I Wanna Know Who´ll Stop the Rain!!!

Rain Rain Go Away…come back another year. Let me tell ya it’s been pouring buckets here. You guys don’t even know what rain is. Basically everyday here has been super rainy. Expect Saturday. Saturday was gorgeous!!!! But the streets turn into rivers and waterfalls. I’m so grateful for rain boots. 

Well everything is all good with my companion and we have been working so hard.  We come back home absolutely exhausted! The first few days this week we didn’t have any success. We went to every single investigator and nobody was home. But we kept our hope up and kept working hard and the success came. 

On Friday we had a reunion of the sisters. And it was probably the last time we will see our president. He goes home around this time next month. So he decided to share what he usually shares in exit interviews. And he told us when we get back home to not wait for a guy to come along. Make something of yourself and take action. He used the example of his two daughters and I guess he has one who is a little socially awkward and never puts makeup on or anything. So he told us to look pretty as well. It was so weird and he is soooo trunky and so ready to go home. But it was good to at least see him one last time. I’ve heard our new president is a very strict man, so we are going to see a lot a lot of changes when he comes. So the meeting took a while.  Afterwards we made a cake for the daughter of Yeni. She turned six and we celebrated a little. Afterwards we went with Nancy, one of our investigators. She is sooooo ready and so prepared and knows so much and loves our church and wants to get baptized. But she told us there is something going on something that’s in her heart that only god and her know that’s holding her back from being baptized. Ay it’s so hard because she is so so so so so so ready!!!!! But we will see what happens.

Saturday was a gorgeous day! The sun was out and it just rocked all around. We went to part of our area that’s called Panima. There are so many ppl to teach there. We have contacted so many ppl in the street who want to learn more. We also hiked the whole mountain. I’m not joking we literally hiked a mountain to go visit a less active. And where he lives there are a ton of dogs and crazy ones. So we got up there and guess what happened? The less active member wasn’t there. But on the way up I contacted a guy and he was like yeah I want to go to your church and learn more about Jesus. It was crazy awesome.  Also in Panima we contacted a carpenter (I totally had to look that word up in Spanish to know what it is in English hahaha). And he is so ready. It’s just kind of hard to teach him where he works because his boss will get mad if he takes a break to talk to us. But he doesn’t understand why there are so many churches if there is only one god. So we explained the restoration but he didn’t really get the Joseph Smith part so we will have to cover that again. 

Because my companion is in training we have 2 hours of companion study and we have to watch the district 1 and 2 (videos of missionary life in San Diego) . And district one isn’t real life at all. So that has become our joke. Like if this was the district one this wouldn’t be happening and here are a few explains of that. The other day we went to visit Yeni and there she was giving her kids a bath. And one of them was standing on a giant plastic pot and she has to warm her water on firewood. Also on Sunday we went to get her for church and we called a tuk tuk (taxi) and I was freaking out about getting there on time and there was her little son sitting on his little toilet in the middle of the room straining to go poo faster so we could go to church. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Also on Sunday we had to give the lesson and it was on tithing. I had the first half and my companion the second half. But they didn’t tell us that someone else has the lesson so I was trying to take half of the time so my companion could talk the other half but she didn’t even get to talk because they didn’t tell us that. I felt bad but it all worked out fine. Also we received good news that we won’t be eating at the house that had the maggot filled pot! I’m kind of happy about that, I’m not going to lie. 

But yesterday rocked as well. We started teaching a friend of a member and after crossing many rivers of water we got to the members house with her and we taught her the gospel of Christ. We invited her to be baptized and she said yes. So hopefully everything works out there. Also we went with Chris and his family. Last Sunday we ran into his drunk dad and this Sunday he is so sick from all the drinking and if he doesn’t stop he will probably die. So we had a really spiritual lesson with him and his family and the elders came and gave him a blessing. I have seen so many lives here destroyed by drinking. I despise drinking!!! But I know it’s possible that Brother Puac can overcome his drinking. I know one thing is true everything is possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. He suffered all things that we may be strong through him and overcome our weaknesses. It’s just if we are willing to do it or not! I know this is the true church and there is no other. I know that Jesus is waiting to help us with open arms if we are willing to accept him. 

But that’s my week folks. Hope all is well with you guys! Miss you all and thanks for all your love and support! 

See latest pictures at:  http://hermanalindsie.blogspot.com/p/totonicapan.html

Con Cariño,

Hna Anderson 

I’m 21 years old

What? I feel so old. I can’t believe I’m 21. But my birthday rocked! Thanks for all the birthday wishes! It was so great to share my birthday with the ppl here. There is an elder here that has his birthday on the same day as mine and an elder that had his birthday on Wednesday, so we decided to make a cake for the zone meeting. But a part of it broke and it was ugly so I got mad and bought a cake. So we celebrated as a zone on Tuesday. But on my birthday I brought the cake I made to lunch and it was really delish.  Side note: But now I can’t make cakes as easily because I had a tiny blender and my companion melted it on accident. But after lunch we went and visited Yeni and all her kids gave me birthday hugs and kisses. Afterwards we went to make a cake with a member because her husband’s birthday is the same day as mine but he went out drinking so he wasn’t there. So we celebrated with his wife and his son who is an investigator. It was fun. They are great. This week was family week. So we went down to the church for the activity that was there and after the two young men that go and visit with us threw me a tiny surprise party. It was adorable they are so great. 

But like I was saying this week was family week which we all thought was going to be great to get new families to teach but nobody invited anyone!! The only investigators that were there were the ones we invited and we needed to be there every night. It took up 6:30 – 9:00 every night which was hard because that’s the best teaching time. But Saturday was awesome because it was cultural night and they dance in their typical outfits here in Guatemala. We had to sing which stunk. But it was so cool to see all the dances and stuff. 

On Wednesday we eat with an old lady and it isn’t the cleanest place but it isn’t too horrible. I’ve only eaten there twice. But she always saves the dishes for us to wash and saves all her dishes from the whole week and there was a pot with fly eggs in it and I washed it. I can’t believe it. The mission has changed me in many ways and one of those ways is bugs don’t freak me out anymore... well the really big ones do. hahaha. 

We have an investigator named Edwin. He works at an art supply store. He is the nicest little guy. And is so lonely. I met him when I was with Castillo but we didn’t teach him much. I had a feeling we needed to visit him. We taught him and the spirit was so strong. We invited him to be baptized if he knows the message is true and he said yes and he is willing to pray and to know if it is. His date is for the 14th of June. I hope everything works out with him. He is great

Well my companion had her first drunk person experience. Remember how I wrote that the member that has the same birthday as me. Well he had been drinking and we ran into him when he was kind of drunk.  We tried to get him back home but he wouldn’t go with us. But while we were talking to him two other drunks showed up. One started to talk to me in English and when we left from there he started following us. And this drunk guy was fast so we started running and so did he. But it was totally a walking dead experience. He totally looked like a zombie. We were running up a hill and I don’t know what happened but all the energy left from me and I couldn’t run anymore. And my companion was like please run Hermana please! So I ran the best I could and we entered a store and shut and locked the door. The lady that was working there just looked at us like what they heck? Then we explained what happened. The drunk dude left and so did we. It was actually really funny like 10 minutes after we were laughing our heads off about it. 

Well everything is good here in little Toto. We are working and trying every day to find those that are ready for the gospel. I love this gospel and I know it’s true. But I know living the gospel and life can be hard. But it never was meant to be easy. If it was supposed to be easy Jesus never would have had to suffer what he suffered. He is the only way we can return to our Heavenly Father. I know that is true. The spirit bears witness to me every day that it’s only through our savior that we can move forward and keep on trying. 

That’s all folks. Thanks for all your support talk to you all next week! 

Hna Anderson 

Well hello there

So I feel like I don’t have a ton to write since I talked to you guys on Sunday. But here goes the week. On Wednesday we had a reunion of the new ppl and we went down to Xela. Well my companion doesn’t have anything to wear for the rain so we went and got her some rain boats and more sweaters and a rain jacket which was so good because holy cow there was a TON OF RAIN. The rain was up to our ankles and the streets were rivers. And because it’s mountainee here everything goes downward. Speaking of rain it’s raining a lot here as we speak. But that’s how it will be from May until October. I’m so excited - not.... 

Also side note about the meeting of the new ppl, we ate bagels and cream cheese. I forgot bagels existed and it was delish. 

The other day we decided to go visit an old investigator. We took the bus, but for some weird reason (well - clearly it was an impression of the spirit) I decided to get off the bus early and we ran into a member who showed us a ton of new investigators. It rocked. As well she is going to go visit with us so we can get to know the area better and get to know where the members live which I’m so grateful for. 

We went to see Emily who had a baptism date. But both dates fell through so we went to see what’s going on. She doesn’t want anything to do with us anymore. She has been lying to us a lot. And the thing is she was trying to deny her dream she had where somebody who looked like a temple worker. And that the Hermana’s didn’t come into her life by accident. That she needs to get baptized but she needs to learn a little bit more. Well she totally tried to deny that dream, which I totally got mad at her for that. And she told us a bunch of lies that the Virgin Mary healed her and all that jazz. I was so frustrated and felt so deceived by her. But this week we had a lesson with Nancy who is an old investigator and she wants to get baptized but her mom is every catholic and doesn’t want her too. But hopefully she will get baptized this month…the spirit was sooooooooo strong and so amazing and she knows so much.. 

We also went to go see Yeni who can’t get baptized because she isn’t married. But she really really wants to. So we are praying for a miracle. Her husband won’t be able to come to Toto for like 5 to 7 months from now and we got permission to baptize her if it’s for sure her husband isn’t coming back for that long and then when he comes home she needs to get married. But that just scares me a little bit because what happens if she doesn’t get married. But I’m praying praying for a miracle. 

Also we are working with Chris. All of his family got baptized but him. And he is dying for his answer. And as soon as he gets his answer he will get baptized. But he has been waiting for years. I just don’t know what to do. But I’ve been thinking we need to get him out of his house and have a super spiritual lesson with another member. That is what happened with Noe. So hopefully that will work. It’s weird how things are: Emily received a dream saying the church is true and she doesn’t want to accept it when another has been waiting forever to get his answer and all he wants is his answer so he can accept the church in his life. 

But that’s about all I can think of. It was so great talking to you guys. Miss and love you. As always thanks so much for all the support. Have a wonderful week 

Hna Anderson  

It’s a Mexicana!!!!

So here on the mission if you train your companion she is your daughter. Got my daughter on Wednesday and she is from Mexico. She is 19 years old and she is a convert of almost three years. Her whole family got baptized which is awesome. Her Spanish is weird cause I’m so used to how ppl from Guatemala talk and the ppl from Mexico speak differently…like use different terms. The great think she wants to work and isn’t prideful so far. 

But let me tell you about the transfer Hna Castillo had. We got to the terminal in Xela and the AP’s came and found her and guess what happened? She got sent back to Toto, but in a different area. We couldn’t believe it!!!!! So she brought all her stuff down to Xela to return back to Toto. So crazy, but I’m so happy she is so close. I miss her a lot and it’s so great to see her every week. But she is in a trio. So who knows what will happen. 

But after she left with her new companions I was there in Xela and I wanted to go visit the Esperanza but the sister that wanted to go with me left with other sisters without telling me so I got stuck with the other sisters that are going to train. We went to eat. Then we divided up a little bit and I went with two sisters a little bit more mature and we went and bought typical stuff. So basically it was p-day without writing. Then we showed up to the meeting. I was sitting in the back and there were two girls with curly hair and I knew one of them was going to be my companion and I was right…one of them was. But I was soooooooooooo nervous during the meeting. I was almost hoping president would be like…we decided Hna Anderson that we don’t need you to train anymore. But it all turned out well. She is great. But it’s really tiring being a trainer because everything feels like it’s on your shoulders and if things go wrong you feel guilty about it. But so far so good. 

On Tuesday we had a conference with Elder Clark. He is from the 70’s. Probably one of the best conferences of my life…if not the best. He can speak Spanish. So he had a head set on and walked around while he talked. The spirit was so incredibly strong!!!!! There was one point where he asked all those who were inactive at one time to stand up and only a hand full stood up and then asked who helped them go back to church?  Not many said the missionaries and he told us we need to help and work with the less actives. Afterwards he asked us who has a family or friend who is less active. and EVERYONE stood up. I could feel the sadness of everyone there and about everyone was crying. He really motivated me to work harder. Words can’t describe how AMAZING this conference was. I wish the whole world could’ve listened to the conference. He told us that if we have a companion that doesn’t work and doesn’t want to work to ask for changes. Which is awesome. And he told us that your companions don’t have the right or the power to ruin your mission. And it’s so true!!! And that could’ve happened to me if I let one of my companions be disobedient. And it’s so true in real life. Nobody has the right or the power to destroy your life and your happiness. And we should never allow others to do that. But I’m so pumped to work harder!

Since I don’t have a lot of time here and I didn’t get to know the area that well with Hna Castillo there are two youth that are helping us get to know the area better. But they didn’t explain to me very well who they wanted us to go visit. I thought they wanted to go visit a less active member that I didn’t know. So we walked through the WHOLE mountain and ended up at a member’s house who gives us lunch every Friday. It took so long to walk there when we could’ve been there in 15 mins or less. It was so ridiculous but I got to know the area a little bit better. 

Today we got to go zip lining which was awesome. The only times I have ever done zip lining has been here in Guatemala. My third time doing it. But my daughter, her name is Hna Yirarte. It’s like got to hang out with her companion from the CCM because we are in the same zone. And I got to hang out with Hna Castillo a little bit. It was really a fun activity. 

Also May is rainy season. It has been raining a lot and I guess May is the start of winter and winter is like for eight months of the year. Summer doesn’t start until October and Toto is the coldest part of Guatemala. So it’s been pretty cold. But thankfully we had a pretty day yesterday and today. Hopefully it won’t rain on my birthday! 

Also on Sunday we stopped by the members that have 11 kids and they all look like gringos and some have red hair. And they have a daughter on the mission and three more are leaving this week and the next. And they wanted us to get to know their daughter a little bit. So we talked to her for like two seconds on Skype and it was awesome and made me really excited for Sunday!! I can’t believe it’s mother’s day and that I will be turning 21 on the 16th and that this month and it is my year mark and the end of May! It’s so crazy how fast time goes by! But I love you all and hope you all have a great week! 

Love, 

Hna Anderson 

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