Email from Nov 17

Things have been so great here! Really, it couldn't get too much better.

On Saturday, I completed 18 months in the mission! It's crazy. I can't even believe how fast the time has just flown by. It's amazing to stop and think about how i've changed as a person as I've been here in Guatemala. The most important thing that i've learned: to love. That's the key to success in anything. If the motive isn't love, the success wanted won't be the success received. My testimony has strengthed so much and my knowledge of the gospel has deepened. I have a focus that i never really thought I'd have. It's all about making goals and reaching them. Not all of them though. We always need to have some goals that are unreachable so that we can try as hard as we can and still have space to improve. If all goals are reached, we didn't expect us to reach our full potential. But, as with the rest of the traditions. I burned my pair of pants to mark 18 months! Here's the picture:

Sunday was a great day. A day of baptisms, to say the least. It was a super long day. We got to the church building at like 9:20 am and we left at like 7:20 pm. We didn't leave the church property for all that time. Church from 10-1, baptismal service, church from 2-5, baptismal service. It was a tiring day. Anyway, the people that we baptized are really special. 

At 1 in the afternoon, we baptized a young woman and young man. For a lot of past history issues and law of chastity problems, the parents couldn't get baptized even though they really like the church and what we teach and represent. But, the kids love reading the Book of Mormon and were really, really excited to be baptized. We had the help of a ward family that had them at Family Home Evenings and everything. Their names are Katherine and Brayan Poou Ramirez. Pictures sent in other email.

At 5:30, we baptized a really special. I imagine I've mentioned a Familia Camey. The dad, Oswaldo, the mom, Angelica, and the kids, Fernando, Bylly, and Flor de Maria. They have found a special place in my heart. Their road to baptism has been a long and difficult one. They met the missionaries 8 years ago. I visited them like 15 months ago and again like 2.5 months ago. Angelica asked for three signs from God before she would get baptized. Ever since I went back like 2.5 months ago, Oswaldo was ready to get baptized, just waiting on his wife to make the choice for herself. Also, the son Fernando was down to get dunked. Now that they've been baptized, Angelica shared with us the 3 signs she received from God through me especifically. It's truly humbling and awe-striking. God answers prayers in misterious ways, but He answers, that's the most important thing. They were so beautiful and excited as they were dressed in white waiting to enter the waters of baptism and come out new creatures, being born again. They have the goal of getting sealed in the temple, and just saw baptism as a necessary step to get to bigger and better goals for the family. This will probably be one of my most memorable baptisms of the mission.

My mission hasn't been easy, that's what i realize as i look back over these 18 months. The Lord has asked a lot of me, and He's helped me to reach it. If my mission was easy, i wouldn't have progressed as far as i have until right now. There's still a long way to go and much more time to be refined by my loving Heavenly Father. I'm not the best missionary or the perfect missionary, but I strive to be obedient in all things that I do. I try to show diligence in all tasks that i'm given. 

This week, it's been pretty calm. Things have happened, yes, but it's normal now. But in about 3 weeks, i'll be in a new area doing new things, so that'll be fun. After all, i've been in Boca del Monte for 14 months of my mission just about (10 transfer cycles). I love change. My mission is not going to get any easier from here on out, and i'm excited about that. I don't want it to be easier, because easy doesn't cause progression how i want it. 

I love y'all!!

--Elder Hunt

Pictures from Antigua

Email from Nov 10

Everything is going quite nicely here in Guatemala. I love it here. The people are the best. It's been crazy to see my view of the Guatemalan people as I've been here. President Markham talks about the theme 'Faith in Every Footstep' and says that now, it's not sufficient. We're not here to have faith in every footstep. Now, we must have 'Charity in Every Footstep.' That's what I've learned on the mission. I don't work as hard as I do to impress others or just to pass the time. I work as hard as I do because I love these people. When I see people progress, it makes me truly happy because they will receive the blessings that my family has received. When they decide not to do what we invite them to do, it's heartbreaking because they're missing out. Charity, that's the difference. That's the motor of missionary work.

This past Tuesday, we went to Antigua, Guatemala again. I love Antigua. It's super pretty. It's also fun to see a lot of 'white' people. Usually, they're not even from the States. I say hi to some and they respond in French or German or who knows what. Once, I talked to someone from Tennessee and the accent took me home, it was great. This time, we didn't just go to the market, we went up to a hill that has a view of all of Antigua with the volcano. It is absolutely beautiful. I love natural beauty. It's a testament that it was all made by God.

But, since we were in Antigua, I had to take advantage and buy a couple things. As of right now, i don't think i need anything else from Guatemala. I have all that i need and want. Sure, there's still a lot I could buy, but i'm good with what I have. I have a few things that I really do like and am super excited about. Plus, it's just super hard to decide on what to buy from here. Because the market is crazy packed of goodness.

This Sunday, there will be baptisms. We will be baptizing a super special family. So, as maybe you should know, i'm working in the area that I started in. The same exact place. Anyway, back when I was here my first time (a little more than a year ago) I taught a family once. To be honest, they were not that positive. Super nice, yes. But positive to receive the gospel at that time, no. (discernment by the Spirit). So we didn't try hard to make them progress. But among entering into this colony one time, I was remembered of them. They were a referral from a member family that they have been trying with for several years. They are the Camey Family. They will be baptized this Sunday. But the little daughter is so cute. Last night, she said a prayer. She used to say 'God, Please buy me the two things. Amen.' But, as we've visited she's gotten better. (She's like 4). Last night, she wanted to say a long prayer. She started off fine by praying for her family and for us missionaries. Then, she started getting crazy. She was like 'Watch over the backpack of Elder Hunt. Watch over the backpack of Elder Hansen. Watch over my mom's lipstick.'  I couldn't handle it. I just busted out laughing. The mom did too and the dad chuckled a little bit. It was the cutest little prayer ever. This family is precious. I'll talk more about them next week after they get baptized so i can send pictures.

I complete 18 months in 2 days (on the 15th). I can't believe it. But, i'm not focusing on that. It just means that i have 5.5 months to do what i need to do. It's fun stuff. I will never regret having gone on a mission. But I will continually thank my Heavenly Father for this great blessing. It's the Lord's work, that's why it has yet to be frustrated.

Go do some good in the world today!

Love y'all!

--Elder Hunt