I´m sorry that I´m being so vague. It´s hard because I´m already in an area that´s hard to find people. If I don´t say much, it´s because not much exciting is going on with the work. We walk a lot and talk with a lot of people, but it´s hard to get people, who have a hard enough time growing their corn and having enough food, to be interested in something that doesn´t directly involve those needs. They go to church and that´s all that matters to them, in that aspect. Apart from that, the decisions that a person makes affects everyone around them. So, sometimes things happen that I can´t do anything about, but I can find joy in my own little accomplishments, and that´s what I´m trying to focus on. Really, you don´t have to worry. I´m doing ok. A mission is hard work and is very sobering, but that doesn´t mean I´m having a bad time and that I want to go home. I´m just trying really hard to learn and to grow as a missionary really fast. It may sometimes feel like I´m neglecting to keep you informed, and it´s probably true, but I just want you to know that I´m doing my best and that I´m enjoying what I´m doing. I´m just focused.
We were discouraged this week though, because we had no luck with the investigators that we had, and have basically dropped them. They canceled the conference with President on Wednesday, and had nothing planned because of it. We didn´t want to go walk the same route that we walk every day and try to talk to the same people, so we made the decision that it was time to walk as far out there as we could until we reached an area we hadn´t been in yet. The second house we went to, we walked around behind the house and ran into a mom and her four kids. We tried to offer service and explained why we were there and found out really quickly that they didn´t understand Spanish very well. (Everyone here speaks Quiché and about half speak Spanish well.) But we managed to be able to help them pick some corn from the field. After doing that for a while, we offered, for the second time, our message about "Jesu Cristo." She was very eager to learn about Jesus Christ, but we knew that we wouldn´t get far with how little Spanish she knew, but we gave a prayer, explained a little about fOllowing Christ, and how baptism was a part of that. It was very basic. Then we offered to bring a member family that spoke Quiché with us next time, so that we could start teaching them. We put a cita with them for Saturday, but unfortunately, I kind of got booted out of my area all weekend, when one of my Zone leaders decided to surprise me with divsions without my knowing or being prepared, and the cita didn´t happen. It probably wouldn´t have happened anyway because of the rain. We just had rains for a really long time, but not a huge storm. The coast is what got hit, not us.
That´s been this week. I´m excited for conference. We go to the stake building in Momos to watch conference and there is a specific "Engleis" room that we get to watch it in. This week is also changes, so we´ll see what happens. I honestly think that I´m staying and Elder Crockett is leaving... but we´ll see. I might even train this next change.
Thanks for your love, and care. I´ll talk to you next week.
Your humble missionary son,
-Elder Landon James Crapo
Counters
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
September 20, 2010
So ya, a lot has been happening in the mission. FORTUNATELY, Momos doesn´t have to wear their jackets every day. Only on Sunday. Don´t worry. I haven´t been affected by anything. I have food that will keep me alive. Eggs and refried beans and pasta keep me alive. I do eat a lot, so I might pull into the funds from home. Actually, I had to buy everything from Xela with my debit card because my mission card wasn´t working, but I´ll just keep that money set aside for more emergencies. Things here have been going ok. There´s a little bit of pressure to get some baptisms, but I just know that nobody in our area is ready and we´re going to have 0 baptisms this month, but I´d rather get no baptisms than a rushed and not lasting baptism. They tell us to focus on souls, but then have a panic when we don´t get numbers. I think it´s because if you focus on numbers you don´t get them. If you focus on souls, miracles happen. So when we don´t get numbers, we´re not doing it right. It´s an extremely odd concept and it´s hard to get everything straight, but I´m learning. I´m just going to continue to do everything the best I can. I´ve learned a lot and have faith that this next month and change I will be better prepared to teach and find with ¨convincing power¨. Other than that, I don´t have much. The lady we challanged isn´t in my area and I haven´t heard much about her from the zone leaders yet. I do know that she is one of the chosen and that she will eventually be baptized. I could just tell. We have a meeting with President on wednesday and everyone´s expecting a castigo. I expect to learn how I can do things better. Don´t worry that I don´t have much to say. Momos is a hard area but I haven´t given up yet. Give me another month and I´ll have something to tell you about, I think. Some things just require patience.
I love you all and thank all of you for your letters and care. I really appreciate your prayers.
Love,
-Elder Landon Crapo
I love you all and thank all of you for your letters and care. I really appreciate your prayers.
Love,
-Elder Landon Crapo
Monday, September 13, 2010
September 13, 2010
So, this week has been quite crazy. So as I´d told, you we were going to Xela to buy food for the month right? Well, we went and did all that stuff, but some companionships went and did their own thing and ended up getting lost. Lots of our food stuff got damaged or lost and there had been a couple other things like throwing up on the bus and getting stuck in Xela for the night. It was very chaotic and as a result we are no longer allowed to go to Xela the first of the month. Nothing really happened to me but crazy stuff was happening all over, most of it could have been prevented too. Anyway, so the next day, the Zone leaders taught about that new curriculum almost all day. They also told us that the training for the district leaders was canceled. Bummer. Anyway, we´ve been working extremely hard in our area. There are very few people in our area and we have to go long distances to reach people. These past couple of days, my comp. and I have made a decision to get really serious. We´ve been trying to reach our goals every day and sometimes that involves running up and down mountains to make it in time. It´s been tough and I spent the last couple of nights recovering from heat exhaustion from the days work. Luckily, my companion knows a lot about that kind of thing and won't let me get sick. :)
Other than that, I don´t really have specifics. We had an investigator named Baltazar, but he left for Guatemala City and won´t be back for a month... We´re working with a lot of less active families and have come up with a good plan to strengthen the Branch as a family. I´m very excited to see what we accomplish in this next couple of weeks, but for today... I´m going to take a long nap and try to recover and get my strength back. I can tell just by looking at myself that I´m losing a lot of weight. I´m probably back to my 140, like I use to be before I left.
I love you all.
-Elder Landon Crapo
Other than that, I don´t really have specifics. We had an investigator named Baltazar, but he left for Guatemala City and won´t be back for a month... We´re working with a lot of less active families and have come up with a good plan to strengthen the Branch as a family. I´m very excited to see what we accomplish in this next couple of weeks, but for today... I´m going to take a long nap and try to recover and get my strength back. I can tell just by looking at myself that I´m losing a lot of weight. I´m probably back to my 140, like I use to be before I left.
I love you all.
-Elder Landon Crapo
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 6, 2010 Love this letter!
Thanks for the letter. I really miss family reunions. I'm glad you're all having a good time and you've all been safe.
Happy Birthday Hunter! And thanks for your letter. It made me smile.
So, two highlights for this last week:
I've finally got someone I'm actually hopeful will get somewhere, in my area. His name is Bouthezar (or something like that. It's something close to Boutizar :) ) His wife's name is Maria. He lived in Georgia for 2 years and knows a tiny bit of English and can understand quite a bit. We've gone to teach him a couple of times. Elder Jud and Elder Crockett contacted him first. This week, we went to teach him and he said he didn't have any time. We asked him if there was anything we could do for him. (We always tell them that we're here to serve in any way we can, not just to teach) He said that he actually did have something we could do. They were working on shucking corn, and so the four of us sat in a circle around a big pile of corn, and we all shucked the corn and just talked about stuff like English and what it means to be a missionary and what we do. At one point, Elder Crockett mentioned about his family and stuff and I just sort of took it from there and taught about our wonderful plan of happiness. Elder Crockett and I were working together so well it was like we were of the same mind... That's really the first time I've felt like that has happened. We finished off with our testimonies right as we were finishing up the last little bit of corn. As we ended with a prayer and left, both of us were just super excited. It felt so good. There's still a ways to go with him, but we have high hopes.
This last one happened yesterday and is actually quite interesting. It's almost like a fairytale missionary story. It was just beautiful. It was with me and one of my Zone Leaders, Elder Tucker. They had a cita with someone for that afternoon but Elder Cahawaii (the other ZL) and Elder Crockett were busy doing something, so I went with elder Tucker to their cita. (We took the truck to Momos yesterday because there wouldn't be any this morning.) On the way, Elder Tucker was explaining to me about the new curriculum the church is doing for the missionaries with their new "The District 2" videos. He was explaining to me about the new focus we were having and how to go about this new approach to the same Preach My Gospel. We prayed before we went to the cita and went in. We explained clearly what our purpose was when we got in there. The new thing is to try to make you, as a missionary, "invisible" so that they can really build a relationship with the Lord. We started with a hymn and a prayer, as usual, explaining the importance of why we do each. Then we had a lesson guided by the spirit to each and every person there including the investigator. Right off the bat, she opened up and explained how her near death experience helped her realize how fragile life was and how she was devastated to think of leaving her family in the condition they were in. We gave a great lesson about how we come closer to our Heavenly Father and the steps we need to take to show our faith and willingness, and to start on the path to be with our families and our Heavenly Father forever. By the end, she committed to be baptized on the 18th, EVEN THOUGH the doctor said she shouldn't be in water after her surgery. She has an appointment with the doctor on the 17th, and she's going to ask if she can be baptized on the 18th. In the mean time, we're all going to be praying for her to be able to do this. As we finished our lesson with a prayer, something amazing happened. All of a sudden, it seemed like the room was illuminated a little by an orange light. We went outside to see where it was coming from and we couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It was a huge orange sunset that illuminated the whole entire sky around us in bright orange, with a double rainbow in the back, behind the house. It was AMAZING! Unfortunately, neither of us had our cameras, but the missionaries in Racaná (about 45 min. away from where we were) got a picture of it in the distance. Just imagine me in the very center of that huge bright light. :) We both loved it. If nothing else, it was the most convenient thing that I've ever seen, but I personally feel it was just a tender mercy. I am very grateful to have had that experience.
Now this week, I feel very excited to be able to go to the training as a District Leader. Last week, the Zone Leaders had their training, and now I get to learn more about what really happened yesterday. I strongly believe that the Lord was trying to show me the importance of what I'm going to learn this week. I'm going to be spending three days in Xela during the training. I've very excited.
Today we're going to Xela to buy food for the week! I'm excited. It also means that I get pouch today too, although, for some reason I feel I won't get much, if anything at all, because it was so close to conferences, but... we'll see.
I love you all and am so grateful to have been born of goodly parents, that I would be able to be worthy to enjoy experiences such as this, where I can feel the love of the Lord so strong. I miss you.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Happy Birthday Hunter! And thanks for your letter. It made me smile.
So, two highlights for this last week:
I've finally got someone I'm actually hopeful will get somewhere, in my area. His name is Bouthezar (or something like that. It's something close to Boutizar :) ) His wife's name is Maria. He lived in Georgia for 2 years and knows a tiny bit of English and can understand quite a bit. We've gone to teach him a couple of times. Elder Jud and Elder Crockett contacted him first. This week, we went to teach him and he said he didn't have any time. We asked him if there was anything we could do for him. (We always tell them that we're here to serve in any way we can, not just to teach) He said that he actually did have something we could do. They were working on shucking corn, and so the four of us sat in a circle around a big pile of corn, and we all shucked the corn and just talked about stuff like English and what it means to be a missionary and what we do. At one point, Elder Crockett mentioned about his family and stuff and I just sort of took it from there and taught about our wonderful plan of happiness. Elder Crockett and I were working together so well it was like we were of the same mind... That's really the first time I've felt like that has happened. We finished off with our testimonies right as we were finishing up the last little bit of corn. As we ended with a prayer and left, both of us were just super excited. It felt so good. There's still a ways to go with him, but we have high hopes.
This last one happened yesterday and is actually quite interesting. It's almost like a fairytale missionary story. It was just beautiful. It was with me and one of my Zone Leaders, Elder Tucker. They had a cita with someone for that afternoon but Elder Cahawaii (the other ZL) and Elder Crockett were busy doing something, so I went with elder Tucker to their cita. (We took the truck to Momos yesterday because there wouldn't be any this morning.) On the way, Elder Tucker was explaining to me about the new curriculum the church is doing for the missionaries with their new "The District 2" videos. He was explaining to me about the new focus we were having and how to go about this new approach to the same Preach My Gospel. We prayed before we went to the cita and went in. We explained clearly what our purpose was when we got in there. The new thing is to try to make you, as a missionary, "invisible" so that they can really build a relationship with the Lord. We started with a hymn and a prayer, as usual, explaining the importance of why we do each. Then we had a lesson guided by the spirit to each and every person there including the investigator. Right off the bat, she opened up and explained how her near death experience helped her realize how fragile life was and how she was devastated to think of leaving her family in the condition they were in. We gave a great lesson about how we come closer to our Heavenly Father and the steps we need to take to show our faith and willingness, and to start on the path to be with our families and our Heavenly Father forever. By the end, she committed to be baptized on the 18th, EVEN THOUGH the doctor said she shouldn't be in water after her surgery. She has an appointment with the doctor on the 17th, and she's going to ask if she can be baptized on the 18th. In the mean time, we're all going to be praying for her to be able to do this. As we finished our lesson with a prayer, something amazing happened. All of a sudden, it seemed like the room was illuminated a little by an orange light. We went outside to see where it was coming from and we couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It was a huge orange sunset that illuminated the whole entire sky around us in bright orange, with a double rainbow in the back, behind the house. It was AMAZING! Unfortunately, neither of us had our cameras, but the missionaries in Racaná (about 45 min. away from where we were) got a picture of it in the distance. Just imagine me in the very center of that huge bright light. :) We both loved it. If nothing else, it was the most convenient thing that I've ever seen, but I personally feel it was just a tender mercy. I am very grateful to have had that experience.
Now this week, I feel very excited to be able to go to the training as a District Leader. Last week, the Zone Leaders had their training, and now I get to learn more about what really happened yesterday. I strongly believe that the Lord was trying to show me the importance of what I'm going to learn this week. I'm going to be spending three days in Xela during the training. I've very excited.
Today we're going to Xela to buy food for the week! I'm excited. It also means that I get pouch today too, although, for some reason I feel I won't get much, if anything at all, because it was so close to conferences, but... we'll see.
I love you all and am so grateful to have been born of goodly parents, that I would be able to be worthy to enjoy experiences such as this, where I can feel the love of the Lord so strong. I miss you.
Love,
Elder Landon James Crapo
Monday, August 30, 2010
August 30, 2010 District leader!
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!
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!
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!
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26, 2010 More Baptisms!!!
Sorry... My new comp´s name is Elder Solórzano. He´s from Nicaragua and he knows no English at all. He has had the same time in the mission as I have which means he has had one change in the field more than me. There are a few challenges, but he´s a good comp.
We baptized Francisco, Blanca and their son this week! Francisco has been doing really well with not drinking and now that he´s baptized and has the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Aaronic priesthood, we have high hopes for them. We´re going to keep teaching them. We spent most of our time on the baptism as suggested by our Zone Leaders, so we made invitations for the baptism and even used a big thing of clear tape to makeshift laminate them.
Then, on Friday, we took them to the... ¿Olvigado? to get them married.
Saturday, we had the baptism. I baptized Genaro Francisco Gomez Perez and his son Francisco Gudiel Gomez Gomez. I have pictures so...
It went pretty well. I switched the names of Gudiel because that´s what they call him, Diel, so I had to do that over again, but other than that, it was good. Hna. Esteban has been coming to everything so far. It´s been great. After the baptism, we had refreshments of course. But the thing that wasn´t normal, was that there was no morcaff! (I don´t like morcaff by the way) They had made a big huge pot full of it but spilled it all over the floor. Luckily, there´s no such thing as carpet in this paiz. It was pretty funny. We took pictures of that too.
That´s about it. Thanks for the recipes. I´ll see what I can do. Meat is kind of sketchy here but I shop in a pretty safe place. I love you all and am very grateful for all your support and letters.
Elder Landon James Crapo
Monday, July 19, 2010
July 19, 2010 The Best Day Ever!
I love that something that sounds so hard was described as the best day ever. That's my boy!
My first week in my new area (which is actually my second week) has been interesting.
We've had a bit of some work done in our area from missionaries from different areas. First of all, Elder Ririe, who is a really good friend of mine since the CCM, baptized a family in my area in piedras niegras. (My area is positioned like this... Huehue to Victoria, then there's this triangle T in the road and you go left to Tojocas and then mas arriba to piedras niegras and then another part of my area that I haven't even been to.) The problem is that family Esteban does not go to our branch, they go to the ward in the center of Huehue where Elder Ririe is still. Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this, but it's a little different than in Utah where you can change your records to somewhere else. The Branch is struggling from a boundary division that left the area with almost no members attending church. We had 38 yesterday. We need the people who are strong members to help the branch grow. Missionaries are practically hopeless without the help of the members.
Also, there's Hna. Blanca and Hno. Francisco. The Zone Leaders have been teaching them until we got there. Hno. Francisco has a problem with drinking and they aren't married. Those are their problems. We have a baptismal date for them on Saturday if he doesn't drink. We're am a little concerned that he might not yet be ready. The thing is, we taught him Saturday BECAUSE he drank the Saturday before. So we thought that if we occupied that time, he wouldn't drink that day but we can't keep visiting him for forever. I just hope that we don't baptize him just so he can be baptized and then he falls. I want to be sure he can stand on his own.
So here's the thing; we've been working contacting a few people and we've started to teach a few but, even though Hna. Esteban has a problem with coming to the branch because she doesn't "conoce" the branch (and I can't tell her that it'll be better than the ward because it's struggling to have people come in the first place), still she is going to be key in getting to a bunch of people. We saw evidence of this Saturday when we visited her. While we were talking to her about coming to the Rama instead of the Barrio, one of her friends came to the door and then, from what I can tell, tried to sneak away when she called him in and she went out to bring him in. She explained to him "these are the elders and they are going to teach you and change your life and touch your heart as they have touched mine." She was also the one who has referred Hna. Esparanza who we have been teaching since day one as well. Hna. Esparanza isn't as positive as her Daughter Lesbia though. It's been a great line of people that I can just tell will turn into a web of members that can all help each other in the future ward Tojocas. If we could only get her to come. Maybe it'll just take baptizing some of her friends to get the group of them to go to church. I'm just afraid that if she keeps going to the ward in Huehue, all the people we baptize from her will just keep going to the ward. It's quite complicated, but right now I'm just focusing on teaching those we have received so that we don't lose them.
Anyway, we had a lot to do today as well because of Hna. Esteban. Saturday as well, while we were talking, we came to an agreement that if she came to OUR meeting on Sunday, we'd help her haul rocks up the mountain to a house in construction. She didn't come, but of course we weren't going to turn down a service opportunity. So... we woke up this morning at 5:00 to go haul some rocks. I knew it'd be hard work but I didn't know still what was coming. We went and there were three piles of dirt, rocks, and boulders. We filled somewhere around 80 or 90 pounds worth of rocks in these sacks and started up the dirt road of the mountain. This whole time people we didn't know were saying stuff like "Es cancha!", "Pobre gringo" and "no puede trabajar." I found out later that all their comments were completely justified... I can lift 90 pounds onto my back. Hiking straight up a mountainous hill with 90 pounds on my back or shoulders is a different story. First, they tried using the weird forehead strap thing that everyone here uses, but my neck muscles were just not built to work like that. It was very imbalanced as well. I stopped using it when I slipped in the mud (which is everywhere present, all the time) I just carried it on my shoulders until we got to the top of the hill to cross a stream to go up another steep hill to the top. I finally said "Tengo que descansar" I waited for a while and then my comp. offered to carry both. Of COURSE, I refused and we started back again. About half way up the hill, the branch president came back down, done with his sack, and carried mine the rest of the way. I couldn't do it. My legs were shaking because we were going up the mountain so fast and it was just too much. So, we half ran down the hill so we wouldn't slip in the mud and started once again. This time though I was determined to make it to the top, by myself, without taking a rest. So we started and the first few steps, I slipped and sat down in the mud, and stood back up and started again and went 1 mph up the hill, if that. I got within about 1/8th of the way up and then the Branch president came once again and I almost said no but I was exhausted and let him take it. It made me feel even worse when he carried my bag up the rest of the way faster than I could walk myself. I had to concentrate really hard not to fall because my legs were so wobbly. I failed and made a fool of myself in front of all those people, but I'm just glad I was able to help, and that I don't easily pass out. I'm glad we only did two rounds of that. After, we went home, I bought an ice cream and a fruit drink and we went home to shower and leave to come do e-mail. BUT, first we played soccer for a couple of hours. I don't know how I had the strength to even play, but we did pretty well. So now I'm writing to you with sore shoulders thinking this has probably been one of the best days so far. Next time, I'll be even more prepared to do that.
Thanks a ton for the letter. I'm out of time. I love you all.
Tired,
-Elder Crapo
P.S. I can't quite sleep yet. I have to buy my food for the week (yes recipes would be great. We decided to cook for ourselves.) Then, I still have to write a letter to someone. Then, it's work as usual at 6:00. This is the best day EVER!
My first week in my new area (which is actually my second week) has been interesting.
We've had a bit of some work done in our area from missionaries from different areas. First of all, Elder Ririe, who is a really good friend of mine since the CCM, baptized a family in my area in piedras niegras. (My area is positioned like this... Huehue to Victoria, then there's this triangle T in the road and you go left to Tojocas and then mas arriba to piedras niegras and then another part of my area that I haven't even been to.) The problem is that family Esteban does not go to our branch, they go to the ward in the center of Huehue where Elder Ririe is still. Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this, but it's a little different than in Utah where you can change your records to somewhere else. The Branch is struggling from a boundary division that left the area with almost no members attending church. We had 38 yesterday. We need the people who are strong members to help the branch grow. Missionaries are practically hopeless without the help of the members.
Also, there's Hna. Blanca and Hno. Francisco. The Zone Leaders have been teaching them until we got there. Hno. Francisco has a problem with drinking and they aren't married. Those are their problems. We have a baptismal date for them on Saturday if he doesn't drink. We're am a little concerned that he might not yet be ready. The thing is, we taught him Saturday BECAUSE he drank the Saturday before. So we thought that if we occupied that time, he wouldn't drink that day but we can't keep visiting him for forever. I just hope that we don't baptize him just so he can be baptized and then he falls. I want to be sure he can stand on his own.
So here's the thing; we've been working contacting a few people and we've started to teach a few but, even though Hna. Esteban has a problem with coming to the branch because she doesn't "conoce" the branch (and I can't tell her that it'll be better than the ward because it's struggling to have people come in the first place), still she is going to be key in getting to a bunch of people. We saw evidence of this Saturday when we visited her. While we were talking to her about coming to the Rama instead of the Barrio, one of her friends came to the door and then, from what I can tell, tried to sneak away when she called him in and she went out to bring him in. She explained to him "these are the elders and they are going to teach you and change your life and touch your heart as they have touched mine." She was also the one who has referred Hna. Esparanza who we have been teaching since day one as well. Hna. Esparanza isn't as positive as her Daughter Lesbia though. It's been a great line of people that I can just tell will turn into a web of members that can all help each other in the future ward Tojocas. If we could only get her to come. Maybe it'll just take baptizing some of her friends to get the group of them to go to church. I'm just afraid that if she keeps going to the ward in Huehue, all the people we baptize from her will just keep going to the ward. It's quite complicated, but right now I'm just focusing on teaching those we have received so that we don't lose them.
Anyway, we had a lot to do today as well because of Hna. Esteban. Saturday as well, while we were talking, we came to an agreement that if she came to OUR meeting on Sunday, we'd help her haul rocks up the mountain to a house in construction. She didn't come, but of course we weren't going to turn down a service opportunity. So... we woke up this morning at 5:00 to go haul some rocks. I knew it'd be hard work but I didn't know still what was coming. We went and there were three piles of dirt, rocks, and boulders. We filled somewhere around 80 or 90 pounds worth of rocks in these sacks and started up the dirt road of the mountain. This whole time people we didn't know were saying stuff like "Es cancha!", "Pobre gringo" and "no puede trabajar." I found out later that all their comments were completely justified... I can lift 90 pounds onto my back. Hiking straight up a mountainous hill with 90 pounds on my back or shoulders is a different story. First, they tried using the weird forehead strap thing that everyone here uses, but my neck muscles were just not built to work like that. It was very imbalanced as well. I stopped using it when I slipped in the mud (which is everywhere present, all the time) I just carried it on my shoulders until we got to the top of the hill to cross a stream to go up another steep hill to the top. I finally said "Tengo que descansar" I waited for a while and then my comp. offered to carry both. Of COURSE, I refused and we started back again. About half way up the hill, the branch president came back down, done with his sack, and carried mine the rest of the way. I couldn't do it. My legs were shaking because we were going up the mountain so fast and it was just too much. So, we half ran down the hill so we wouldn't slip in the mud and started once again. This time though I was determined to make it to the top, by myself, without taking a rest. So we started and the first few steps, I slipped and sat down in the mud, and stood back up and started again and went 1 mph up the hill, if that. I got within about 1/8th of the way up and then the Branch president came once again and I almost said no but I was exhausted and let him take it. It made me feel even worse when he carried my bag up the rest of the way faster than I could walk myself. I had to concentrate really hard not to fall because my legs were so wobbly. I failed and made a fool of myself in front of all those people, but I'm just glad I was able to help, and that I don't easily pass out. I'm glad we only did two rounds of that. After, we went home, I bought an ice cream and a fruit drink and we went home to shower and leave to come do e-mail. BUT, first we played soccer for a couple of hours. I don't know how I had the strength to even play, but we did pretty well. So now I'm writing to you with sore shoulders thinking this has probably been one of the best days so far. Next time, I'll be even more prepared to do that.
Thanks a ton for the letter. I'm out of time. I love you all.
Tired,
-Elder Crapo
P.S. I can't quite sleep yet. I have to buy my food for the week (yes recipes would be great. We decided to cook for ourselves.) Then, I still have to write a letter to someone. Then, it's work as usual at 6:00. This is the best day EVER!
Monday, July 12, 2010
July 12, 2010
Wow, that sounds like a really busy week! It all sounds really fun though too. Mine was really crazy too. I did get changes and it was a little frustrating for me because it was extremely haphazardly done, probably because of all the crazy stuff going on in the coast.
So, first of all, Monday they didn't tell us our changes, so when we did shopping, we only bought food for two days, something that has changed for me now. I may just get extremely thin this change. In my old area, the ward members made us lunches for free and then I still used all my food money. Now we either have to pay for a cociñera, or learn how to cook ourselves with only a two burner electric stove and a pot and maybe a pan if we decide to buy one, but we´ve already spent a ton on stuff. I guess I should really explain now.
Tuesday we were doing the usual, getting really excited for all the families that we were teaching, Dionicio Chajchalac and his family and José with his two little kids Alfredo and Jony. They are most likely getting baptized. That night, though, we got a call at 9:30 telling us that we had changes and to be at the terminal at 8 in the morning. So we spent all night packing ang getting ready to go. We did get pictures with Hyrum, a recently returned missionary that was kind of like our best friend while we were in the area. (he can speak English too so there wasn´t that barrier).
We went to the terminal and got herded around. I got on a bus with my new comp that I knew nothing about, Elder Solórsono, and rode for 5 hours to huehuetenango. I had to go to the bathroom for 3 hours on the bus before we got there, then we got all of our stuff (after searching for a place to go to the bathroom and having to pay to go) and found out that we are, once again, opening up an area that has been closed for more than a year, and that we didn´t have a house yet. So, we stayed the night in another house in the area Victoria. The next day, we did a ton of going around with the zone leaders, first to get to know the wives of the Branch President and first counselor, and then split up and I went to work in the Zone leader's area. I stayed that night in the zone leader's house.
That morning, the other elders came to the house and the four of us had breakfast. There was a crazy dog in their house that we had to run away from every time we went in and out of the house. After that, we went to our house that was finally ready with beds, desks, and such. Since then, we´ve been buying stuff we need, planning and doing our best to get to know the area to figure out what to do. It´s been a long week.
I don´t have any pictures of the house or my companion yet but we´re going to play futbol (not to be confused with foot ball) today, and I´ll try to get some pictures. The name of my area is Tojocas and has two branches in it. I´ve only been to one but we plan to start visiting the other one in a few weeks when we get to know the place better.
In my new area, we don´t get mail unless we have a conference, so I won´t get letters for who knows how long... one month maybe.
I love you and I´ll write next week. Thanks for the pictures. You´re right, I do like the color of the flower and I really like the new look of the flower beds. It makes me super happy to see that the thorny little devil bushes are finally gone.
Love,
-Elder Landon James Crapo
So, first of all, Monday they didn't tell us our changes, so when we did shopping, we only bought food for two days, something that has changed for me now. I may just get extremely thin this change. In my old area, the ward members made us lunches for free and then I still used all my food money. Now we either have to pay for a cociñera, or learn how to cook ourselves with only a two burner electric stove and a pot and maybe a pan if we decide to buy one, but we´ve already spent a ton on stuff. I guess I should really explain now.
Tuesday we were doing the usual, getting really excited for all the families that we were teaching, Dionicio Chajchalac and his family and José with his two little kids Alfredo and Jony. They are most likely getting baptized. That night, though, we got a call at 9:30 telling us that we had changes and to be at the terminal at 8 in the morning. So we spent all night packing ang getting ready to go. We did get pictures with Hyrum, a recently returned missionary that was kind of like our best friend while we were in the area. (he can speak English too so there wasn´t that barrier).
We went to the terminal and got herded around. I got on a bus with my new comp that I knew nothing about, Elder Solórsono, and rode for 5 hours to huehuetenango. I had to go to the bathroom for 3 hours on the bus before we got there, then we got all of our stuff (after searching for a place to go to the bathroom and having to pay to go) and found out that we are, once again, opening up an area that has been closed for more than a year, and that we didn´t have a house yet. So, we stayed the night in another house in the area Victoria. The next day, we did a ton of going around with the zone leaders, first to get to know the wives of the Branch President and first counselor, and then split up and I went to work in the Zone leader's area. I stayed that night in the zone leader's house.
That morning, the other elders came to the house and the four of us had breakfast. There was a crazy dog in their house that we had to run away from every time we went in and out of the house. After that, we went to our house that was finally ready with beds, desks, and such. Since then, we´ve been buying stuff we need, planning and doing our best to get to know the area to figure out what to do. It´s been a long week.
I don´t have any pictures of the house or my companion yet but we´re going to play futbol (not to be confused with foot ball) today, and I´ll try to get some pictures. The name of my area is Tojocas and has two branches in it. I´ve only been to one but we plan to start visiting the other one in a few weeks when we get to know the place better.
In my new area, we don´t get mail unless we have a conference, so I won´t get letters for who knows how long... one month maybe.
I love you and I´ll write next week. Thanks for the pictures. You´re right, I do like the color of the flower and I really like the new look of the flower beds. It makes me super happy to see that the thorny little devil bushes are finally gone.
Love,
-Elder Landon James Crapo
Monday, July 5, 2010
Hey Family,
It sounds like you guys have had an extremely fun weekend, especially Hunter. I found I was really missing not celebrating with the family yesterday. It kind of hit home how much stuff I will miss and how much I care about that stuff. It makes me feel better to know what happened and all that. I can´t wait to see Toy Story 3. My comp and I walked past a building that had a commercial for Toy Story 3 on it and it was really tempting to stop and watch it for a little bit but... oh well.
Apparently, we don´t get changes today. We get them later this week or something. I don´t know why, I think it´s a little weird but I guess you won´t get to know until next week where I am.
This week there have been a few excitements and a few disappointments, just like a normal week of a mission. Juana, Maria, Abraham, and David... Familia Camacho moved to Guatemala City for 6 months right when we got Juana and Maria to agree to get baptized. They were the most optimistic family we´d encountered so far and they had to move. To make it worse, their aunt is major evangelico and will probably undo what we´ve done. All I can do is hope that they can be strong and stick to their testimonies that I know that they have now. They both prayed and know that what we were teaching is true. In their own words they both felt, "paz y tranquilidad en [su] corazon" about being baptized and coming to our church.
The HUGE family that we contacted last week we´ve given one lesson to. Out of the 12 adults that were there, we´re thinking maybe 3 of them are taking us seriously and may end up being positive investigators. We´ll see, it´s really tough to teach 30 people all at the same time, 12 adults and around 20 kids running all over the place.
Dionicio didn´t come to church yesterday even though he said he would. We offered to accompany him to church too, but he said he´d go himself. Now he´s probably feeling down on himself and probably will avoid us. We just want to help him because he is really receptive and despite the disbelief of his relatives, that are members of the church, I really do think he can go far if people would just give him the chance.
Finally, we found another familia Paiz Coyoy that seems promising. We needed something after being torn apart after finding out that fam. Camacho was leaving. It´s a family of an inactive mother who stopped going to church when she got married. They have two kids named Alfredo and Joni who are just awesome kids. They both come up and give us big hugs and say,"mi amigo" whenever we come over. The husband is very positive and we´re almost certain they will end up getting baptized and coming to church. That´s it for now. I´m just really hoping I get to stay to see all these people come through, but if not, I know I´ll be able to find people to love and help wherever I go.
I have this odd feeling in me lately of longing to be with my family and friends again, and yet not wanting to ever leave these people here. It´s a feeling of joy that I never want to forget. Joy, because I know that there are people I love who love me too at home, and that I´m making friends that are almost family here in Guatemala. What brings the most joy, is knowing that in the end, I will be able to stand at the end of judgement in the Celestial Kingdom with all of you and all of them together, with a feeling of love and peace and gratitude that is comparable to none other. Thank you for your love and prayers.
-Elder Landon Crapo
It sounds like you guys have had an extremely fun weekend, especially Hunter. I found I was really missing not celebrating with the family yesterday. It kind of hit home how much stuff I will miss and how much I care about that stuff. It makes me feel better to know what happened and all that. I can´t wait to see Toy Story 3. My comp and I walked past a building that had a commercial for Toy Story 3 on it and it was really tempting to stop and watch it for a little bit but... oh well.
Apparently, we don´t get changes today. We get them later this week or something. I don´t know why, I think it´s a little weird but I guess you won´t get to know until next week where I am.
This week there have been a few excitements and a few disappointments, just like a normal week of a mission. Juana, Maria, Abraham, and David... Familia Camacho moved to Guatemala City for 6 months right when we got Juana and Maria to agree to get baptized. They were the most optimistic family we´d encountered so far and they had to move. To make it worse, their aunt is major evangelico and will probably undo what we´ve done. All I can do is hope that they can be strong and stick to their testimonies that I know that they have now. They both prayed and know that what we were teaching is true. In their own words they both felt, "paz y tranquilidad en [su] corazon" about being baptized and coming to our church.
The HUGE family that we contacted last week we´ve given one lesson to. Out of the 12 adults that were there, we´re thinking maybe 3 of them are taking us seriously and may end up being positive investigators. We´ll see, it´s really tough to teach 30 people all at the same time, 12 adults and around 20 kids running all over the place.
Dionicio didn´t come to church yesterday even though he said he would. We offered to accompany him to church too, but he said he´d go himself. Now he´s probably feeling down on himself and probably will avoid us. We just want to help him because he is really receptive and despite the disbelief of his relatives, that are members of the church, I really do think he can go far if people would just give him the chance.
Finally, we found another familia Paiz Coyoy that seems promising. We needed something after being torn apart after finding out that fam. Camacho was leaving. It´s a family of an inactive mother who stopped going to church when she got married. They have two kids named Alfredo and Joni who are just awesome kids. They both come up and give us big hugs and say,"mi amigo" whenever we come over. The husband is very positive and we´re almost certain they will end up getting baptized and coming to church. That´s it for now. I´m just really hoping I get to stay to see all these people come through, but if not, I know I´ll be able to find people to love and help wherever I go.
I have this odd feeling in me lately of longing to be with my family and friends again, and yet not wanting to ever leave these people here. It´s a feeling of joy that I never want to forget. Joy, because I know that there are people I love who love me too at home, and that I´m making friends that are almost family here in Guatemala. What brings the most joy, is knowing that in the end, I will be able to stand at the end of judgement in the Celestial Kingdom with all of you and all of them together, with a feeling of love and peace and gratitude that is comparable to none other. Thank you for your love and prayers.
-Elder Landon Crapo
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 28, 2010
Ok, I´m staying in Quetzaltenango for sure now. That scripture works. I don´t even know what scripture is my favorite anymore. There are too many.
This is the last week of the change and I hope that I don´t have to change areas. I still have a cough with a lot of phlem, but I feel perfectly fine now. I´m always still a little sick, but it´s always bearable, and most of the time not even noticeable now. This last week was jam packed with stuff. There´s no way that I have time to write them all, but I can tell you who we are teaching right now.
There´s a familia Camacho. We found them Tuesday and have taught them 4 lessons. It´s a grandma, a mom, and three kids named Maria, Juana, Maria, Abraham, and David. Everyone is really positive and I´m sure would be baptized, except the grandma is extremely attached to her religion. We´re working on that and we´ll see how things go.
Dionicio is related to EVERYONE in the ward almost. We´ve been teaching him for a week and a half now and he has decided to get baptized. He just needs to come to church a couple of times and get married. The problem is, his uncle Marciano Chajchalac is very skeptical about him, and in turn, Dionicio has become very self conscious and afraid of his judgement. We have to fix that problem. Still, Dionicio will come to church next Sunday. He just wants to be as invisible as possible so as to not draw attention and judgemental looks to himself. We´re working with him, and I´m almost positive he´ll be baptized with his family as soon as we can get him married.
Yesterday, we found a menos activo who moved into our area because the storm flooded their house. The wife is a member, but when she got married she stopped going to church. Now they both are receptive to us and we´ll see how it goes. They have two little boys who are very outgoing and fun.
There are a lot of other contacts, but those are the most positive at the moment. For this reason, I don´t want to leave. We just started to pick things up and these would be my first baptisms that we actually taught.
So, did you get my bike fixed or did you go buy a new one or neither? You may want to know that there´s model car paint on the ping-pong table. Everyone in the family is just an amazing actor and singer, huh? (this was in response to his little brother Hunter getting a lead part in the 2nd grade musical)
Nikki said she was going to chop her hair and donate it. If that´s what she has you do, I want to see what it looks like. I know she´s going to hate that idea and probably refuse, but I just want to see how her hair looks shorter. She says it would be better. I just want to see.
I did buy a keyboard. I´ve been trying to practice some simple hymnos that my comp has. I have a long way to go.
Thank you for all your prayers and love. Just know that I´m always going to be OK on my mission. When I´m sick, it will only be for a short time. Just think of it as another part of the learning experience that is necessary. Besides, this week has been awesome!
Love,
Elder Landon Crapo
This is the last week of the change and I hope that I don´t have to change areas. I still have a cough with a lot of phlem, but I feel perfectly fine now. I´m always still a little sick, but it´s always bearable, and most of the time not even noticeable now. This last week was jam packed with stuff. There´s no way that I have time to write them all, but I can tell you who we are teaching right now.
There´s a familia Camacho. We found them Tuesday and have taught them 4 lessons. It´s a grandma, a mom, and three kids named Maria, Juana, Maria, Abraham, and David. Everyone is really positive and I´m sure would be baptized, except the grandma is extremely attached to her religion. We´re working on that and we´ll see how things go.
Dionicio is related to EVERYONE in the ward almost. We´ve been teaching him for a week and a half now and he has decided to get baptized. He just needs to come to church a couple of times and get married. The problem is, his uncle Marciano Chajchalac is very skeptical about him, and in turn, Dionicio has become very self conscious and afraid of his judgement. We have to fix that problem. Still, Dionicio will come to church next Sunday. He just wants to be as invisible as possible so as to not draw attention and judgemental looks to himself. We´re working with him, and I´m almost positive he´ll be baptized with his family as soon as we can get him married.
Yesterday, we found a menos activo who moved into our area because the storm flooded their house. The wife is a member, but when she got married she stopped going to church. Now they both are receptive to us and we´ll see how it goes. They have two little boys who are very outgoing and fun.
There are a lot of other contacts, but those are the most positive at the moment. For this reason, I don´t want to leave. We just started to pick things up and these would be my first baptisms that we actually taught.
So, did you get my bike fixed or did you go buy a new one or neither? You may want to know that there´s model car paint on the ping-pong table. Everyone in the family is just an amazing actor and singer, huh? (this was in response to his little brother Hunter getting a lead part in the 2nd grade musical)
Nikki said she was going to chop her hair and donate it. If that´s what she has you do, I want to see what it looks like. I know she´s going to hate that idea and probably refuse, but I just want to see how her hair looks shorter. She says it would be better. I just want to see.
I did buy a keyboard. I´ve been trying to practice some simple hymnos that my comp has. I have a long way to go.
Thank you for all your prayers and love. Just know that I´m always going to be OK on my mission. When I´m sick, it will only be for a short time. Just think of it as another part of the learning experience that is necessary. Besides, this week has been awesome!
Love,
Elder Landon Crapo
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