So my first week here was incredible! They literally threw us into the language the day after we got here. The guys that have been here for three weeks said that theyre pushing us harder than they pushed them which is pretty crazy to me. I can kind of understand the language now but I have a harder time speaking it still. I know that the lord will help me with it though. Ive really come to rely on him since Ive been here becuase he is the central part of my life now.
So a couple days after we got here we had a meeting with the ccm (mtc) nurse here and one of the things she told us to do was drink lots of water. So I took it heart. Because theres no stinking way im gonna get heatstroke or something. So throughout the day I was drinking water. What I didnt realize was that by doing that I was setting myself up to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. I went pee like 30 times that day. Suffice it to say, my companion was not very happy with me. He had to go with me everytime ;)
My companions name is Elder West and he's from vermont. He always says he's from new york because he doesnt think anyone knows where vermont is. My companion is a little annoying. He leaves me all the time to go with other elders and I always have to find him. He has good moments when were in class where he will have something good to say, but usually he says dumb stuff and is super loud. I love my companion and Im definitely working on my patience with him.
So 3 days in, I believe, I got called to be a district leader. I about flipped out. I was like, ¨"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?? i NO SPEAKY SPANISH!!!" It was ok though. Last night we had our first district meeting and it was super awesome. It turned out to be very spiritual and there were a lot of good comments. I honestly think we got the best group that has been out here in awhile. The guys that have been out here break so many rules its not even funny. A lot of them are cool and ive been becoming pretty close to some of them. They're a good group of kids but they need to realize why they are here. Theyre on a mission for our savior and that is not something we should take so lightly while we are here.
Saturday and Sunday were absolutely incredible. Saturday night I was talking with some guys in my district. Their names are Elder Kraus (from richland!!!), Elder Sorenssen (Funniest guy ever), Elder Somerville, Elder Lucas, and Elder Jones. So heres the story. We were talking (forgot what about) and I turned and saw Elder Somervilles tshirt. It was maroon with a pig on it and it said bacon a whole bunch on it. Keep in mind that Ive never seen this shirt before, I said " hey I like your shirt, ive seen that before!!" But i realized afterwards i hadnt. So after talking for a couple more minutes I stand up and stand behind a chair because im about to leave. I moved a fraction of an inch and this over powering sensation like deja vu and the spirit hit me like a truck. I had seen this moment before. I knew these guys before my mission. I said " guys hold on, Ive seen this moment before." They thought I was crazy, they were like what are you talking about? I said I know you guys, remember at the airport when I came up to you guys and asked you if i knew you? They were like yeah. They had felt the same way I did at the time, like they knew who I was and who each other were. The spirit in the room felt so strong. I had never felt it so strongly in my life that I knew them and that I was here for a reason. This group of guys is awesome. Elder Kraus is probably my favorite guys here. He said he was going to right that down in his journal because he felt so strongly about it as well.
Sunday was very similar to saturday night. The spirit was so very strong. I loved every moment of sunday. We heard some talks from Elder Holland and they were so beautiful. He really is an inspired man and he is so good at teaching lessons. Sundays they pick randomely from the districts on who will talk in sacrament meeting. So I was stressed for the first half of my sunday. It was so freaky because I didnt prepare one. I was praying so hard not to get picked. Guess what.. I didnt!! ;) haha I was so happy!! Later that day we had to give some lessons in our district classes. A little five minute one. Me and Elder West went the longest. We didnt have any structure to our lesson whatsoever, what we felt inspired to do though was share our conversion stories. Elder West shared his and it was pretty good. I shared mine and at the end was pretty much crying my eyes out. It took me some time to tell them my story and share my testimony. One of the things some of them liked though was that I left space in between when I was talking and trying not to cry. They said that it really brought the spirit into the room becuase silence invites it in. I thought that was an awesome thought, it didnt occur to me that silence might be key sometimes in inviting the spirit so strongly. After wards throughout the day I had Elders and Hermanas come up to me and tell me how much my story and testimony meant to them. One hermana didnt come to it becuase she had to help another hermana in another district teach a lesson but afterwards she had heard about my story and testimony and she was like, dang it! I missed it! I told her I could tell it again but Id probs start crying again hahaha. So Hermana Sayer said she would tell her haha.
A few more things before I get off. The food is awesome. This place is beautiful. And I already love the people. I know this gospel is true. I know that I am here for a reason, that reason being to bring the people of Guatemala the Gospel. They need it, they are so nice and I know they will accept this gospel.
I love all of you! Especially my fam ;)
Elder Whelan
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