This area had left someone to be baptized for the Sunday. We jumped on the opportunity and went to baptize this guy we had never met. We got to the area Saturday morning at 9:55 am and baptized him at 12, we just had to wait for the font to fill. we show up, present ourselves, and say ''we've come to baptize you.'' To which he responded, ''alright, let me chop this wood, hide my tools, and let's go.'' awesome! At the baptismal service, there were only 4 people present. My companion and I, Pedro (the baptized), and a branch presidency counselor. It was fantastic!
After, we went to lunch with a member family, to the hospital to give a member a blessing, then we had our real baptismal candidate interviewed for baptism. After that, we started a journey to find a house in an area because they will put 4 missionaries there, not just 2. We got home from looking for the house at like 7:30 in the evening! That's like a whole day without working! so we work that last 1.5 hours and call it a night. A crazy saturday, non stop action and traveling.
Sunday, a niece of a recent convert was baptized. Her name is Cindy Rosicela Espinoza. She's awesome. The recent convert will go on a mission around January/February of next year because he has to graduate first. A great support system that she naturally has.
Yesterday, we played soccer. i'm so thankful that i played soccer growing up so i'm not out there like a fool not knowing what's going on. I'm able to actually play with these Latinos and better than some of them. A lot here play a lot, but they don't ever work on technique, so it's really interesting and fun. But man, i am tired today. my legs are worn out and sore! i can't even imagine how i'll be when i'm back home and trying to get into the same fisical shape as before the mission. I enjoy playing soccer, for sure hitting up intramurals again after the mission.
Something that i've realized lately is that i have power over people. It's something that is quite interesting. Either a person has it or he doesn't, kinda difficult to develop. President Markham has it and some other leaders of the mission to do. But there are a lot of people that aren't go-getters or pro-active enough to have power of people. It's not an unrighteous dominion, it's righteous. But without having power over people, nobody really respects you. I've seen myself grow and become, little by little, the leader i need to become. I'm hoping y'all see the difference when i'm home.
Love y'all! be safe and have fun!
Elder Hunt
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Email from March 2
It's official, less than two months til i'm home. isn't that strange? Time is just flying by here. There's always so much to do. I feel like that'll be a shock when i get home. i just won't be as occupied as i am now.
Who do i want in the airport? Whoever wants to go. If there's a crowd, that's fine with me. If it's just y'all 3, that's fine with me. If people want to go, let 'em go. all i know is that someone has to be there to take me to get released and then home.
It's reassuring to know that all is well with the family back home. At times, i just feel that nothing changes or happens there, but life does continue, huh?!
March has started. but where did february go? this month will be fun. Well, mainly the 17th and 18th. On the 17th, we have change meeting, my companion will be leaving and heading on home. On the 18th, we have a conference with Elder Andersen of the 12 Apostles. Those days will come and go and then it'll be April already. what?!
The work here continues to progress. There were baptisms on Sunday! yea! The three have really interesting stories in their journey to baptism. From reactivation of members to a pure miracle. Everything just seems to be falling into place and going right. I really am excited to find out what's left in store for me in these last 8 months.
What will i do after the mission? What Alma did in Alma 8:1. Switch 'Alma' for ''Elder Hunt'', Gedeòn for Guatemala, and Zarahemla for Georgia. What does it say at the end? ¡Hay que aplicar las escrituras a si mismo!
There are miracles every day. When we feel the Spirit, follow the impression, and something positive happens as a result, it is a miracle. I've seen this frequently in this past week. I wouldn't say that I've received more promptings from the Spirit, but i would say that i've become a lot more aware of them and am more apt to follow them. Los ùnicos impedimentos que hay entre nosotros y revelaciòn personal es nuestra dignidad y disposiciòn de seguirla. As we strive to keep the commandments and repent daily (especially with the Sacrament), we'll be worthy. But at times, we're stubborn or are lacking the broken heart and contrite spirit that are needed.
Keep on Keepin on. Make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today!
Love y'all!
Elder Hunt
Who do i want in the airport? Whoever wants to go. If there's a crowd, that's fine with me. If it's just y'all 3, that's fine with me. If people want to go, let 'em go. all i know is that someone has to be there to take me to get released and then home.
It's reassuring to know that all is well with the family back home. At times, i just feel that nothing changes or happens there, but life does continue, huh?!
March has started. but where did february go? this month will be fun. Well, mainly the 17th and 18th. On the 17th, we have change meeting, my companion will be leaving and heading on home. On the 18th, we have a conference with Elder Andersen of the 12 Apostles. Those days will come and go and then it'll be April already. what?!
The work here continues to progress. There were baptisms on Sunday! yea! The three have really interesting stories in their journey to baptism. From reactivation of members to a pure miracle. Everything just seems to be falling into place and going right. I really am excited to find out what's left in store for me in these last 8 months.
What will i do after the mission? What Alma did in Alma 8:1. Switch 'Alma' for ''Elder Hunt'', Gedeòn for Guatemala, and Zarahemla for Georgia. What does it say at the end? ¡Hay que aplicar las escrituras a si mismo!
There are miracles every day. When we feel the Spirit, follow the impression, and something positive happens as a result, it is a miracle. I've seen this frequently in this past week. I wouldn't say that I've received more promptings from the Spirit, but i would say that i've become a lot more aware of them and am more apt to follow them. Los ùnicos impedimentos que hay entre nosotros y revelaciòn personal es nuestra dignidad y disposiciòn de seguirla. As we strive to keep the commandments and repent daily (especially with the Sacrament), we'll be worthy. But at times, we're stubborn or are lacking the broken heart and contrite spirit that are needed.
Keep on Keepin on. Make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today!
Love y'all!
Elder Hunt
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Email from Feb 22
This past weekend was probably the hardest fast i've done. But, it's done so i'm stronger!
This week wasn't super memorable. Not many memorable experiences. My companion and I are always having fun, joking, and laughing so that makes time go by really fast. But as far as stories, there hasn't been anything.
We had a baptism this past weekend! So like 3 weeks ago, we had 4 missionaries in our branch. But two were taken away and i was left to work with my companion in the whole town. So, what we've really just focused on is baptizing the candidates that the other missionaries left behind. We've baptized 3 of them these past two weeks. This Sunday, was a 9 year old they were teaching with his mom. His name is Antonio Diaz. he's super chubby and super goofy, but he understands so much. Way more than i did when i was baptized! He attends church with his mom, but his mom can't get baptized because she's not married...typical Guatemalan problem.
I bought a orange soda the other day. It had the expiration date written on the cap. We happen to have the same expiration date: 30 April 2015. What?! My companion pointed it out to me, i didn't think of it. He thinks more about home than i do because he only has like 3 week left until he's home again.
Weather update: it's getting hotter and the sun's getting stronger!
I went grocery shopping and only spent 27 Qetzales for the week. I just bought two packs of crackers. I don't eat anything for dinner and lunch is provided by members. For breakfast, i just eat some oatmeal. I don't have desires to eat anything else... A well-balanced diet, i know.
Love ya!
Elder Hunt (the only one from the family!)
This week wasn't super memorable. Not many memorable experiences. My companion and I are always having fun, joking, and laughing so that makes time go by really fast. But as far as stories, there hasn't been anything.
We had a baptism this past weekend! So like 3 weeks ago, we had 4 missionaries in our branch. But two were taken away and i was left to work with my companion in the whole town. So, what we've really just focused on is baptizing the candidates that the other missionaries left behind. We've baptized 3 of them these past two weeks. This Sunday, was a 9 year old they were teaching with his mom. His name is Antonio Diaz. he's super chubby and super goofy, but he understands so much. Way more than i did when i was baptized! He attends church with his mom, but his mom can't get baptized because she's not married...typical Guatemalan problem.
I bought a orange soda the other day. It had the expiration date written on the cap. We happen to have the same expiration date: 30 April 2015. What?! My companion pointed it out to me, i didn't think of it. He thinks more about home than i do because he only has like 3 week left until he's home again.
Weather update: it's getting hotter and the sun's getting stronger!
I went grocery shopping and only spent 27 Qetzales for the week. I just bought two packs of crackers. I don't eat anything for dinner and lunch is provided by members. For breakfast, i just eat some oatmeal. I don't have desires to eat anything else... A well-balanced diet, i know.
Love ya!
Elder Hunt (the only one from the family!)
Email from Feb 16
It's been really intersting here with my new companion. He's really helped me realize how much i've changed. He does a lot of things that i used to do before i 'spiritually matured' here in the mission. but, we're working hard. i feel as though he's working like he never has before the mission. When i walk, he gets tired really fast and just runs behind me. i'm introducing to him a new level of diligence and hardwork..there's no time to waste.
We had baptisms on Saturday! Can i just say that I hate Saturday baptisms? We say 10:30 and start at like 11:15. so we were like hanging out for an hour just waiting for the baptismal candidates to come and get ready. But, it all went well! Odilia Ralon and Melvin Flores. They are really awesome. I feel like we've just made friends with Melvin and he started to come to church and decided to get baptized. It's a testimony of the importance of inviting investigators to activities..like a soccer game. We jus need to get him involved with YSA so he has friends when we leave.
Other than that it's crazy to think that Ben gets home this week....that means i come home soon. there's still so much to do and so much to learn before returning. But, i'll come home happy. In 10 weeks, i'll feel as though i've given it my all. Right now, i can't say that. It's not over yet.
I really don't know what to say. This week has been really calm. Just normal working days and normal people.
Oh yea, something that is really fun is to convince people that i'm from Spain. They totally believe it too! I love it. I love Guatemalans, super gullible. Everybody here in Tiquisate is going to talk about the missionary from Spain....even though he was really from Georgia.
well, i love y'all!!
--Elder Hunt
We had baptisms on Saturday! Can i just say that I hate Saturday baptisms? We say 10:30 and start at like 11:15. so we were like hanging out for an hour just waiting for the baptismal candidates to come and get ready. But, it all went well! Odilia Ralon and Melvin Flores. They are really awesome. I feel like we've just made friends with Melvin and he started to come to church and decided to get baptized. It's a testimony of the importance of inviting investigators to activities..like a soccer game. We jus need to get him involved with YSA so he has friends when we leave.
Other than that it's crazy to think that Ben gets home this week....that means i come home soon. there's still so much to do and so much to learn before returning. But, i'll come home happy. In 10 weeks, i'll feel as though i've given it my all. Right now, i can't say that. It's not over yet.
I really don't know what to say. This week has been really calm. Just normal working days and normal people.
Oh yea, something that is really fun is to convince people that i'm from Spain. They totally believe it too! I love it. I love Guatemalans, super gullible. Everybody here in Tiquisate is going to talk about the missionary from Spain....even though he was really from Georgia.
well, i love y'all!!
--Elder Hunt
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