Email from July 20

It's almost hard to think about what has happened lately. Things have been pretty crazy...and slow and boring at the same time. I've had a lot of extra time to read church talks and study the doctrine, so that's really fun. Really, I've been able to learn quite a bit so it's nice.

On Sunday, we had a baptism!

​Her name is Heidy and she's the miracle that started on the 22nd of June when she just 'wandered' into the church. Her family (parents and siblings) are all against her decision to be a member of the church. Apparently, they're Catholics. Just for going to church on Sunday, they threatened to throw her on the street with nothing but her clothes (she's 22). So she attended church in secret and was baptized in secret also. But while we were outside taking this picture, a family friend saw her but didn't say anything at the moment. This family friend went and told her parents. When she got home that night, her parents started hitting her for the decision she knows is right-the decision to follow Christ. Because of her choice to enter in to the waters of baptism, she has been shunned and beaten by her family. It breaks my heart, but God has a special purpose for her. She is a great example of having a testimony and never denying it. Heidy's so new in the church, but her testimony is already so strong. Her boyfriend and his whole family came down to see her baptism, so it was amazing. With Satan trying his hardest to get her to deviate, she stayed strong and will continue to stay strong. It's fantastic.

At times, we get bored in the office. When we get bored...this happens:

​It's self explainatory, right? I figure it is. We now have new wall decorations :)

It's hard to be away from home for births of nieces and nefews, but there's no other place I'd rather be. I know that when I get home, there will be two new members to the family that I haven't met yet, so that's way exciting. As part of my job, I go to the airport to get missionaries that come home and see missionaries come home to their super excited family. Each and every time, it makes me baggy. hahah. Being in the office is just so baggy, life is so different. Missionaries that speak Spanish go to different countries and come back with foreign accents and I start talking to them using Chapin frases or words and they love it. Today, I talked to a girl and she was so shocked and happy to hear the word/sound ''va''. She just lit up with a smile. It was fantastic.

I love being here in the office. I have the privilege to get to know just about every missionary. When I go to meetings of conferences, everybody knows who I am and I know who everybody is. It's really let me have more fun because I have to be social whether I want to be or not.

By the end of this week, I'll only have like 9 more months left in the mission. I can't even imagine life after. Waking up and not having a set schedule for every 30 minutes of the day? Will I be able to take naps? Will I be able to watch that thing that has pictures that light up and can be controlled by a remote, also known as a tv? Wait, there are artists besides MoTab? I have really adapted the mission as my life. I've stopped complaining about rules and have started complaining about disobedience. Everything here has it's order. Why? Dios es un Dios de orden! When people are lost with nothing to do, they are not fulfilling their calling. They are not anxiously engaged in a good cause. It is a constant process to be better and to progress. We are eternal beings, so we believe in eternal progression. Each day, we can always be better- that must be our quest.

The church is true. Christ Lives.

--Elder Hunt

Email from July 14

I am so tired of fast food. Being Executive Secretary, things are different. We eat pizza like 2 or three times a week, eat McDonalds or Wendy's all the time. I've started to bring in my lunch, but I feel so unhealthy. On top of all the bad food, there is hardly any exercise time. I get up extra early and go to bed later than normal. (For example, today I got up at 3:30, but I'll get to that.) I've already planned out for after the mission. I imagine that I'll be home for like 6 weeks before starting BYU again in June. I'll get home 30th of April and start summer semester for sure. Six weeks to get myself back in shape...more or less. We need to make sure we have Insanity at home because I will start it my first day back. If you wanted, you could start making a list of things to do my first day: get signed up for a gym.

Anyway, a missionary just got here to the field a week ago and had to return home (for medical problems). But, he was sent to one of the farthest places from the capital. He had to present himself in the airport at 7:40 in the morning. So my companion and I got up at 3:30 and left a little before 4:30 to go and get him and bring him all the way back in to the airport here in the capital. That was so early! I feel like I get more tired just sitting in a car than I do actually working and preaching the good word of God.

These past few weeks have been so hectic and upbeat, it's been hard to keep my head straight. Everything from President Brough leaving to President Markham coming to change meeting. Now, it's my moment to breathe. These past couple of days, I've put myself pilas here in the office so I am not stressed, I'm actually ahead of schedule. It feels nice. It lets me handle whatever kind of emergency that might come up--and in this mission, that often happens.

Right now, I appreciate church talks and what not. I'm right now reading Lectures on Faith that was written way back in 1835. It is some really good and has made me think of some really good stuff. I would appreciate maybe a mini collection of Teachings by Prophets books. If you wanted, you could have the one for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young out there waiting for me. Good Sunday afternoon reading material I'd say.

Wow, this week, I finished 14 months. I can't even believe it. The number of months remaining is getting so small so fast. Right now, it's like 9.5. That's under 10 months!? Honestly, I feel like I've forgotten how it will be to live in America again. Where things are clean and organized...and in English. I'll miss Spanish for sure. Since driving here in Guatemala, I've figured that I might cause a few wrecks back in the States. I won't get in the wreck, but here, if you don't drive aggressively, you don't drive. It's super fun, almost like a video game.

To help me with my emails here, y'all should ask questions. They'd help me know what to say and also help me remember what has been happening these past few days.


I love y'all. I pray for y'all. I make sure to use the word y'all as much as I can. My companion now says it. Go South!

---Elder Hunt

Email from June 28

I just love being a missionary. About 3 months ago, I would visit a family of 8 (during my time with Elder Ward). They were kind of progressing, but not rapidly enough. The dad drank and the kids weren't too interested even though a couple of them went to church a couple times. So, I decided to stop visiting them when Elder Clouse came here with me. The other day, the Spirit prompted me to go back and visit them. (listen to the promptings of the Spirit-He knows what's up). The next day we went and visited them. I knocked, they saw me (since I'm taller than their door) and they were so happy. They swung open the door and received us with a lot of excitement. They were telling us how much they had missed our visits. They shared the differences between the times when we would visit them and how it's been without us. The dad, when we would visit, would go 4 or 5 days without drinking. Now, he's been drinking almost every day or every other day. He wants to stop. Upon leaving something for them to read, the daughters said "This time, we actually will read it." Umm, miracle family of 8? I think so. It just testified to me that in the eyes of many, missionaries are angels sent from God. My testimony of that strengthens each day. I know we're not perfect- we're a bunch of 19-21 yr old guys!-but the people don't see us that way. If people open their hearts, they will be changed.

President Markham, the new mission president, is so different from President Brough. Honestly, with my personality and character, I meshed better with President Brough- more serious, straight forward, and at times bromista. President Markham is loud- not like me. It's interesting. I do miss President Brough a lot, he seemed to be more of a teacher and almost as a father figure. President Markham, to me, is more of an uncle type of figure. It's just different. There's some adjusting to do, but I'll be here for a while, so I need to get used to it, right? I'm always humbled by how President Brough would talk about me. He knew from the beginning what time of missionary I would be. He told it to my trainer before either one had met me. As Elder Clouse was coming into the office, President Brough told him about me in a way that almost intimidated Elder Clouse. Each day, it's hard, but I try to live to my potential. That's something I've really studied these past couple of weeks--our eternal potential and progression.

Wait, is this my journal or my weekly letter home? At times I get a little bit confused.

Anyway, President Markham, the assistants, and the secretaries were all in the office yesterday, Tuesday. We had a District Meeting-first one I've ever down with President there. I printed out the agenda and everything, it was fun. President Markham loved the meeting, so that was super fun. He ordered everybody pizza for lunch! Hooray! A crazy day in the office because there were so many people. But everybody was trying to clean the office because the Area President, President Duncan, is coming here on Thursday! yea! I love meeting General Authorities.

Things are all good here in Boca del Monte. Today, I took a Sister Missionary to the airport. She has finished her mission. It's sad to see missionaries that are going home, but it doesn't get me unfocused because I realize I still have  along way to go! The mission is so great. I can't believe I've been here in the office for 2.5 months already. It feels like it's gone by so fast. Just trying to soak in moments and write the good ones down!

Love y'all!

--Elder Hunt

Email from June 24

Well, can you say one of the most unforgettable birthdays ever? It started out like a normal Sunday. We got up, got ready, and went to church. Church starts at 8 (early, but it's fine). We had a few people in church, so that was super fun. For the third hour, we don't usually enter the class because they pack a bunch of men in a tiny classroom where there is not any AC, so it gets good and musty in there. While in the hallway, a lady (22 yrs old) walked in and asked the members for the missionaries. (Blessings come from being friends with members) The members walked past the other missionaries and looked for me. So, I went and talked to her. She is not a member. She lives in our ward boundaries, but works near the temple in the capital. She has been listening to the Sister missionaries at her work (in the limits of a different mission). Last week, she traveled all the way to the capital to attend church with the Sisters. This week, she decided to come and look for her own ward to attend on Sunday. So, she searched it out on the internet. The internet said there were services at 8 and at 10, she chose the option at 10. She showed up and quickly realized it was almost over. We were like, actually, there is another ward that meets together at 2 if you wanted. She was like yea, that would be fine! So we said we'd see her than and we split up. Then like 5 seconds later, she came back and was like ''Can we talk now?'' So, we went and talked to her. The most amazing thing is that she wants to be baptized on the 12th of July, she has picked the date, so we're fine with that! A year ago, she started to listen to the missionaries because her boyfriend was a member. But, she did everything for him, not for her, so she didn't feel anything or want to keep learning. She went to church a couple times but never got baptized. She was like, ''This time, I'm doing it for me. I feel something different.'' Then she told us of her amazing experience the day before, Saturday. As I said, she works close to the temple. Anyway, she took her Book of Mormon and went into the waiting room of the temple! She just sat there and read!! She was like, ''I know how I felt just in the waiting room, I can only imagine the feelings inside the temple.'' Um, can you say every missionary's dream? So, her name is Heidi. This little story doesn't do any justice, but when she was telling us the story, she wanted to cry, I wanted to cry, Elder Clouse wanted to cry. It was so powerful and we all felt the Spirit so strong.

After church, the party got started! I had been telling everybody for like 2 weeks in advance that it was going to be my birthday on the 22nd. They didn't forget. We went to lunch at the Stake President's house and we had cake after. Then I had to take someone to the President's House. Sister Brough made me cookies. (I absolutely love her. I will visit The Brough Family after the mission.) Then we got back and Elder Clouse and I split up. He went to go preach the gospel, and I went to celebrate my birthday :P I went with a member to visit recent converts. They had a cake and party waiting for me! So we taught them and ate some cake. Then I went to the baptism of the other missionaries of the ward. But, I was able to sneak the food from a Youth Activity/Fireside that was happening. Then, I went to a family's house where we had a 'Noche de Hogar'. Really, we got there at 8:52. They had prepared a full out dinner including cakes. We ate so fast just to be back home on time. I got home at 9:29. YES! By the end of the day, I was stuffed with cake and cookies and love of the ward. A great birthday. With miracles and food.

Monday was also a really great day. We came into the office and President was here too. He had interviews with each one of us from the office. It was really cool what we talked about. He said that I need to set goals all my life-what I've learned to do on the mission. But, they shouldn't all be reachable. Because some goals should only come by perfect faith which we never have. But we must set goals in all parts of life. Then, he talked to me about what most attacks strong return missionaries- The Law of Chastity. Get married quick is basically what he said. I asked him what he saw my potential being when he first got to know me. He said my potential was to be a leader. And here I am, a leader. He knew I would be doing what I'm doing right now. Executive Secretary during Mission President changes. That motivated me. He also told me to stop doubting. He says I need more faith and less doubts. Which is super true, but I'm working on it!

On Friday, I'll be with President Markham most of the day. I'll let y'all know how he is next week.

This is going to be a great week and July is going to be fantastic. Get ready for some good stuff to come.

Keep praying for me. Keep praying for the USA World Cup team...or is that just me. USA USA USA!!!

A video of Elder Santiago!

The previous mission president sent Elder Santiago's parents an email that included a video/photo collage of Santiago. The link to the video is at the bottom. Because this blog is also a "scrapbook" for Santiago, I included the letter.

Dear Parents,

We have enjoyed having your son in the mission office with us.  He has the ability to work hard, serve the Lord with all his heart, and still have fun.  During our goodbye conferences Elder Hunt was in charge of taking photos.  As we were reviewing the pictures we couldn't help but notice that most were of him.  So my daughter and I thought we would put together a video for you to share with him when he gets home.

We are very grateful to have known your son.  We love him.  He truly has become a man of God.  Thank you for raising such a great young man.

Love,

Hermana Brough and Ganzie​

VIDEO