This week has been actually a little fruitless but I hear that's just kind of how Momos is. Tuesday we had a district meeting... I think I may have forgotten to mention that I'm district leader. Anyway, I did my best to try and teach a little something to help the whole district of two companionships, including my own. ;)
Afterwards, we waited for a truck to take us to our area again, which is about 45 minutes away from Momos. They dropped us off not where they were supposed to, and we had to walk the whole rest of the way home. By then, it was dark and here we have to be inside at sundown for our own safety.
Wednesday we had a conference. I got a 3 in one letter from Nikki and 3 letters from Sister Thompson at the end. I love my two frequent writers! After the conference, we took the long bus ride to Momos and then the long truck ride to my area. Unfortunately, we got dropped off NOT where we're supposed to be again, and this time my comp slipped in the mud and got all muddy. Unfortunately, this wasn't a laughing experience like with my experience. I was afraid for my life and just kept my distance until my comp could calm down. We laugh about it now though. That day we didn't get to work either.
Thursday was planning day and then we worked that afternoon, hiking most of the time.
Friday was hiking a lot to houses that didn't have time for us.
Saturday as well... But we have got a few experiences where we both have felt that some people are ready and need the gospel. We are trying to come up with ways to gain their trust so that they'll let us teach them.
The only person we have had a chance to really teach is a man named Bauthezar and his wife. We just started though, so we'll see how he progresses within the next few weeks.
Sunday was a "ccm" which is training for the presidents of the branches in the zone. We don't do anything there, but we have to be there. That took all afternoon and then we came here to Momos to sleep the night for P-day today!
I know, I make it sound super exciting right? But I really do love this area. We are going to do some real work this week. I feel that now is the time for my efforts to be stronger so that they can actually produce fruit. This area will be better in some way by the time I leave. If that only means that the members have a stronger relationship with each other, that's fine with me.
Thanks for all your love, concern, and support. I go to Xela next week to buy all the food for the month that I can't get here, so I need to make a meal plan so I know what to buy. I want a little variety. I don't know what I want but if you could just sort of think of my favorites that aren't too hard to make, but are different from each other a little, that will help me make a decision. I want to make pineapple burgers but I don't think there is such a thing as brown sugar here so... maybe in a package? :D I know this list is getting long. I've already forgotten all the things I've asked for. Oh well, thanks for all you do for me!
Love Elder Landon James Crapo
p.s. Thanks for the pictures!
Counters
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
August 23, 2010
So, I´ve got lots of news this week! I don´t like to start emails without reading one first but... I´ll just try to start with what´s happened so far.
We were almost positive that I was going to have changes this week, so on Tuesday, we went to presidents house to make banana bread with them to say goodbye. Then we went to visit Delia Castillo, our best investigator to that point, and said goodbye to her too. Then we went to my house and had 7 missed calls. After a few calls, we found out that I had changes, but for some reason they like to keep information form us. All they told me was to be in Xela at 9:30 the next morning. So... it was another late night packing all my stuff. The next morning, I made a HUGE mistake and drank all of the orange juice that I had, before I left. We went to centro and waited. That´s when I realized the mistake I´d made. I had to go to the bathroom twice before we even got on the bus that takes 3 to 4 hours to get to Xela. I nearly exploded and finally had to get off real quick during one of the stopping spots to go on a tree. It was ridiculous. When we got to Xela, we had no time. They told me I was going to Momostenango and to get on the bus because it was leaving immediately. (I took one last bathroom break first though.) It was another 2 to 3 hour bus ride to Momos.
So I´m in MOMOS! I don´t know if you know anything about Momos or not, or if I´ve ever said anything about it, but let me explain a little bit. Momos is the place that everyone either wants to go there, or dreads going there. It is very remote. There are a ton of mountains and everyone lives really far away from each other. Some areas don´t have electricity and almost nobody has a shower. That being said, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The mountains are beautiful and there are waterfalls and streams everywhere. Everyone speaks Quiché and depending on where you go, they might not know Spanish. It is a challenging area but I really wanted to come. One day in my last area, the Zone Leaders called and asked if I wanted to go to momos and I said yes and Here I Am!
Anyway, so while I was on the bus, I met one of the new missionaries. He´s from California and his name is Elder Brown. He´s super excited and I just love to see new missionaries because they are always just so excited. We got to momos and carted our luggage all over the place for a while. Finally, some people from the area showed up and I met my comp. (which at the time I didn´t even know was my comp. until I asked him if he knew who my comp. was.) Elder Crockett from Orem. He has one change under his belt. He´s a half Polynesian blue eyed white guy. He has the Hawaiian attitude of work hard, play harder. He´s been trying really hard to help me "loosen up". Since my last area, I´ve been a little reserved. Of course, as you may know, I can never completely loosen up as much as people would like. It´s just not my nature to be goofy, crazy, fun, but he´s trying. I´m really excited for this change. The next time I get pouch, I´m predicting will be in two weeks. I still lug the piano in it´s huge box. I still need recipes and I even have an OVEN now! We live in the Chapel, that´s why. I haven´t written anyone else to be honest. I want to start writing some other people like Phil and Ben but I can only find barely enough time to write the one and even that has fallen behind a couple of weeks. The thing is, I can´t send mail from momos because it most likely will get lost... So I don´t know what to do. It´s really tempting to send e-mails now. I don´t know what to do to be honest. I have to wait to go to Xela, like we do every month to get food. So... I don´t know. Anyway, that´s that. I´ve got some pictures so... Talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
New Companion, Elder Crockett
We were almost positive that I was going to have changes this week, so on Tuesday, we went to presidents house to make banana bread with them to say goodbye. Then we went to visit Delia Castillo, our best investigator to that point, and said goodbye to her too. Then we went to my house and had 7 missed calls. After a few calls, we found out that I had changes, but for some reason they like to keep information form us. All they told me was to be in Xela at 9:30 the next morning. So... it was another late night packing all my stuff. The next morning, I made a HUGE mistake and drank all of the orange juice that I had, before I left. We went to centro and waited. That´s when I realized the mistake I´d made. I had to go to the bathroom twice before we even got on the bus that takes 3 to 4 hours to get to Xela. I nearly exploded and finally had to get off real quick during one of the stopping spots to go on a tree. It was ridiculous. When we got to Xela, we had no time. They told me I was going to Momostenango and to get on the bus because it was leaving immediately. (I took one last bathroom break first though.) It was another 2 to 3 hour bus ride to Momos.
So I´m in MOMOS! I don´t know if you know anything about Momos or not, or if I´ve ever said anything about it, but let me explain a little bit. Momos is the place that everyone either wants to go there, or dreads going there. It is very remote. There are a ton of mountains and everyone lives really far away from each other. Some areas don´t have electricity and almost nobody has a shower. That being said, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The mountains are beautiful and there are waterfalls and streams everywhere. Everyone speaks Quiché and depending on where you go, they might not know Spanish. It is a challenging area but I really wanted to come. One day in my last area, the Zone Leaders called and asked if I wanted to go to momos and I said yes and Here I Am!
Anyway, so while I was on the bus, I met one of the new missionaries. He´s from California and his name is Elder Brown. He´s super excited and I just love to see new missionaries because they are always just so excited. We got to momos and carted our luggage all over the place for a while. Finally, some people from the area showed up and I met my comp. (which at the time I didn´t even know was my comp. until I asked him if he knew who my comp. was.) Elder Crockett from Orem. He has one change under his belt. He´s a half Polynesian blue eyed white guy. He has the Hawaiian attitude of work hard, play harder. He´s been trying really hard to help me "loosen up". Since my last area, I´ve been a little reserved. Of course, as you may know, I can never completely loosen up as much as people would like. It´s just not my nature to be goofy, crazy, fun, but he´s trying. I´m really excited for this change. The next time I get pouch, I´m predicting will be in two weeks. I still lug the piano in it´s huge box. I still need recipes and I even have an OVEN now! We live in the Chapel, that´s why. I haven´t written anyone else to be honest. I want to start writing some other people like Phil and Ben but I can only find barely enough time to write the one and even that has fallen behind a couple of weeks. The thing is, I can´t send mail from momos because it most likely will get lost... So I don´t know what to do. It´s really tempting to send e-mails now. I don´t know what to do to be honest. I have to wait to go to Xela, like we do every month to get food. So... I don´t know. Anyway, that´s that. I´ve got some pictures so... Talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
New Companion, Elder Crockett
Monday, August 16, 2010
Scripture cases
I realized after looking over the blog, that I neglected to post the pictures that Landon sent me of the scripture case that he had made. Landon designed the logo on the front. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Chisholm for sending the money for the case. He loves it!
For non family members who follow this sight, the logo is a family logo and the dh stands for destination heaven. My father designed the logo and Landon put his own spin on it for the case.
For non family members who follow this sight, the logo is a family logo and the dh stands for destination heaven. My father designed the logo and Landon put his own spin on it for the case.
August 16, 2010
No, I haven´t gotten changes yet, but this week is the real week of changes so I´m pretty sure that I have changes, but I won´t find out until Tuesday. We´ll see what happens.
I have to admit that I´ve used quite a bit of the money from home these past two weeks. I didn't take any money out because I already had a ton of money taken out but I still used it.
First was about $12 (Q 100) for all the banana bread that I didn´t sell.
A Sarten (frying pan) big enough to actually cook for two people, about Q 70 (a little under $10)
a REAL pocket knife so I can actually do some wood carvings every once in a while when I find time Q 125 ($15)
and a little more for printing pictures for recent converts and such.
Now that I look at that, that doesn´t seem like a lot of money but it´s a ton for Guatemala.
The highlight of this week was when we went to Malacatancito, the other branch in our area. It´s suffering a ton, but we have a baptism for two girls. One is 8 and the other is 9. I made invitations for it with permission from the Zone Leaders. They turned out pretty good. The baptism is on Friday at 4. I probably won´t be there though.
Sadly, there isn´t much more I have to tell you. All I can say is that when you don´t agree with your comp, you won´t have success.
I have to admit that I´ve used quite a bit of the money from home these past two weeks. I didn't take any money out because I already had a ton of money taken out but I still used it.
First was about $12 (Q 100) for all the banana bread that I didn´t sell.
A Sarten (frying pan) big enough to actually cook for two people, about Q 70 (a little under $10)
a REAL pocket knife so I can actually do some wood carvings every once in a while when I find time Q 125 ($15)
and a little more for printing pictures for recent converts and such.
Now that I look at that, that doesn´t seem like a lot of money but it´s a ton for Guatemala.
The highlight of this week was when we went to Malacatancito, the other branch in our area. It´s suffering a ton, but we have a baptism for two girls. One is 8 and the other is 9. I made invitations for it with permission from the Zone Leaders. They turned out pretty good. The baptism is on Friday at 4. I probably won´t be there though.
Sadly, there isn´t much more I have to tell you. All I can say is that when you don´t agree with your comp, you won´t have success.
Monday, August 9, 2010
August 9, 2010 Hey look! Cebu!!
The bread... well I made it, but a lot of stuff happened and I couldn't get it to them. I only gave one away and sold another one to one of the companionships in my district while we were visiting them. The rest I ate and shared with my companion. It was about a loaf a day that I ate, and now I'm kind of tired of making it because it takes so much effort to buy all the stuff, carry it to the capilla, and then carry all the stuff back when I'm done. I don't think I'm going to make it this week, but when I do do it again, I think I'm just going to keep it small and to myself or just a loaf or two for the whole zone, not an order of 6 loaves apart from the ones I make for myself.
I think I spent more of this week away from my area than in my area. Tuesday we had intrevistas with the presidente. I took full advantage of the opportunity to ask a few gospel questions about feeling the spirit and what to do if two people claim to have the spirit but receive opposite messages. It helped me a lot. Then presidente told me that I was going to have changes Friday, (which obviously didn't happen) and that I would get a "buen compañero". I felt bad but... I just don't know. Anyway, I'm waiting today to hear if I'm going to have a change this week, or if they're going to wait to do the change until next week when we really do have changes.
Thursday and Friday we traveled all the way to Colotenango so that my comp could do interviews for some baptisms they're going to have there. Other than that, we haven't really gotten anything new. We did help fix a pila for Hna. Rosa, a menos activa, who stopped going to church when her husband died. Now she's saying that she might come to church one day when she has time... It's a work in progress. We're teaching her, soon to be, daughter-in-law. She's not married yet, but they have a kid. That's really common here. It's really hard to get all the papers to get married apparently.
Anyway, while we were on our way to Colotenango, we had to get out of the bus and walk the rest of the way to Colotenango, which is at the top of a mountain, because there was a landslide over the road. We took pictures and I saw Cebu! I was singing the song of the Cebu as we were hiking up to Colo. I thought it was kind of funny. Unfortunately, no one was there who could understand what I was talking about. Now I just need to find a water buffalo.
Well, we'll see what happens these next few days. I'll let you know where I am next time. I'm glad grandma and grandpa are safe. I love you all.
Elder Landon James Crapo
Landon was on the bus that is right behind the landslide.
Monday, August 2, 2010
August 2, 2010
Good luck with your project!
Thanks for the update. It sounds like a lot of fun, all the stuff that you're doing. We´ve had a lot of stuff happen this week and as it is, we´re back to where we were last Monday. We found lots of people, even people who seemed positive, but after this week, they´ve all kind of fallen. We´ve done nothing but contact for the past three days and no fruits, but I´m not beaten yet. I´m going to do everything I know how to do, to help. My comp has been telling me a lot of things I´m doing wrong or not doing at all and it´s quite humbling, but through the help of the Holy Ghost ,and a lot of praying and fasting, I´ve been able to see past his, what seems to me, bad approach and have a stronger desire to do certain things. My Spanish is kind of stationary right now. I can only understand half the things my companion says when we´re teaching. Outside of leccións, it seems as if I can´t understand a word. I´m a little anxious to find someone positive and start having leccións again. Things go by faster when your efforts are fruitful. I´m still waiting for a baptism from someone I found and started the teaching. Other than that, I don´t think I have anything new to tell you... OH! Except the Pan de Banana. So, I was able to find all the materials from asking a lot of questions and doing a lot of charades, but the one thing I cound not find was baking soda. I bought yeast and bicarbonate but that wasn´t what I needed.... I´m definitely making scones to make myself feel better about buying yeast...
Thanks again for everything
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
In a seperate note he said that he had made the banana bread and it was a big hit so he was making a bunch of it today to sell to the elders in his zone. I love it!
Thanks for the update. It sounds like a lot of fun, all the stuff that you're doing. We´ve had a lot of stuff happen this week and as it is, we´re back to where we were last Monday. We found lots of people, even people who seemed positive, but after this week, they´ve all kind of fallen. We´ve done nothing but contact for the past three days and no fruits, but I´m not beaten yet. I´m going to do everything I know how to do, to help. My comp has been telling me a lot of things I´m doing wrong or not doing at all and it´s quite humbling, but through the help of the Holy Ghost ,and a lot of praying and fasting, I´ve been able to see past his, what seems to me, bad approach and have a stronger desire to do certain things. My Spanish is kind of stationary right now. I can only understand half the things my companion says when we´re teaching. Outside of leccións, it seems as if I can´t understand a word. I´m a little anxious to find someone positive and start having leccións again. Things go by faster when your efforts are fruitful. I´m still waiting for a baptism from someone I found and started the teaching. Other than that, I don´t think I have anything new to tell you... OH! Except the Pan de Banana. So, I was able to find all the materials from asking a lot of questions and doing a lot of charades, but the one thing I cound not find was baking soda. I bought yeast and bicarbonate but that wasn´t what I needed.... I´m definitely making scones to make myself feel better about buying yeast...
Thanks again for everything
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
In a seperate note he said that he had made the banana bread and it was a big hit so he was making a bunch of it today to sell to the elders in his zone. I love it!
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