Because: I desired, I believed, I asked, and I received, and now- I know

You can see the Volcano in Xela from San Francisco.

For P-days, we usually head for San Francisco, which is a small city about an hour and a half away in a bus from the town below our mountain.

 



 I love the sunrise here!

Every morning I go out to the basketball Court and do my Excercises while watching the sun peek over the mountains.

               


El Volcán!

            

Learning the 3rd Language... Les Goooo!!!

 

 

 

Hey, Family!                                                                                            January 20, 2014

So this week was very different, we were especially privileged to have the opportunity to listen to an apostle, Elder Quinton L. Cook, 2 times this weekend, Que Calidad Fue!!!

Elder Cook came down to have a special conference with all the missionaries of the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Mision. We are about 210 missionaries. I love when you get a big group of missionaries together from all parts of the world- there´s an awesome Spirit present.

We all gathered in a chapel in Xela and awaited the arrival of Elder Cook, Sister Cook, Elder Duncan (from the seventy) and his wife also. This was such an amazing conference, and I have so much I would love to share with you, but I´ll just touch on the highlights.

1- being in the presence of a general authority, and a member of the 12 is an awesome experience. A nice warmth instantly flows into the room.

2- Sister Duncan, shared an amazing talk about the effect that missionaries really have on people. Its true what she said, these people you meet, ¨will never forget you¨. The relationships you make will last forever in the hearts and cleansed souls that you have met in your mission. Ever day, I know We Make and Impression- and impression that can change the hearts of man, an impression that can not only save a life, but lives of hundreds. Everything you do has an effect- an Effect on you, your family, our friends, and all the strangers around you, that you didnt even know were paying attention. You can help them. Entonces, haga un buen impresión. Cambie una vida.

3- Sister Cook loves to sing, loves hyms, and loves to direct choirs- especially of missionaries. After a great talk about the hyms of the church, she directed us in "Heark All Ye Nations" (Oid Naciones), Singing with missionaries, truley does bring a wonderful spirit, it was a great feeling. I cant tell you how important the hymns are. They are not only beautiful to listen to, but bring such a peace, and comfort in all moments. I don´t teach lessons without hyms, haha, they are just as important as the prayer : )

4- Elder Cook, gave such a spiritual and inspiring message. Listening to his powerful testimony is such a great experience. To hear his voice, to hear his words: so sincere, honest, real, You cannot deny the truth, and its because of what we feel- the Holy Ghost. He said so many great things, but something he said that I loved and would like to share with all of you is- A responsibility of being a missionary is being an extrovert! Being kind, warm, loving, and inviting- always with a smile on your face. This is not only important for missionaries, but everyone! True happiness and love, shines in the eyes of those who hold it. And I can testify to you, this happiness is contagious, this love that the gospel brings is "More desirable than all other fruits". If you smile every day, show and share your brightness with all those around you, you will not only help yourself feel amazing, but you will help all those around you. Like I said earlier, we all make an impression- remember that...

Elder Cook, and all of the apostles, have the great privilege of being true witnesses of Christ. It is amazing to sit present and listen to him testify of our Savior and Redeemer, almost overwhelming. But, what is so special and so true is that, you don’t need to sit and listen to an Apostle, or the Prophet testify of Christ, to know that he lives, and he listens to us, and that he surrounds with his outstretched loving arms every day when we let him- you can know this for yourself, you can feel him around you, and the feeling is wonderful. I invite everyone, and literally anyone who reads this to pray. Please pray to know your Savior Lives; Please pray to know he loves you; Please pray to know that his Church has been restored upon the earth, and he calls out to you, saying, "follow me".

If you pray sincerely, with true intent to receive and answer, I promise you, you will know.

The new area is great, we continue to travel from mountain top to mountain top, bringing the gospel to every village out here. I love everyone sooo much, and pray for you always!!!!!

Siga Adelante!

So this Laguna es muy bonita, but it has a scary story behind it. Apparently a long long time ago. The native people came to wash their clothes in the Laguna. And on one occasion, a woman came to the Laguna and was washing clothes. While she was washing, she noticed something shiny at the bottom of the Lagoon. so she waded out into the Lagoon and dove down the try to retrieve it. She went under, and never came back up. Apparently her body was never found. The Woman´s name was Magdalena. And for this, the lagoon was named "La Laguna Magdalena".

 

 

 

            Standing on the top of the waterfall again, looking down about 150 ft. or more.....

                                                      (Me and Elder Vega)



Elder Rivera and Me



It is also said, that anyone who swims in the Lagoon will become infertile and cursed,

ha-ha, that´s what the people say... wouldn´t swim in it anyways, it’s too beautiful!!!

This place is just awesome, awesome, awesome!

If you smile every day, show and share your brightness with all those around you, you will not only help yourself feel amazing, but you will help all those around you. Like I said earlier, we all make an impression- remember that...