Email from Sept 15

 This week has been so crazy!!

We had a miracle baptism on Sunday!!! We literally had no plans to have a baptism this change. Zero. But we had this Hermana Jaquelin attend church for the 7th time, but this time with her mom. During the 3rd hour, we decided to invite them to the baptism. She said that they would go. She also said she wanted to be baptized in the next service. We said ok, then we all returned to our respective classes. After talking to other missionaries for a second, we decided to go talk to Jaquelin again. We asked her why wait, we could baptize her today. After a little discussion, she agreed! Then craziness ensued. She went back to her class, and we went to work. The ward literally went crazy for us. We had one Hermana Osorio have to drive to her house and get baptismal clothes. I had to be driven home to get my baptismal clothes. All of this, while Hermana Jaquelin was still being interviewed, we didn't even know if it was certain!! But this interview was crazy. They need to be interviewed by the District Leader. But the DL was out working without his phone, like it's supposed to be. So we couldn't contact him. But luckily, we have the Mission Secretaries in our ward. So we called the Zone Leader, who called Presidente Brough, who gave Elder Diaz (a secretary) permission to conduct the interview. So, everything went crazily awesome and I was able to baptize her. After all this ended, we took Jaquelin and her mom home. At the door, Jaquelin said, 'Looks like my mom will be next.' How awesome is that?!

We have Transfers tomorrow! Elder Aragon is leaving and I'm staying here in Caminero! Which I'm excited about, I feel like we're going to have some success this change coming up. He's excited to leave because he's been here for 6 months! After this change, I will have been here for 4.5. That's crazy. I don't have interviews with the President, so that means I won't be Senior Companion. yea!!

We had divisions this past week, twice. One witht he Zone Leaders (Tuesday until Wednesday) and the other with the District Leader (Thursday until Friday). This made for our week to be super hectic and unorganized. They didn't  call us for these divisions until the night before. But we survived!

We had a really positive contact with one Hermana at her door. I contacted her and said my bit. She was like, 'yea, uh huh, yea.' She was talking how her church has the truth and all that jazz. Then Elder Aragon stepped up, 'so, you're church has apostasy, huh?' And she said, 'Yes, gracias a Dios. My pastor is full of it!' YEA! She had no idea what she was talking about. We literally like laughed right there at the door. Bless her heart.

We taught an awesome guy the other day. At the end, he took the folleto, flipped open to the page where Joseph Smith is receiving the priesthood, and told us what it really meant. These three people represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. But really, their one in the same. And this (Joseph Smith) represents us kneeling before them in humility and asking for forgiveness of our weaknesses. Wow, almost Hermano! So close, really. He was so happy that he thought he knew what was up. He's Pilas.

I was super safe this past weekend. We didn't have any problems or anything. I'm starting to make friends with all the bus people and the people at our favorite little tiendas and bread shops. It's awesome. I'm becoming Chapin!

Well, I love yall lots! I hope yall are reading the Book of Mormon! This is the keystone of our religion so we NEED to know it's true. My testimony grows and grows everyday. I'm so thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and think of it in a new way all the time. It truly is beautiful. Use this great gift, and Repent of Sins! and Ask for Strength. (As a missionary, I have to declare repentance to all people)

I love yall so much!! Pray for you always!

Email from Sept 8

 My cook was really busy with other things, so she couldn't make us food. But we survived on spaghetti and oatmeal, no problem! But she felt bad about it, so she hasn't missed a day since then. If we can go for lunch, she makes us the food for dinner.

What's up with my cousing Jacob Wells? What's up with my aunt Sara? What's up with your side of the family, mom? I need to return address of the Howse's. I got 3 letters from them, but I have no way to reply to them! I don't have an email address or their home address!

The temple...Where do I begin? Oh, I know. We woke up at 3 am!! We had to get up and study for an hour before we could leave to meet up with people to go to the temple. 3 am! That's pretty early. But we got there no problem. I was with a group of like 8 missionaries. At the distribution center, I went to buy a himnario and a Bible. When I got to the cash register, the lady said that the Stake President is paying for us. Sweet! But the temple temple, was awesome! It was all Spanish (of course), I was able to understand what was happening! Thanks to the few times I went before the mission and in the CCM and that I read the creation story the week before the temple. But I always love the temple. I had the best experience of my life in the temple this past week. It can only be compared to one time in the CCM . I've never had a simple phrase have so much power. 'Be Still And Know That I Am God' from DyC 101:16. It was awesome.

One day for lunch, we had the BEST food. Dad would have been so happy. They were a mix of enchilladas and chimichangas. DELICIOUS. The best tortillas I have ever eaten. The best meal I've had so far here in Guatemala. I could eat it every day!

So, a few days ago, we had the funniest day. It started in the morning while tracting. We taught this one lady that was just dead. Saying 'uh-huh, uh-huh' during the whole thing. After I finished the first vision, Elder Aragon asked a simple question. 'What's the name of the young man that prayed and asked God?' She looked at us, smiled, and with surety said, 'Luis Alfredo!' ¿En Serio, Hermana? We were fighting back laughing. Right then, Elder Aragon said, 'we're going to say a pray to end this.' He offered the prayer and literally laughed during the prayer. We said Amen, shook her hand, then ran away out of her sight. Once we saw we were safe, we both doubled over laughing so hard!! Oh, it was good stuff. 'Luis Alfredo!' Wow, Hermana, ¡Casi! Lovin' Guatemala!!

So the buses here are crazy. For two bus rides, I was 0% in the bus. ZERO! I was on the outside of the bus standing on a little piece of medal that was like 3 inches by 2 inches, only 6 square inches at most! Standing on that and holding on for dear life. He didn't take turns slow or speed bumbs. Funnest ride of my life. The bus was too full for me to enter, because I was letting the women on for safety. It was awesome.

We have an investigator named Jaqueline. She's 18. Her dad has been fighting a lesson for months. Months. This past week, we taught him! Miracle! It was a really good lesson too!

Next week, on the 16th, we find out about Transfers. Already time for transfers again!! That's crazy.

Oh yea, the 15th of September is Independence Day for Guatemala. Please, pray for my safety this weekend. Everybody will be drunk and the drunks love to molest us white folks. I love the mission!

Life's good. I'm safe. I'm happy.

I pray for yall often! I love yall a ton!

¡Se Cuida!
--Elder Hunt

Email from Sept 2

The Two P's are my vices- patience and pride. But right now, I feel more humble than I EVER have before in my life. My whole life I've been prideful, my whole life. Right now, I depend on the Lord for everything...everything! It's truly beautiful and amazing to see the change that has already come to me in these short months that I've been out here. And patience, I've definitely learned that these past couple months. The Lord is helping me and supporting me in all ways. I love it!

Wow, not too much happened this week. Except, we didn't have P-Day yesterday. So I've gone more than a week without p-day. I'm out of food, out of money (zero), and out of energy! But tomorrow is p-day and we're going to the temple!!!!! I'm going to go through the temple in Spanish!!! YEA! It'll be such an awesome experience!

I'm out of food, because we went a whole 4 days without our cook. It is HARD without a cook. So I made a lot of spaghetti and ate a lot of oatmeal (i love oatmeal).

This past week, we went on splits with young men in our ward. Wow. So these two guys speak super fast, slang Spanish. I went with one named Alfredo. He's waiting for his missionary call. So for the whole day, I had to speak straight up Spanish. He knows nothing of English. But we were able to converse and have a good time (at least, I had a good time!)! But I had to answer all questions of investigators and explain any and all doubts and topics. It was a great experience and really showed me how much I've grown these past couple months!

So, we have this investigator named Alejandro. I contacted him on the bus one day. Before we had even taught him, he was helping us. He gave us a ride down to the church one day when he drove by while we were waiting for the bus. He wasn't home for the appointment that we had, but we when we returned to the house, we had a text message on our phone from him apologizing, and the message was completely English. He speaks perfect English, which is awesome!

While out working, I saw this guy. I definitely had to double take. He was wearing a cub scout shirt. This guy was about 25. The shirt was navy blue, had the gold lettering, and an American Flag on the sleeve! I couldn't believe it. It made me laugh.

Speaking of laughing, the funniest moment of the mission happened just yesterday. When we knock doors, a lot of times, kids answer. So we ask, 'esta alguien grande con cual podriamos hablar?' then they go off, return, and say no (definitely lying because when we ask the question, they say yes). Anyway, Elder Aragon knocked on a door. A lady of about 85+ answered the door. Elder Aragon presented us as missionaries and all this good stuff. Then he said, 'esta alguien grande con cual podriamos hablar?' I casually stepped out of view of the sweet, old women and busted out laughing. I was literally doubled over and crying laughing. This lady is 85! Of course nobody there is older than her! But, luckily, the lady didn't hear Elder Aragon. So he corrected himself, and asked what he meant to ask, if her family was there. SO FREAKIN FUNNY!

Well, now I don't have much to share except some spiritual stuff.

I received an Ensign in English from a member, May 2009. It's awesome! My two favorite are 'None were with him' by Elder Holland and 'Counsel to Young Men' by Elder Packer. Read them. (Elder Packer has a quote, 'Never complain about schooling. Always attend.' I need to remember this post-mission.)

Also, I have phrases I need to put on a plaque in my future house, from Alma 41:14. It will say 'Deal Justly, Judge Righteously, and Do Good Continually.' How perfect is that? Alma 36-42 are the perfect chapters of fatherly advice to a son. They really are touching. I love them.

Last night, we had a FHE for investigators at the church. President Camey in the Stake Presidency gave the lesson, about why the church is called what it's called. While he was talking, I came up with my own process. In reality, we can break the title into three parts. 1)The Church of Jesus Christ-He founded it, so it has His name!; refer to 3 Nefi 27:8 2)of Latter-day-as it says in Acts 3:21-22, the church had to be restored before the coming of Christ, or in the last days, that's today! 3)Saints-as members of the church, we are Saints; the purpose of the church is for the perfecting of the Saints! refer to Efesios 4:11-14. This is a great little explaination for those people that ask why the church is called what it is. Also, Dad could maybe host a little FHE at the church with the missionaries, investigators, and recent converts and explain this topic to them. President Camey did a really, really great job though.

So yea, that's my life!

I love you guys so much! I pray for you every day. I'm happier now than I ever have been before, because I'm more humble now than I ever-ever-thought I would be.

Life's good. I'm having fun. Learning a lot.

Se cuida! Divertirse!
--Elder Hunt