I´m sorry I haven´t been able to put you more at ease. I don´t know why I haven´t been able to say the way things really are or to put you at ease. I find one of my hardest things to do is communicate the good. I´m always wanting to make things better but I really am enjoying the mission. One thing I have learned is to enjoy problems. It´s the conquering of those problems or the successful endurance that brings satisfaction. I would really be bored out of my mind if there wasn´t some problem to solve.
So I do have a baptismal date for the 8th. He´s really positive. He didn´t come to church this Sunday but that´s because his grandma was in the hospital. However, he has been reading the book of Mormon and I´m really excited. I´m praying that Sergio will get his answer of the truth because he is reading. We have one other investigator right now and somewhere around 8 references that we need to contact still. It´s awesome that the members are willing to participate. I have a lot of work to do in my district. The data they´ve been reporting, reflect that they may not understand (as I still don´t quite understand) how to work effectively. They are working but none of them are getting very positive results. I know how that feels, so I don´t blame them too much, but I do feel the responsibility to do all that I know how and learn all that I don´t know, to invite success into this district. I´m determined to do the best I can to be the leader that the Lord would have me be. I know that if I follow my favorite scripture ( which has been my favorite scripture since the CCM D&C 121) and lead by example and show patience, love, and concern for the areas and the missionaries, and they begin to change things and start to have success, not only will they be having success, but they will also be happier.
As things are, I´m still just learning how to be a leader and I will make mistakes. I don´t expect to be perfect but I have faith that I can do much with what I´ve been given. I believe now is a good time with lots of fruits to have, so wish me luck as I go foreward. I will try hard to get some pictures and stuff for you so you can see what is going on as well. I love you all and I´m greatful for such a great family who loves me and is such a great support to me. Wish me luck and I´ll let you how things go next week.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Counters
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December 25, 2010 Christmas Phone Call!!!!
Our phone call from Landon on Christmas was AWESOME!!!! He is doing very well and sounded so good and very upbeat. He sounds more confident and was much more talkative than on Mother's Day! He is growing so much. He was transferred a couple of days before Christmas and is the new district leader in Huehuetenango. He said the they have restructured things and a district leader is like the zone leaders used to be. There are 4 areas in his district. Huehue is the second largest city in his mission. I am relieved that he is out of the jungle and back among civilization, where he can get food and supplies more easily. However, I am grateful for the lessons he learned in Momos, and how much he grew spiritually there. His mission president told him that he chooses his leaders out of Momos, because it either makes or breaks an Elder. Landon passed with flying colors, and his president said he has much in store for him. He is excited about this change and the new challenges and opportunities he will have there. He said the members there are very involved and give referrals often. He loves his mission and is grateful for the lessons he is learning. His Spanish is coming along really well and he even has a little bit of an accent. It was so fun to hear his voice and laugh again. It filled our home with joy that lingered throughout the day. He said he is amazed at the love that the Guatemalan people have for a stranger like him. He does a lot of service and is enjoying that as well. His new companion is Elder Fuentes from Honduras. He says he really likes him and he is a good guy. It was a wonderful gift and everyone enjoyed it!
Monday, December 20, 2010
December 20, 2010
Well, it´s been an interesting week. The baptism all went well. I finally got to see Elder Robinson baptize which was an opportunity I thought I wouldn´t get. Estuardo has 10 years and his story is kind of sad. His mom has left him behind and gone to the states and so he gets moved around a lot between his grandparents, who are evangelicos, and his other relatives who are members of our church. For this reason, it wouldn´t be surprising to see how rebellious and quiet he is. I felt extremely disconnected when we tried to teach him. He didn´t respond hardly ever and if we asked him to do something, like pray, or just a simple question to make sure he was learning, he would say no or nothing at all. We had already put the baptismal date for Friday, because of the pressure from the branch president. To be completely honest, I felt this was all being done despite whatever he was thinking or what he wanted. So we taught him everything he needed to know... but there was a lot missing. We came to the lesson the day before the baptism and determined that he had to at least show a little desire or interest by praying if we were going to go through with the baptism. We had a 10 minute argument (sort of) trying to get him to agree to pray at least once during the lesson. We had everyone there give a prayer so he wouldn´t be the only one and he still didn´t. I think the pressure was good though because we finally got down to the reality of it all. He finally told us he did not want to get baptized. We asked him why he said he did before. He mentioned the Branch President and the family pressuring him and a lot of other stuff. Finally, the mother figure stepped in to the room and we began to be able to resolve the problem. When he said "I don´t want to be baptized" I thought, "I knew it.", Elder Robinson had this look of horror on his face, and Elder Guevara began to interrogate him. It wasn´t until the "mom" (I really have no idea what relation they have, to be honest) entered the room and they had a long discussion in Quiché. Finally, the mom explained a few things, including the fact that he thought we were going to beat him with the walking stick I was carrying around, if he didn´t obey. After things calmed down and the mom and grandma spoke to him. I pulled out the scripture in 2 Nephi talking about how Jesus Christ was baptized and why, how when we baptize ourselves, we show our willingness to obey God from that point forward. We all bore our testimonies and with that extra point of view, the mother bore her testimony of the truthfulness of that scripture. After ALL of that he decided that he did want to be baptized, and when we asked him to choose who would give the closing prayer, he said firmly that he wanted to do it. (In Quiché of course which is preferable here) After all was said and done, he did end up getting baptized and got confirmed yesterday. It was really good. There was almost everyone from the entire branch there (which usually doesn´t happen). It was a good ending to this crazy change.
Here are the rules for Christmas.
1. We can only talk for 30 minutes as mandated by the area presidency.
2. We are only to talk to Mom and Dad and possibly brothers and sisters, but definitely not any girlfriends.
So, I will call. It ends up being cheaper for us, I´ve found out. I will call somewhere beteween 1 and 3. I am OK if Nikki wants to be there to listen in on the conversation, but the rules have been set in stone. I know it might be hard to only talk for 30 minutes, but I can only obey or disobey. (and I´ve had just about enough with seeing blatant disobedience and disregard for any rules given by anyone)
I´m only spending 1 hour today, like we´re supposed to, and so now I need to go but I look forward to talking to you on Christmas. I´m sorry the rules are so strict. In my opinion, it´s worse to only give 30 minutes than to not give us the opportunity at all but... oh well.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Here are the rules for Christmas.
1. We can only talk for 30 minutes as mandated by the area presidency.
2. We are only to talk to Mom and Dad and possibly brothers and sisters, but definitely not any girlfriends.
So, I will call. It ends up being cheaper for us, I´ve found out. I will call somewhere beteween 1 and 3. I am OK if Nikki wants to be there to listen in on the conversation, but the rules have been set in stone. I know it might be hard to only talk for 30 minutes, but I can only obey or disobey. (and I´ve had just about enough with seeing blatant disobedience and disregard for any rules given by anyone)
I´m only spending 1 hour today, like we´re supposed to, and so now I need to go but I look forward to talking to you on Christmas. I´m sorry the rules are so strict. In my opinion, it´s worse to only give 30 minutes than to not give us the opportunity at all but... oh well.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December 14, 2010 Better late than never, I guess!
So what happened... Some of us went to Xela to buy some food and stuff, and I bought a duffel bag so that I could survive changes next week, if I get changed. Those who stayed, used Internet at that time. When I got back, I had to put food in the fridge and all of that fun stuff. After that, the power went out and there was no Internet until about the end of the day... therefore, I had no time to write.
It´s been kind of crazy this week. Elder Dority, one of my very close friends now, went home today and the entire zone is kind of sad to see him go. He was a really good help to me. We have a baptismal date this week. It´s a 10 year old boy who lives in a member family that hasn´t been baptized yet, so we´re going to teach him and baptize him this week. I´m glad that at the last week we may possibly be together, Elder Robinson may be able to baptize! It´s kind of strange. I think I may have done something to my success, when I disregarded all my baptisms that I did have, as not really my baptisms. I´ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I kind of seemed ungrateful, now that I look back.
Other than that.... we´ve just been enjoying our time together. I don´t remember if I told you, but we´re in a trio now, as of last week, when we took in Elder Guevara. He´s been a good help to us as well. It´s been pretty fun these past couple of days. He´s been caught up in a lot of scary situations in the Capital where he lives, getting in trouble with the gangs there and all. It´s been interesting to listen to his stories. I´m sorry this is a short session, but today isn´t p-day like last week was. I´ll try to make it up to everyone next week.
Love,
Elder Crapo
It´s been kind of crazy this week. Elder Dority, one of my very close friends now, went home today and the entire zone is kind of sad to see him go. He was a really good help to me. We have a baptismal date this week. It´s a 10 year old boy who lives in a member family that hasn´t been baptized yet, so we´re going to teach him and baptize him this week. I´m glad that at the last week we may possibly be together, Elder Robinson may be able to baptize! It´s kind of strange. I think I may have done something to my success, when I disregarded all my baptisms that I did have, as not really my baptisms. I´ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I kind of seemed ungrateful, now that I look back.
Other than that.... we´ve just been enjoying our time together. I don´t remember if I told you, but we´re in a trio now, as of last week, when we took in Elder Guevara. He´s been a good help to us as well. It´s been pretty fun these past couple of days. He´s been caught up in a lot of scary situations in the Capital where he lives, getting in trouble with the gangs there and all. It´s been interesting to listen to his stories. I´m sorry this is a short session, but today isn´t p-day like last week was. I´ll try to make it up to everyone next week.
Love,
Elder Crapo
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
December 6, 2010
Hey,
Sorry this letter is coming so late, but there´s been a couple of things happen this week, and more specifically, today. The reason I´m writing you now, is because P-Day has been changed to tomorrow... because we had our Christmas celebration as a mission today. So the reason I´m writing you today, and only for this little time, is so that you can sleep well tonight not worrying where I am or what in all of Momos could have happened to me.
The week went well. We hiked between Nimsituj and Patelup, getting to know the members, and now we´re going to try and get some real work done. I feel a little inadequate, to be honest, and have for a while. The thing is, I haven´t even had investigators for such a long time, let alone any hope of a baptism. So I´ve been a little stressed this past week trying to be as good as I can be, to talk to all new people, and trying to be outgoing and friendly and saying and doing what the Lord would have me do, but the truth of the matter is: I am a little out of shape in the teaching aspect, and I have a lot of studying and praying to do if I´m going to be successful. President told us today that unless we are reaching the quota of 2 new families a day and 2 new potential priesthood a day (new, meaning we´ve taught them a lesson already and have a cita for the next lesson), 10 investigators in sacrament meeting a week, and 4 baptisms a month, we aren´t missionaries. SO... I have a lot to work on, and I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. This is what I understand and what I believe the Spirit is telling me from all the things I´ve been taught:
1. I read somewhere in my personal study in the scriptures, that anything that is righteous, that we ask of the Lord, believing that we will actually get it, He will give it to us. Period.
2. We are taught that the principle of faith is action. Everyone knows that. It´s pounded into our brains in seminary and the MTC. Jesus Christ, when he was baptized, was baptized to show that he would be obedient in all things to his Father. It takes faith (or in other words, believing SO MUCH in what we are promised and told to do, that we actually do it with a full expectation that the results we are promised will come.) and an actual desire in order to be able to accomplish the things we are asked.
3. A) People have their own agency. They make the ultimate choice whether to be baptized or not.
B) God knows everyone and knows who is ready and who WILL chose to be baptized, or further, who NEEDS our influence in their lives at that time.
Therefore, our goal is to find those families who are prepared, not convince and make people do something they don´t want to do.
4. We are only promised success if we are doing EVERYTHING that we are told, and are doing our best. That includes everything that we don´t think is a reasonable rule as well.
I´m not going to lie to you. Momostenango is filled with little transgressions. Here and there rules are overlooked. Also, rules are never really clearly stated. Some are made sporadically because of an event that happened a year and a half ago, and are never reiterated. Therefore, some elders know of it and others don´t. You never know who to believe when they say "This is a rule" or "That´s not really a rule" or "That rule isn´t in effect anymore (or) has changed". I´ve found that, at times, I just need to stop listening with my ears and start listening with my feelings and act according to that.
There´s "technically" a rule not to go on any other web site other than the e-mail site. I´ve broken that rule to get conference off of there, to show to the members of Pancá. I´ve received permission to do so, and many other things, from my zone leaders, which is about as good as I can do. I know that having the gift of the Holy Ghost allows me to know if a decision I´ve made was a bad one or not. I´m going to try and follow those feelings to the best of my ability and see where it takes me. I pray that I will have the strength to follow all of those promptings, no matter how hard that is.
So, I got my packages today and I couldn´t wait to open them. Today really is like our Christmas, especially since we´ll be working on Christmas day. So I only got a chance to glance at all the things I got, and all I can say is that everything was perfect. I´m glad to start playing the harmonica once again. The books, I´m super excited to start reading. Elder Robinson and I will definitely have fun with the toy cars. I thought you´d forgotten about the pedometer and the compass, so that was a really nice surprise. I´m loving the caramel and the Christmas orange and am super excited to enjoy that fun memory of Christmas. Elder Winkle had one of those worm things and it was so FUN! I can´t wait to show off my new little pet to all the little Primary kids in the Ward.
Anyway, I loved it and I´m so grateful to have so many people care about me and pray for me.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Sorry this letter is coming so late, but there´s been a couple of things happen this week, and more specifically, today. The reason I´m writing you now, is because P-Day has been changed to tomorrow... because we had our Christmas celebration as a mission today. So the reason I´m writing you today, and only for this little time, is so that you can sleep well tonight not worrying where I am or what in all of Momos could have happened to me.
The week went well. We hiked between Nimsituj and Patelup, getting to know the members, and now we´re going to try and get some real work done. I feel a little inadequate, to be honest, and have for a while. The thing is, I haven´t even had investigators for such a long time, let alone any hope of a baptism. So I´ve been a little stressed this past week trying to be as good as I can be, to talk to all new people, and trying to be outgoing and friendly and saying and doing what the Lord would have me do, but the truth of the matter is: I am a little out of shape in the teaching aspect, and I have a lot of studying and praying to do if I´m going to be successful. President told us today that unless we are reaching the quota of 2 new families a day and 2 new potential priesthood a day (new, meaning we´ve taught them a lesson already and have a cita for the next lesson), 10 investigators in sacrament meeting a week, and 4 baptisms a month, we aren´t missionaries. SO... I have a lot to work on, and I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. This is what I understand and what I believe the Spirit is telling me from all the things I´ve been taught:
1. I read somewhere in my personal study in the scriptures, that anything that is righteous, that we ask of the Lord, believing that we will actually get it, He will give it to us. Period.
2. We are taught that the principle of faith is action. Everyone knows that. It´s pounded into our brains in seminary and the MTC. Jesus Christ, when he was baptized, was baptized to show that he would be obedient in all things to his Father. It takes faith (or in other words, believing SO MUCH in what we are promised and told to do, that we actually do it with a full expectation that the results we are promised will come.) and an actual desire in order to be able to accomplish the things we are asked.
3. A) People have their own agency. They make the ultimate choice whether to be baptized or not.
B) God knows everyone and knows who is ready and who WILL chose to be baptized, or further, who NEEDS our influence in their lives at that time.
Therefore, our goal is to find those families who are prepared, not convince and make people do something they don´t want to do.
4. We are only promised success if we are doing EVERYTHING that we are told, and are doing our best. That includes everything that we don´t think is a reasonable rule as well.
I´m not going to lie to you. Momostenango is filled with little transgressions. Here and there rules are overlooked. Also, rules are never really clearly stated. Some are made sporadically because of an event that happened a year and a half ago, and are never reiterated. Therefore, some elders know of it and others don´t. You never know who to believe when they say "This is a rule" or "That´s not really a rule" or "That rule isn´t in effect anymore (or) has changed". I´ve found that, at times, I just need to stop listening with my ears and start listening with my feelings and act according to that.
There´s "technically" a rule not to go on any other web site other than the e-mail site. I´ve broken that rule to get conference off of there, to show to the members of Pancá. I´ve received permission to do so, and many other things, from my zone leaders, which is about as good as I can do. I know that having the gift of the Holy Ghost allows me to know if a decision I´ve made was a bad one or not. I´m going to try and follow those feelings to the best of my ability and see where it takes me. I pray that I will have the strength to follow all of those promptings, no matter how hard that is.
So, I got my packages today and I couldn´t wait to open them. Today really is like our Christmas, especially since we´ll be working on Christmas day. So I only got a chance to glance at all the things I got, and all I can say is that everything was perfect. I´m glad to start playing the harmonica once again. The books, I´m super excited to start reading. Elder Robinson and I will definitely have fun with the toy cars. I thought you´d forgotten about the pedometer and the compass, so that was a really nice surprise. I´m loving the caramel and the Christmas orange and am super excited to enjoy that fun memory of Christmas. Elder Winkle had one of those worm things and it was so FUN! I can´t wait to show off my new little pet to all the little Primary kids in the Ward.
Anyway, I loved it and I´m so grateful to have so many people care about me and pray for me.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
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