February 13, 2012 Final Letter!!!!!!!

Dear Mom and Family,

I´m not quite sure what to put in my letter today. I have had some mixed feelings. I´ve always hated goodbyes. I think my feelings are similar to the same feeling I had leaving home to come to this mission. It´s the feeling that I no longer belong here and I´m only lingering. That´s how I felt that morning I went into the MTC and now that´s how I´ve been feeling yesterday and today. Last week was difficult for me to want to try and do something when there wasn´t stuff to do. I think knowing I was not going to be here in enough time to get any real work done frustrated me, but thankfully I did have a lot of stuff to do so I didn´t feel like that too much.

I went and interviewed and helped in a baptism this weekend. Elder Hales in Chinacá had his first baptism and he was super excited, but nervous as well because he is training and he didn´t know what to do. He is one of the humble servants God has called to do many things early on in his mission. I have a testimony of the whisperings of the spirit, because a month and a half ago, I thought of who could help me teach in one of my district meetings. I thought of Elder Hales and then felt the confirming movement in my heart that he should do it. There were many reasons why not to have him do it though. He has very little time in the mission and he struggles with the language still, but I couldn´t deny that feeling I had. So I asked him to prepare a lesson to give in three weeks that gave him time to prepare and practice his Spanish. He was very nervous but I knew that it would be a good learning experience for him. He didn´t end up giving it until last week because of conferences and things. What surprised me, and confirmed to me that my feelings were from the spirit, is that this week he has been assigned to be the new district leader now that I am going home. He is now more nervous than ever but I know that he will do well.

I feel one of the recurring lessons I have learned throughout my entire mission is to just enjoy the experiences that come, and to enjoy the process of learning. I´m not so afraid to make mistakes in life. I know it is part of the process. I am grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know he is watching over me and guiding me every moment of every day. I´m grateful for the love He has for me and the relationship I have with Him. I hope that I may always be worthy of His trust as I serve Him and those around me.

So, today I´m going to Xela at 1:00
I´ll get there at about 3:30 at which time I have an interview with President.
After that I´m not sure.
Tomorrow, I´ll be going to the temple, I´ve been told.
Wednesday I´m going to Guatemala City and
Thursday morning I´m on the plane.

I´m hoping they give me time to get some souvenirs. If not, I have a couple but not a lot. I´ll do my best. The market here is kind of crazy and everyone tries to rip you off. It may take me a while to organize all the photos I have and to get all the ones from other missionaries that I don´t have. I won´t have a ton right when I get home though. Another thing is I have to find another suitcase for the flight home. So, there´s lots to do these next few days. I´m excited to see you all, and I´m really excited to spend some time with family again.

UNTIL THURSDAY!
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo

February 6, 2012

Dear Mom and Family,

This week has been good. We kind of are placing our focus on Gustavo now. We´ve been trying to get him to commit to baptism but it´s kind of looking like he won´t make the decision in time for me to be here. Everyone keeps telling me I need to have my last baptism right before I go home but I don´t want to ruin it trying to push him into it. He came to church and he´s learned everything but he just doesn´t want to commit I think. I saw something on LDS.org where Pres. Uchtdorf teaches to simplify our lives. I think that would be a good message to give him. Things don´t have to be complicated. We can follow the simple guidelines God has set for us. We just need to "be still and know that [He is] God." (DC 101:16)

I´d just like to share one of my favorite scriptures I´ve found here on the mission.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

- D&C 123:17

As far as the hymns... One of my favorites since I´ve been on the mission is "Let Us All Press On". Other than that I´m fine with whatever. That´s really my favorite.

Apart from that, I don´t know what else to say besides thank you. I will do my best this week. For dinner I will decide when I get there. I might be craving something at that time. I really just want that day to be relaxing for everybody. At least as much as possible.

I love You ALL!

Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo