How lovely it was to see your faces

It was so unbelievably great to talk to you guys on Christmas!!!! But time went by soooooooooo fast talking to you. It felt like a half an hour. But seriously that was probably the greatest gift of all. 

This week wasn’t very productive. Which is hard. When the days aren’t productive that is when the mission is harder. So I’m so glad to be working harder this week and especially the 2^nd week in January. 

But here they celebrate Christmas on the 24^th, so we visited all the neighbors and ate a ton of tamales and ponche which is an absolutely delish drink here. It’s like pineapple papaya sometimes grapes or apples or coconut and its hot and probably one of my favorite things here. I will learn how to make it and we will drink it when I get back. Sooooooooooooooooooo gooood. It really was a wonderful day. 

The 25^th was the best talking to you guys though. Afterwards we helped the Hermana’s move into their new house and then all the missionaries in this area went to eat at the bishop’s house, which takes like 30 minutes to walk to. But it was a delish lunch. We had turkey and stuffing and mash potatoes…the works. Puro norte americano almuerzo. The bishop’s son shared stories about his mission.  He had some crazy stories. Like an Hna packed up in the middle of the night and left her companion to go to the airport to go home. Then after that there wasn’t much to do with the day so we finished helping the other Hna’s unpack then visited more members and stuff. 

But the awesome thing about this week was on Friday we went to the TEMPLE!!!! It was so awesome. I put all your names in. The temple here is gorgeous. I saw the new film… it was in Spanish but I understood it all. The new film is cool. When you actually have to talk in the temple…that part was a little hard in Spanish (Because Lindsie hasn’t been through enough to remember it). But the film I understood perfectly. It was sooooooooo soooooo good to go to the temple. So so so good. The temple here is gorgeous. It’s shorter than most temples so the Moroni on top is HUGE. 

The next day we had a multizona. It was basically the president telling us to repent and do better this year, which we all needed and it was uplifting and helped me a lot. But he really did tell us to repent hahaha. So this new year I have a lot to work on. But the AWESOME thing about the multizona was I got to see my Madre Hna Lopez. Man I love her guts and miss her like crazy. She isn’t doing too well with her companion. Her companion is crazy. But seriously it was so good to see her. We are both huehue-sick and miss it like crazy. I think right now she misses it a little more than me. But oh my goodness it was soooooooooooo good to see her. 

This week we had a very very interesting lesson on Saturday night. We passed by an investigator that I have never met yet because they are impossible to find at home but we finally did. She is like 16 years old. A cute shy little thing. But her family has had a lot of problems. Her dad drinks a ton. Seriously alcohol is ruining this country and ruining so many lives here. I have seen it in so many families. I hate it. But her dad came in and joined us. And told us he wants to change. He doesn’t want to drink anymore and wants to find God in his life. So we are stopping by every day to make sure he doesn’t drink. He has made it 24hrs…lets pray and hope he can do it. This family has so many problems it breaks my heart. But I think that all is going to change soon. So keep them in your prayers.

I’m not going to lie…I’m still not the biggest fan of Sundays on the mission. But we got one investigator to church. It’s a little girl named Karla. Her mom basically abandoned her and her two brothers here. And her dad got killed. So they live with their aunt and grandma. But she is the cutest little thing and brought her little Book of Mormon to church. I can’t handle how cute she is. She is 8 years old. And a member passed by so we took a ride in the back of the truck which is always so fun. But the best part of yesterday was we passed by an investigators house and they were finally home! But they were on their roof collecting their corn. Everything has corn on the roofs or in the houses drying to make tortillas. So I climb up the ladder and started to help. And my companion was scared of their ladder so she helped the investigators sister who lives next door on their roof. So we could still see each other. But seriously I was feeling a little down that day. And taking the corn off the cob was so relaxing the night was gorgeous and I got to know the investigators. I felt so at peace afterwards. 

But that was my weird not very productive week missionary wise. But thanks for everything. And for the packages and for your support. May we all have a very good New Year - 2014! And try more than anything to put the savior first. Because that is when everything works out just fine. Love you all 

Hna Anderson

I’m now in La Esperanza

The unexpected happened and I had emergency changes. I’m now in  La Esperanza. It’s the outskirts of Xela. My area is huuuuuuuuuge! The ward is huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!!!! There is like 380 that go to church every week. It’s so different from my other area. But really pretty. We share the area and ward with a set of hermanas and elders. Sometimes we all eat together at the member’s house…it’s weird. I’m not used to it yet. My new companion Hna Cordova is a love. She is so adorable. The poor thing was SUFFERING with her other bat crazy companion. And that’s why we had changes. Some of the members when I met them were like oh it’s the gift from god. An elder said oh good the sickness of zone left. So at least my welcoming was warm by the members but not by the climate. By the way it’s not summer here. It’s just that Guatemala has 2 seasons and that’s it. Summer and winter. and nothing more. So right now its winter. How I miss heating systems. Thank you mom for saying it was a good idea to bring my blankets. I sleep with so many it’s great.

The apartment we live in is really nice and big. The water is a little bit of a pain. But we aren’t in the house a lot so it’s fine. Just to have water there is a bunch of knobs and other stuff we need to do first to have it. We both have a bathroom which rocks. We have four rooms and a place to hang clothes and a huge kitchen it’s really nice. My new area is definitely has more money. All the houses are huge and people have a lot more nice stuff. My area has the peace of Benjamin but is way more populated. Is really is a gorgeous area.

We tried to have a baptism next week but that fell through because they didn’t go to church. But it’s a boy named Cristian and a girl named Karla. They are siblings. Adorable and so smart. They are so great. We took them to the baptism of the other sisters and they know they need to be baptized so hopefully next month. I still feel pretty lost here. But I’m trying to figure my way around. One family in the ward is my favorite. They went to the Aerosmith concert when they were in the capital. And we talked about music and everything. And they had Aerosmith on 

during lunch…I was so happy.

I am really happy here but man it’s hard to leave your first area. I have never given so much of my love to people and never have gotten so much back. I felt I was leaving my family again. I felt the same like I did when I was at the airport. Some of the members just gave me a huge hug and both of us were bawling our eyes out. But I know I will always have family there. And I can never forget them ever. They are so special to me. I love this work. I love my mission. The crazy things can happen but nothing is better. I can’t really think of much right now. And I will talk to you guys on the 25th. Be ready around 8am in the morning my time. And I will write another email explaining more about this in a bit. Pics soon to follow.

I love you all so much. feliz navidad y prospero año,

Hna Lindsie Anderson

I had ranch today and it was delish

Today we went to ruins again. It wasn't as fun as the first time but I bought some cool stuff. Afterwards we had lunch together with the sisters. Getting to lunch was an absolute mess. But we made it. We had meat rice and salad and there was ranch let me tell you after about 6 and half months without it. a la gran queeeeeee ricoooooo!(really delish). 

But anyways now to the more important things. We didn't have our baptisms this week BUT they are for next week. Leonel hasn't talked to his family yet so that’s why we couldn't baptism him. And Fabiola had work all week and we didn't have time to teach her anything. So I'm praying my guuuuuuuts out that we well have them next week. We also have a date with Antonia and Jesus the lamanites seriously they are lamanites. I feel the spirit so strong with them and I can feel the spirit testify to me that they are. Antonia accepted right away. This is something she has always wanted. The problem with Jesus is he works at Mega Paca and right now it's crazy.  He is working double shifts and doesn't get home until 12am and leaves to work at like 5am. He works on Sunday, so we are praying for a miracle for that. The problem is we need to talk to him about this but he is never home. If Heavenly Father wants him baptized he will be baptized. That is one thing I have learned on the mission. If Heavenly Father wants it to happen it will happen. No matter how difficult or how strong Satan might be...somehow...some way...it happens. 

This week we went to the baptism of the grandson of one of our members. This family has SO many trials and problems in their life it's crazy. She has 7 kids and all but 3 are inactivate and all of her daughters are single moms and basically all of them live with her. One of her grandsons had his baptism on Saturday. He was so scared and didn't want to be baptized. Finally he decided to enter the water and when his uncle almost said Amen he freaked out. They were kind of fighting in the water and he left crying his eyes out... poor thing. He didn't end up getting baptized and his mom was so upset and crying her eyes out. Here hitting kids isn't a problem but I think hitting him is one of the reasons he didn't get baptized but I hope someday he will. 

Random two minute story:  When we were walking back from the zone meeting there was a cow just walking in the middle of the road.  It was super funny (had to be there I guess). 

Speaking of zone meeting, we have a new zone leader. He is from Monticello Utah and knows Miriam Reay (An old neighbor and friend of Lindsie's who moved there). We had an awesome meeting and talked about the birth of Jesus Christ and how he wasn't born with any privileges. He was born in a stable with animals everywhere and very unsanitary. But in the midst of one of the dirty and worst places, the greatest hope of the world was born. I love the symbolism of this. I love this time of year. I feel more than ever grateful for my Savior this year. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much. Words cannot express how I feel about him and all that he did for the world and for me. I love watching the gospel of Jesus Christ change the lives of others as they apply the atonement to their lives. It has probably been one of the best Christmas presents I could ever have. I love my Savior I love his work. I am so happy to be part of it. 

Back to other stories this week. My companion and I are in the ward choir for the Christmas program this Wednesday, so we have had a practice. And we are singing peace and goodwill song (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day) I don't really remember in English anymore and after that we are singing Feliz Navidad.  I had to teach everyone how to sing it in English. I sang solo...absolutely solo in front of everyone the English part. Yeah...Lindsie...the Lindsie that doesn't sing loud enough for people next to her in church...sang in front of everyone.  The mission is changing me jajaja. But it’s probably more because nobody here can really sing so I feel comfortable singing. jajaj But yesterday we had choir practice. My mission leader is probably the most tone deaf person I have ever met in my life and he sings louder than everyone else. He only went to yesterdays practice and he decided that he needed to teach the women how to sing too. So he would face us and shout sing to teach us how to do it. Oh my heck, I have never listened to such a horrible choir. I don't want to be in it anymore. I was fine earlier when we weren't terrible, but now we are just horrible. 

Also last 2 weeks ago we had a really fun activity in Relief Society. It was a Christmas party and I brought my Oreo treats and everyone loved them and asked me how to make them. My companion made potatoes with a sauce. There was so much food. It was awesome. We had an investigator there. I love my ward so much. Seriously I feel like I'm in my home ward. I will have a half a year in my first area. Crazy how fast time goes by! 

Yesterday we had to talk in church. My ward mission leader knew about it on Wednesday and told us Saturday at 4 pm, but the spirit really directed me in what I needed to say. It went really well. Yesterday...oh my heck...I have never been soooo full in my life. We ate a little bit before lunch because we had about an hour and a half and last Sunday because I didn't do eat I almost passed out. So I ate a little before going, but lunch was so good it was chow mien and they served a lot. My companion ate too much before we left and she didn't finish and I didn't want to offend the member so I ate hers too. Oh my heck I have never felt this full in a loooooooong time. I thought I was going to explode. 

But anyways, sorry my letter is all over the place like usual. Thanks for your letters and for your support. I hope to be sending you pics of the baptisms next week. I love you all and hope you all are enjoying this time of the season. It's really weird to me that it’s almost Christmas because there is no snow and some days I'm dying of heat. But the weather here is crazy.  One day a ton of sun the next it's a little bit cold. But it's waaaaaaaaaay better than Utah. I feel bad you are all freezing your back ends off. I will enjoy the sun for you. Anyways. feliz semana. lo quiero muchooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! 

con amor,

Hna Anderson 

They announced the changes yesterday and....

I don’t have changes! Which I’m glad about. I’m glad I will be here for Christmas. Also we have two dates for baptism this week. But oh my heck…last night we were waiting for the changes and we received a call from the zone leader. My companion answered and he said pass the phone to your companion. I was like oh my heck no I have cambios!!!  The zone leader started saying, “Hey Hna Anderson it has been so great to having you in the same zone. You are a great missionary and I hope that someday we can be in the same zone again. I hate to tell you that I have changes and you are staying in La Viña.” Oh my heck it scared me so bad, especially because we all thought the other zone leader was going to go because he has been here the longest. But nope. I’m glad I will be here for Christmas, but I think they will have emergency changes later because the other cambios (transfers) aren’t until the 8th of February, but who knows what will happen.  I’m willing do to whatever the Lord wants me to do. I was talking to Froley and he said, “oh my heck you have so much time here you are probably going to have your whole mission here, let’s start building you a house you poor thing.” It was super funny. But seriously if I don’t leave until Feb I will have 7 months in one area. Which is crazy. 

So this week we set two baptismal dates for this Saturday. The first one was with Leonel from the familia de Leon. We were at a meeting with our ward mission leader and Leonel called right before it ended.  I called Leonel back and he said he was in Hue Hue and wanted us to visit him.  We are also friends. So I set the time for 8:30 in the morning. I felt like we needed to. We don’t usually leave until 11am because of all the studying we do. So the next morning I woke up and the spirit said Leonel is going to accept a baptism date. He has had time to think about it and he will accept. I told my companion that and we left for the appointment. And that’s exactly what happened…he accepted. He wants to be baptized. He knows the church is true. He told us when he was little he wanted to be like Jesus was when he was 30 years old. He wants to be baptized but he is a little scared about what his family will say. I have been praying my guts out for this and hopefully we will be finally putting him in the water after four long months of working with him!

The other is a chica named Fabiola. She is the girlfriend of a member and she went to church two times with her boyfriend and we had a visit with her. We played duncan with them…it’s where you play games and then afterwards pray for the people to feel the spirit and let them know we are fun people too. Then the next visit we taught plan of salvation and invited her to be baptized for this Saturday and she said yes I want to, this is what I have been looking for. So that was really awesome. 

During district meeting the zone leader gave the message because we don’t have a district leader right now. But he said something I really liked. Let’s have a white Christmas by having lots of baptisms. And that’s what we are working so hard for. We also hope to baptize Antonia. 

So we visited a member this week that is having a lot of hard problems in her life. Both of her kids are in the hospital in Xela. Her daughter who is 20 something is pregnant and is having problems with her heart, so they have to deliver the baby earlier and her 12 year old son has something in his blood. So she is really stressed and hasn’t been going to church because of that. She lives out of our area but we got permission and visited her. She showed us pics of her daughter because I don’t know her. Her daughter is a gringa. Not really but she is blonde and blue eyed. Super pretty. Her dad died when she was 3 years old. He was a police officer and got shot at the Mexican and Guatemalan border dealing with drug dealers. Her dad is very handsome dude. But I was looking at a picture of her daughter and she was with a man so I asked the member if it was the dad. She said no this is the dad and then passed me a picture of a coffin. I almost died. She was like no this is him, he is in the box. It was the saddest thing ever but kind of funny the way she passed me the picture. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped. a la gran. The life of a missionary…you never know what you are going to get next.

Speaking of you never know what you are going to get. There is a place in front of the church building where a lady sells drugs. Pretty sketchy…right? But don’t worry we are safe. Aaaanyways I’m kind of hesitant to tell this story because I don’t want you guys to worry about me. But anyways I will tell it. The lady that sells the drugs left her place and we were walking and she started talking to us. She had the sweetest face ever. And we started talking to her and she told us she is a single mom has two kids of her own and two kids that are her nephews. She told us why she has the kids because their brothers were tortured to death by somebody who inflated them with gas until they exploded. Saddest story ever. And it just broke my heart because I know she feels like she has to sell the drugs because that is the only way she can take care of her family. It’s so sad.

Yesterday during lunch the weirdest thing happened to me. I was eating and my stomach started to hurt. I thought it was just gas from feeling hungry so I kept on eating. Then I got ridiculously hot I took off my sweater and then I felt like I was going to puke and the world started turning.  So I told my companion and the members heard me so they showed me where the bathroom was and I tried to walk and I almost fell over.  My companion grabbed a hold of me and I almost passed out. The member, her husband, and my companion were all holding on to me because I’m so flipping tall for this country.  I almost fell so they took me to the bed and I was sweating like craaaaaaaazy and then my arms went dead. They said call the bishop and tell Hno Roque to bring his car to take her to the hospital. I thought to myself there is no way I’m going to the hospital here. But like 10 minutes after I felt a lot better and finished eating. I rested at their house for a bit then we left. But I couldn’t make it home so I called Froley and he drove us home and I slept. Then we left to the Christmas devotional and taught a lesson.  Today I feel totally better basically. I have no idea what happened. The member was a nurse and she thinks it’s because I’m not getting the vitamins in my diet. So I’m going to buy some ensure and fruit will be my breakfast now. No more junk food. But I feel good today. So weird. It freaked me out a little bit I’m not going to lie. But hey I’m good I’m living and looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooving the mission. 

Hey, 16 days left until I talk to you guys. Wooooooooooooooo. And it’s been 5 months today since I have been in the mission field.  Time flysssssssssssssss by! 

Anyways this was my week. I don’t have a lot of pictures to send. I might not have any but pictures to follow maybe. 

And about the little boy at the bus terminal, I feel like the worse person in the entire world. I was just in such a shock and a trance with this little boy I couldn’t move I couldn’t do anything. I am so mad at myself for that. But another Hna bought two treats. And you better believe I will look for this little boy in the terminal next time I’m there. The saddest thing is there are thousands of these little boys here. And I just want to take them all home with me. Sorry I’m horrible. I just couldn’t give over his eyes and him. I just couldn’t do anything. It was like I couldn’t move. But yeah sorry. ... 

Anyways that’s my week. Love you all. Feliz semana y feliz navidad in 16 dias! 

con mucho amor

Hna Anderson 

I felt like I was writing you guys yesterday and here we are on another week

Today we went to Mega Paca and ate at McDonald’s.  It wasn’t that fun and there weren’t a lot of good clothes. I have been really emotional this week, especially today and yesterday. On our way to Mega Paca we took a bus and the bus passed by the terminal where all the buses are at and there are always people there to sell treats and other stuff. There was a little boy about 10 years old, absolutely dirty from head to toe. He was in old ragged clothes selling candy. Pretty sure he doesn’t have a family which was probably the saddest thing. It was such a powerful moment…I’m bawling my eyes out right now just thinking about it. It really got me thinking. Life isn’t about things. One thing I have started to hate about the USA. We are so blessed and so lucky. Yes we need the food and the necessities of life, but we are SO BLESSED. The eyes of this little boy will forever haunt me. My invitation for you all this Christmas season to not get wrapped up about stuff. But to worry about others and how we can serve them. Sorry about my rant about that. 

This week was so cold actually just the 27-29th. A la gran.  I have no idea what happened there but it was so cold. And there is no such thing as heating here. So the houses are freezing too. But now it’s the normal Hue Hue again. We will see what happens. I need to buy more tights and warmer clothes especially if I get send to Xela. 

But Thanksgiving was so great! All the missionaries in HueHue had Thanksgiving lunch at a member’s house that lived in Utah and learned how to cook there. He lives in the middle of nowhere in HueHue.  I probably could never find it again. But we had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, the works…it was sooooooooooooo goood. We also had an ugly Christmas sweater competition. Basically only the gringos did it. But I won. My sweater is hideous. I bought this crazy sweater in a Paca and put Christmas things on it. It was really fun

The next day we had multi-zone conference. It was so good. I learned so much. The president of the mission is awesome. And one of the AP´s is soooo amazing. I feel like I’m listening to a future apostle. He is sooooo great. There were so many good talks. We finished around 3:30 and it started at 9:30ish or maybe ten but we were there at 8:30ish. Afterwards we went to the house to get our stuff ready and my comp puked. Then she felt better so we went to an important lesson but afterwards she was sick again so we stayed in that night. 

We kind of had a baptism goal for this month with an old investigator from the other Hna’s before us. I know she would have accepted if it wasn’t for her husband. She is going to talk it over with him. I just feel like now is the time for them. We explained the difference in baptism and it made perfect sense to her. I hope she will accept. 

We are trying to get more investigators right now. And I have just been talking to everyone. It’s kind of fun and it kind of shocks people when I ask them how they are. 

I love the work I love the people they are changing my life so much. And I don’t ever want to leave. I am starting to understand more my life purpose of service to others here on the mission. I really truly do love it.

Love you all. Love this work. 

Love Hna Anderson

One more month and I will be talking to you all

I can’t believe that I will be talking to you all in one month. So crazy. I can’t believe how fast time passes. It’s crazy. Also I will have been out six months this week. One year left. Man time goes fast. I don’t like the thought of the one year left. I want more time! This time next year I will be home!  What the heck!? 

So this week has been a little bit of a struggle with Hna. But I’m getting there slowly but surely. I learned that on a mission I can’t go run whenever I want. To help with the feeling of annoyance…I clean. So the house is really clean right now and all my clothes, so that’s a plus. But I love my area and the people so much. The only good thing about Hna Lopez leaving is I realized how much Spanish I really do know and how well I do know the area. 

This week was stake conference. Saturday night we went to a session. The president of the stake said there is going to be three stakes in HueHue. Chills ran through my body when I heard that. Guatemala is such a beautiful country with even more beautiful people. Yesterday the conference was a satellite broadcast. The seventy from Guatemala spoke as well as the primary president. Elder Scott spoke Spanish…it wasn’t translated for him and Elder Eyring spoke. It was really good session. It was only for the people in Guatemala. Which is cool!

This week I thought we were going to have a baptism for Hna Tomasa. We had such a spiritual experience with her. We were all crying but she didn’t accept, but hopefully for this Saturday. Pray for a miracle that it will happen please!  She needs this gospel so badly. 

Yesterday a member invited us over for hot chocolate and a super delish treat that were kind of like pancake puppies from Denny’s. It’s the sister in law of the president of the stake and we talked with them and got to know them a bit better…it was cool. I love that family! It’s always great to share with them. 

This week was kind of boring not a lot happened. But I hope all is well with you all. Pray for me to have more love. I am so blessed to be serving my mission. I love it so much. Probably the best thing that happened to me. 

Oh yeah mom I have a picture of you and me in my Book of Mormon and I showed it to various people in the ward. And all the ladies said wooooooow your mom is YOUNG! How old is she? I always ask them how old they think you are? They say 42 or 43.  And when I say your age they all don’t believe me and ask, what is your secret? One person said your mom looks more like your sister. Everyone things you are absolutely beautiful. I told you mom.  And now I have everyone in HueHue and in La Viña think so too. If you need evidence. jajaja love you all 

con amor y cariño (with love and affection),

Hna lindsie Anderson 

For thanksgiving the guy that owns Zumba the restaurant where I wrote my name on the wall is a member and he lived in Utah.  He is going to make Thanksgiving lunch for all of us. That will rock. The weather here is so nice and warm it doesn’t feel like its Thanksgiving this week.

Oh yeah this week we had another rat in the pila. It was a lot smaller. Now we have something to cover the water so no more rats in the water.... 

This week was good but sucked really bad at the same time

So yeah. I have a new companion. She is really good and wants to work but oh my heck it has been HARD! My companions name is Hna Sanchez. She is really nice but is a little bit of a princess. I feel like she was sent to HueHue to toughen her up a little bit. We took a taxi all the way from Xela to HueHue.  A la gran (oh great) I couldn’t believe it when she told me that. She said she would pay for it, but guess who ended up paying for it?...yup me. She paid for his gas but it ended up being around 200 Quetz…20 something bucks. And it took forever! I never thought I would actually want to be in an autobus. We were in a trio just for the ride over to bring Hna Dominquez to her new companions. We had a big confusion with her companions but everything turned out ok. My companion is from Peru and she was in Xela for six months. She left the CCM the day before I entered, so we basically came out about the same time. Her trainer was the nurse that made my appointment for the dentist that I didn’t end up having. This nurse has problems with listening and it turns out my companion is a lot like her.  My companion went to the president’s house last Monday and asked him not to be changed or moved. All she wants is to return to her first area. So she is sad basically…aaaaaaaaaalllll the time, which is hard. I’m trying to put my best foot forward trying to be happy and at the same time trying to serve her. But it’s hard especially since I miss Hna Lopez like crazy bad! But it’s ok. I’m doing ok. I’m just trying to work. When I’m working I’m not sad. But Wednesday the day after changes I forgot in the morning that we had changes and I almost yelled GOOD MORNING HNA LOPEZ (what day is it today?) que dia es hoy? vamos a correr. And that is when my heart broke when I realized it wasn’t Hna Lopez. That was probably one of the worst moments on my mission. Yes I had hard times with Hna Lopez but she is absolutely amazing. Without her I realized how much I learned from her and how great of an example she was for me. One good thing is without Hna Lopez I realized I really do understand a lot of Spanish and I do know a lot of things I didn’t think I knew so that’s been good. So I’m just trying to chug along trying to work when I work it’s all good.

This week was also my companion’s birthday.  I made her breakfast and bought her two cakes, a baby one for the morning and a bigger one for the night. It went pretty well. I think it was kind of hard for her though, which I felt bad about. I really have been trying my hardest to make her feel good. But there isn’t a whole lot I can do. She has to decide to be happy as well.

This week was also the birthday of Emanuel the son of Hna Adela the recent convert. We bought him a cake and went over to visit. We went to the kitchen to eat the cake. And here the tradition is to smash the cake in the face right? Anyways he was joking around with the cake and had it in his hands like he was going to smash it in his face. In this split moment I decided to help him and smashed the cake in his face, it was SO FUNNY!!!!!! We were all dying of laughter. It was so great. He wasn’t mad, he thought it was hilarious and got me back a little bit and put frosty on my face. But it was fun to share with them.

Yesterday we stop teaching Sandra and Leonel. They are leaving for their home in San Marcos and don’t return until January. Which stinks. We had a date for baptism but obviously that’s not going to happen. It hurt. Especially after all the amazing lessons we had with them and how good of friends we all are. Especially since they know this church is true. They know it…they just don’t want to be baptized yet.

One thing that rocked was Tati was here visiting. I love her so much!!!! She made my week so much better. She is the member that helped us with Dorita and because of her Dora was baptized. Tati is an absolute doll. I love her so much! She comes back to HueHue on the 20th of December.  But who knows if I will be here since changes are on the 10th of December.  We will see.

But that’s about all. Sorry my letter is so humdrum. It was a bit of a rough week. But I love the people here and I love this work. I’m so grateful to be here. And I’m so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I don’t know what I would do without it. Because I’m nowhere close to perfect and he understands us exactly. I know this church is true and I know there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes life is hard but it always turns out fine in the end. Hope all is well with you all thanks for your prayers.

Miss you,

Hna Anderson

p.s.  Just so you know. the weather here is like the middle of august. its a little chilly at night but oh my heck the weather is BEAUTIFUL!   I'm loving it!

Today is a super sad day

Yesterday we found out who has changes. I had a feeling this whole week we were going to have changes. And I felt the whole week it was going to be me or both of us. I did not want it to be my companion and me left here in my area without my companion. There were lots of reasons I didn’t want this to happen, but guess what happen?  My companion has changes and I am going to get a new companion tomorrow. All day today and yesterday I have been on the verge of crying or crying. Like right now I’m trying not to bawl my eyes out. Seriously my companion is an amazing person. And we will always be such great friends. Yes we had our bad moments, but all the great moments are faaaar better than the bad and I learned so much from her. We are so close and so close with the members as a companionship. So everything isn’t going to be the same here.  And I don’t know what going to happen.  The truth is I’m really sad and my heart is broken. When the District leader told us yesterday he started off with a "joke" and then said we both have changes and then said joking…only your companion, which ticked me off so bad. I was sad that we were both leaving, but felt better about that.  But then when I found out it was only my companion, man that just plain sucked. Oh and my dear Hna Lopez has so many clothes but we don’t have too much left to pack. I know the ward will be heartbroken has well. This is tough!  Yesterday I had to give the lesson for principles of the gospel. And I didn’t know that until 5 minutes before. But I gave it on faith and it was totally inspired from Heavenly Father and not my words. And I think He needed me to give the lesson for my benefit.  I know this is a trial of my faith and that all will work out.  It’s just hard to feel happy right now. I just hope my new companion is a good one. And I guess I still have more to learn in the area La Viña, my baby little area.

But other than that this week was really good. We visited with Antonia and Jesus. I am so fascinated by these people! They speak Popti (The Jakaltek /hɑːkəlˈtɛk/ language, also called Popti, is a Mayan language of Guatemala spoken by 9,000 Jakaltek people in the department of Huehuetenango). It’s so cool. Try to look it up on the internet. They taught me and my companion some words and sayings. Antonia went to church with us. On Saturday she said please bring me to church…I want to go. She is so amazing. We also met her sister this week and taught her the plan of salvation too. Antonia wanted us to teach her sister which was awesome. They really are a special family.

Also this week we had a lesson with a lady name Teresa. She is this tiny little thing that has two cute little kids. She also speaks a Mayan dialect as well as her family. So you know you’re in a cool country when you are teaching in the language you are assigned to teach and they don’t understand you or your companion because they don’t speak that much Spanish. What the heck?!    Many times in the day I ask myself where am I? Also it has been a little hard and that is why I am I so blessed? So many people have nothing and I have so much. I just want to give people everything I have. But there is a reason I was born in Utah and born with so many blessings. But I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to be here and to meet such amazing AMAZING people.

Also don’t worry about the drunk lady. We were safe. And I know we shouldn’t have done that, but it turned out to be so funny! She is wasting her life away and the amount that she drinks she might drink herself to death. We were really just trying to help her. She said she wanted the help but her love for the alcohol is so much stronger than the desire to change. Also it breaks my heart when before we would try to visit her and her daughters would say no because she is drinking again. Seriously the saddest thing in the world. But I hope you enjoyed the story anyways. hahaha

We had a ward activity this week…a basketball game with the other wards. Nobody showed up at first but it turned out really fun! One thing that was bad was Maicky the brother of Froley had his graduation party the same night and everyone is HueHue basically knows this family. There were probably 400-600 people at this party. So that is one reason we didn’t have a lot of turn out at the basketball activity…but it was really fun. We also helped Hna Loly…the mom of Maicky and Froley…make tamales and wrap them.  It was fun and I wanted to learn how, even though I don’t like tamales all that much. The mother in law of Hna Loly turned blind about a year ago and she was helping us wrap the tamales. Basically there whole family was there helping to get ready for the party…it was awesome.

Rat story number 3:

This story isn’t as exciting as the others but here we go. The other day my companion went to the pila to wash clothes…and what did she find? A drowned rat. It was disgusting and all the fleas were floating around the head of the rat. It was so nasty and neither of us wanted to take it out. But thankfully a silent prayer was answered and Hna Vicky the owner of the house was up in the area where we wash our clothes and she took it out and washed it. Blessings!!!

Anyways that’s about all this week. I love you all so much thanks for all your prayers and support! Have a wonderful week. Pictures to follow

Much Love

Hna Anderson

Well, Hello There

So this week was crazy just like every week. I have the crazy story. Don’t judge me for what happen in this story my companion and I didn’t have much time to think and so this is what happened. So drinking is a huge problem here. Drinking has destroyed so many people’s life and brains. Seriously some people are nearly impossible to talk to because the alcohol has ruined their brain. Anyways one reference is from one of our members and is basically the town drunk. She is always drunk and we always try to give a spiritual filled lesson and then ask her not to drink for 24 hours. But she is usually a little bit drunk when we teach her so it’s a little hard, but when she isn’t drunk she won’t talk to us. So on Tuesday we told her not to drink for 24 hours and we will return the next day to see how it she is doing. And she agreed to it. Later that day we were talking to a member who lives down the street from her. And we saw her and knew exactly what she was up to. Yup go buy some alcohol. We tried to get her to go back to her house but she wouldn’t, so we walked all the way with her to the liquor store. Thinking she wouldn’t buy it with us there. We asked her, “what about your husband?” (He died and she just wants to be with him again, but she has four children that aren’t super young) anyways so we told her, “do you want to live with your husband again?” You are better than this. You are better than a liquid. But she bought it anyways. So we walked back with her. And she had it in a bag and filled a water bottle with the alcohol. She bought some bread for her family and she was carrying her shopping bags. My companion said can I help you with your bags. And so she gave my companion all the bags including the one with alcohol. We couldn’t believe it. And the whole way back we were praying for the opportunity to get the alcohol away from her. Anyways we entered the house and my companion was like…I need air and left the house with the alcohol. I followed and then we ran for it. The lady was in another room so she didn’t see us leave. We booked it to the church building because I had classes de English. We dumped out the alcohol. The church has a giant gate and the front of it was locked, but the back of the building wasn’t. So we turned to go to the front gate and she was there. Man…did she book it. We put my water in place of the alcohol. My companion and I walked towards her and acted like normal. Then my companion said, “Here is your bottle, I forgot to leave it”. She took it and left, but at the last moment decided to smell what was in it and found it was water. Man…she was mad. At first I was a little stressed about what happened with her, but it was really hilarious the next day. My companion asked, did we break a mission rule? And I said, not that I know of. But then I asked, did we break a law? and she said nope in Guatemala its fine. (hahaha) Anyways we do crazy things to try to better the life of people. Don’t judge. Just laugh. Laugh with me. (We did give her the money it cost for her to buy the alcohol) 

So Halloween here is nothing like Halloween in the U.S. but they have the serenata. And it’s in our area so we passed by SUPER fast and it’s so awesome. There was marimba, singing and dancing and everyone who lived in HueHue was there. It was awesome. And then throughout the whole night bands walked around serenating girlfriends and wives. I didn’t hear anything during the night but it’s for the whole night. But it was cool and the first of November is dia de muertos or day of the dead. Nobody was out this day. Everyone is at the cemetery. Everything was closed. It was crazy and definitely not the best day for teaching but it turned out to be a pretty good day. 

Oh yeah, Halloween we ran into Atonia and Jesus, the awesome investigators from heaven. We talked to them for quite some time. They aren’t originally from HueHue and Spanish isn’t their original language. They learned Spanish when they were little but it’s not their first language. And they spoke it for us. It’s some Mayan dialect I think. I don’t remember what it was called. The spirit was so strong, just talking to them about regular stuff. I felt like I was talking to the descendants of Nephi. It was so awesome. 

You also know you are in an interesting country when during the middle of the lesson your companion tells you lift your foot to find you find a small cockroach underneath your foot. Your companion smashes, it but not hard enough and later its running in the middle of the room towards your pictures of the plan of salvation and then the little boy of the family smashes it and everyone is happy, then the little boys does a little laugh of victory. 

I also learned that lice are black here. Don’t worry I don’t have lice but I learned that because I caught a bug on me and drowned it before lunch at a members house. And we all were discussing what it was. Catching fleas and collecting them is kind of a hobby for me and my companion. I haven’t been eaten alive like usual and haven’t had too many flea bites recently. I think my blood is more chapina (Guatemalan) than American. 

Yesterday we had a reunion with all of the Hermana’s and the sister missionaries that are the leaders of the zone of sisters. It was really good and really spiritually uplifting and we learned a lot. I felt the spirit so strongly. Some of the sisters shared this awesome story about Jesus and the spirit was so so so strong. Also we had a meeting with all the leadership of the different groups in the church. Don’t remember what it called in English. And the stake president was there. He is an awesome dude. I’m kind of scared of him but I always learn so much. And he said this shouldn’t be about the activities we have. This is about the people we have. How we can get the inactive active? Who needs our help? Who needs a calling? How can we help the converts and the people investigating the church? It was so awesome. 

Also on the 1st and 2nd of the month of November everyone eats fiambre. It’s like a bunch of vegetables and random meat and cheese and beans it’s really good it’s a huge tradition here. 

Changes are next week. I don’t know what is going to happen but Heavenly Father knows how I feel and what I need. Also the changes are going to be weird so we will see what happens. Because they are on the 12th of Nov and again on the 10th of December so for four weeks. And then for 8 weeks in December. But I just am putting my total faith in the lord that he will put me and who we will put me with and when. Thanks for all of your prayers. I don’t know what I would do without all your help. You all are the best. Have a wonderful week. Pictures soon to follow some more from last week and from today. 
con amor, 
Hermana Anderson

God shows us our weaknesses and miracles always follow

So this week was crazy like usual but it was great. I love my mission but there is one thing that is true, a mission is HARD!  And before my mission I knew I had weaknesses, but I never realized how many I actually had until I was on my mission, especially being in a totally different country with a new language.  Sometimes I feel like one giant weakness, but there is one scripture that I always keep in mind that is in Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 

And I just have to remember the lord is showing me all my weaknesses to make me strong. It’s hard but it’s good and I’m definitely learning a lot. At the beginning of the week I was feeling a little hum drum. I just feel like the work is a little dry right now and we didn’t get a baptism for this month. But the other day I was pleading with the lord for us to find SOMEONE who is ready. And on Thursday that is exactly what happen. 

My companion and I went to visit some people, but they weren’t home so we decided to do a little contacting. My companion chose the door and while we were waiting for someone to answer we heard a window open behind us. I looked and saw a little girl and started talking to her. Her name is Jennifer - who was such a little miracle for us, probably because her name is Jennifer (hehe).  We asked her what her name was and how old she was and if we could help her in some way. And she ran and brought someone to the door. She brought a young man and he opened the door and told us to come in and brought us chairs without us really saying anything. Me and my companion looked at each other like, what do we do this never happens. But we talked to him and found out he was recently married and asked him if we could share a message with him and his wife. He said yes so we talked with them and shared the plan of salvation and they loved it.  We invited them to noche de hermanamiento which was that night and they accepted. It’s a night where the ward gets together to share a small message, then have a snack after and they came with us. Oh by the way their names are Jesus and Antonia. They are so cute! And the person giving the message asked a question and Antonia answered! I couldn't believe it! Then afterwards we gave them a tour of the church and then walked them back to their house. They dated for 7 years and have been married for 6 months. The problem with them is Jesus works at megapaca on Sundays. So we are praying for a miracle to happen. We passed by on Saturday to see if Antonia could go to church with us the next day. She wasn't home, so we left a note. We passed by Sunday morning and she left a note on the door saying she left for the weekend but wants us to come visit this week and sorry she couldn't go to church. I couldn't believe it, an investigator from heaven! I’m just praying all will work out with them! It was so awesome!

So let me tell you about the RIDICULOUS part of the week. Last Sunday we were given grilled corn and part of the black grilled part of the corn was on my front tooth. I try to get it off and it went UNDER my gum. Yes…I know…only me.  And I couldn't get it out. I thought I got it out one day but it was still there.  It caused my gum to get all sore so I was like alright I will call the nurse at the mission home and get an appointment with the dentist because I don’t want any problems. So she made the appointment for Saturday because she said the office was closed until the 4th of Nov and I couldn’t put it off for another day. Ok bueno, we went to Xela on Saturday for the dentist. Before we left I verified it was on Saturday and she said yes. The nurse can be a little airheaded sometimes. Sorry rude but soooo true. Anyways, so we left HueHue at 12 and took a bus - that was so crazy!!! It usually takes 2.5 hours to get to Xela but it only took us 2 hours. It was the Indiana Jones ride for two hours, but with real dangers. Only in Guatemala do the buses drive faster and pass all of the cars. My companion and I had to hold on for dear life! Goodness, even the bus driver was holding on for dear life at times. Man it was crazy. And the person that yells out to where the bus is going and takes the money from the people was the son of the bus driver.  The bus driver got a kick out of us nearly sliding off our seats. Afterwards the guy that takes the money blew me a kiss, which was interesting more about that later. Anyways we got some lunch passed by the office for my permission slip, bought some Xela pan and went to the dentist. My appointment was at 4 and we got there at 3:30 to see if he could see me earlier. We got there and there were two giant locks on the door. So we thought maybe he is out to lunch still. So we walked about the park. Xela is gorgeous! Super different from HueHue. But I love my HueHue. Anyways we went back to the dentist and they were still closed. So we sat down in front of it and my companion saw someone working in the parking lot and she decided to ask him what’s up. He said the dentist is closed until Monday. Ooooh great! So I called the nurse to let her know and she decided to call the dentist. And she called me back and said oh they are closed. Oh really…you don’t say…it’s not like I’m in front of the office or anything looking at the door with 2 giant locks on it. She is a gringa and I don’t think she understood exactly when the appointment was. So we went to the terminal where all the buses are at and started our journey home. And guess who was there waiting for us? Yep, you got it, the same bus driver and his gang. And they were like…oh you’re back! Join our bus. But there was no way in the world we were going to go through that again. There is a bus we usually take on the way back that more comfortable than the others and it stops off exactly in front of our house. But the crazy bus driver talked to me and told me that his son thinks that I am cute…blah blah blah. And the guy that blew me a kiss and was super excited to see me too and they tried to convince us to change buses. There were two other sisters who joined the bus too. And if for anything we went to Xela for them. Because they didn’t have any money and there aren’t buses that time of night that go to their area so we helped them with a taxi.

Also on the bus there was a lady with her two kids and there weren’t any seats left so I gave her mine. So I was standing up in the bus and I’m just a giant person for this country. And I couldn’t stand up straight, but there was an emergency exit on the roof that I could put my head in. That was nice. But hey at least we have some Xela pan now. hahaha 

But get this I got the black thing out of my tooth yesterday with NO problem. You better believe I taped it in my journal. haha 

That’s about all I have to report this week. Well…the highlights anyways. We went zip lining today which was so fun! Pictures to follow 

Love and miss you guys hope you are having a great week. Thanks for the love and support. 

Remember God shows us our weaknesses and miracles always follow after. 

Love you all 

Hna Anderson 

We went to Scotland today!

So this p-day was pretty sweet. We had an activity with the hna's and we went up a mountain which has two abandoned houses and the most gorgeous view of all of huehue. It was so pretty! It was colder up in the mountains so it felt like Scotland and looked like Scotland with the green hills and the sheep. It was awesome. We were allowed to wear pants today and I felt super faaaaaaaaaaaat. Missing my skirt for the air and for the fact it hides my fat. Anyways enough of that. But yeah, today was super awesome. And afterwards we went to a Mexican restaurant which was super delish. But let me tell ya the bus ride up was horrible. I felt like I was going to puke and die.  My legs were smashed against the back of the seat. Sorry ranting about random stuff. 

On Tuesday for district meeting the AP´s came to talk to us about talking to 10 people every day. The new AP is so AWESOME  - future apostle right here! Seriously!! He gave an awesome talk. It was what I needed. Then after the AP’s finished the stake president (who lives in our ward) came and talked to us. It was what we call a machete. But it was a smooth and a much needed machete. He talked about the difference of casualidad and causalidad. Which is chance and reason (I think reason I don’t know the translation of the other word in English) but he talked about how this is a great reason and a purpose why we are here. There is no chance in the plan of God. It was so awesome. And he also told us that he if doesn’t think the missionaries are good. Like disobedient and other stuff. He calls our president of the mission and asks him to kick them out of the area if they are being lazy, which is a little intimidating. But he is such an awesome guy and doesn’t mess around when it comes to the work of the Lord.

I had the weirdest lesson of my life! There is a guy we are teaching named Leonel. Not the Leonel from the familia de Leon another Leonel. He lived in Missouri and he told us that he tried to kill himself 7 times and was in the prison for drugs and all sorts of stuff. But when he was in prison he found God. And now he is an evangelist. Love the evangelist’s, great people but a little crazy.  Anyways he knows the bible inside and out let me tell ya. And he looooooooooooves to talk. Anyways we taught him about the BOM. And one day we were trying to teach him the restoration. We were in the middle of the grand apostasy and he was going to ask Hna Lopez a question and asked "Hna Lopez.... wait why can’t I know your first name?" then we explained why. Then we were all, I understand and blah blah blah then he said, “oh do you guys have songs in your church?”   And we said yes. Then he asked, “will you sing me one?”  So we sang Teach me to Walk in the Light. Then he said, “Oh I want to sing you a song”. Then he sang for us it was super interesting. Then he told us there was something in his heart he wanted to tell us and he started praying really loudly and crying. Really weird. Really random. But he went to church on Sunday. Just for sacrament cause after he left to teach the people in prison. But yeah we will see how things go with him... 

The best lesson we had this week was with Sandra. A member of the familia de Leon. We have a goal of baptism for her this Saturday. Her thing is she wants to get baptized after she finishes school. But she had a very powerful dream and KNOWS that this church is true after that dream. The thing is, she just doesn’t feel prepared. But we talked to her and explained so much and how much the church with bless her family.  We talked about temples and also how Satan attacks us when we are trying to the right thing. It was awesome and I hope tonight or tomorrow this date with be a sure thing as well with her brother. They are so awesome and just so unbelievably intelligent and SO READY for this gospel it was amazing. 

The language is coming along every day and gets better.  I can’t believe I’m about to complete my 5 months in the mission and I can’t believe it’s so close to Nov! I’m excited for the 31st here. They don’t have tricking o treating. And in Huehue they only have a serenada. Where the men sing to their girlfriends. There is just a ton of music and everything. The members say it’s an awesome night. So I hope we will be able to see part of it. 

I love my mission so much. It’s such a wild experience. It can be so hard and so stressful but it’s so amazing! I love all these amazing people I get to meet. And I can’t believe if I never decided to go on my mission I never would have met these people. They are incredible! I have made so many amazing friends here and have learned a TON! And still have a lot to learn. I love this gospel and I love my Savior. It’s so incredible that he knows every single one of these people and he wants them to follow him. And I have the opportunity to help Him in this work. It’s awesome. It’s hard but it’s awesome. I love you all and miss you soooo much! Thanks for all the love and support. 

Lots of love from crazy huehue,

Hna Anderson   (See Pictures new pictures on blog picture page)
http://hermanalindsie.blogspot.com/p/lindsies-mission-photos.html

p.s. pretty sure my body is craving daylight savings time. I’m so stinking tired this week it’s ridiculous. So when you have the extra hour of sleep enjoy it for me. haha