He's Alive!!! My Testimony

Hola mi familia y amigos!

Not too much to write about today! I'm sorry! But I will write about the drunk people here, whom we see everyday. I've gotten a couple "catcalls" (or whatever you call those). I've also had a couple of them ask for money and flip me off. They're really nice people, I am sure, but I believe the alcohol gets to them. haha. We had an experience this week with another one. A drunk man was sitting in the middle of the street as we were walking by and cars were driving around him. I suggested to my comp that we go and help him. So we went and helped him to the other side of the road. We got there and he told us that God would bless us so much for helping him. I had the impression that we should put him in a different spot so that he wouldn't fall, because he was kind of on a hill. Sadly, I did not take heed to that prompting. We said goodbye to him and left. Were halfway across the street and then we hear a sound like a bowling ball hitting the floor. We look back and the old, drunk guy had fallen down and hit his head super hard on the pavement. My comp looked at him and said, "Oh my goodness you idiot!!" And I didn't know I said this but I was like, "oh my gosh is he dead???" So we go back and carry him to shade and went back to work. He was still alive, thank goodness. We saw him later that day. He's alive! That just goes to show that we must always take heed to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. 

I have a testimony of the Holy Ghost. We may not feel that he is there all the time, but I know for a fact that he is. We must be worthy to have the presence of the Holy Ghost if we are going to get help from him and if we are going to get promptings from him. I also have a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that he was prepared even before he had the question of which church was true. He and his family endured so many challenges and heartaches in order to be ready to receive the restored gospel. Research the history of Joseph Smith and I know that your testimonies will be strengthened further because of the things he endured. I leave these words with you in the name of my brother, and friend, Jesus Christ, Amen.

I will send pics next week!!

1st Baptism, Lots of Pizza, and a Bloody Lip

¡¡Hola mi familia y amigos!! 

So this week was pretty crazy. I've only been in the field for about 3, almost 4 weeks and had so many experiences!! I got to baptize a boy named Antony who is 17! He is one of the lost sheep that we were able to bring into the light of the Gospel. The sun shone a bit brighter that day, and it was an amazing experience to have been able to do that. I really do have a testimony of this gospel. It brings so much joy to so many people and I love it so much! 

This week we had divisions. I got to go with an Elder named Elder Rider and we had a pretty fun day! We went to a place called Carmen to lock the doors for some elders and it was beautiful there. After that we went home because that trip took forever. We bought pizza and walked down to the house and guess what.. The door was locked and we didn't have the keys to get in.. And I had to go to the bathroom so bad. So we tried everything we could to get in and we couldn't. So I ended up going pee in a corner hoping that nobody would see me. We walked around with pizza for most of the night and we went to the assistant's house to get the keys because they were left there. We left the assistants house and went back home. We got home at around 11:30 and went to bed at around 12. It was super fun haha.

About 3 days ago we went to the zone leaders' house after a super long day of work and we slept over there. We talked for a long time, ate pizza again, and then we were heading to bed. I was in bed and my comp started messing with me. That turned into a huge wrestling match in which I was winning pretty much the whole time because I was throwing him around a ton and because I am way bigger than my companion haha. But then he somehow got control of me and got me in a lock. I broke the lock and then I tried again, and he accidentally punched me in the face. Instantly, I tasted blood and my comp thought he won because I stopped. I told him I was bleeding and when he saw my face he was like, OH MY GOSH go look in the mirror. My bottom lip was black haha. It was hilarious. So this whole week I have been making him feel bad about it. Its so funny but I was totally unfazed by it. haha so that was my week! many spiritual opportunities! I love it here!

 I'll end with my testimony that I know this church is true. I see the blessings it brings to people and their families and I also see them in my life right now. One thing that I have learned here is to teach by the spirit because there is no denying the spirit. The spirit will always testify of truthfulness and it is a tremendous tool in teaching people. Always remember to be worthy of the spirit because that is your greatest tool. Your greatest companion besides the Lord and our Father. He will always protect and testify. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Love Elder Whelan

Find the Lost Sheep

Hola mi familia y amigos!!!

I have a few experiences but I only have time to focus on a couple. One of them was a huge miracle and blessing to us. We were walking in the street on our way to a members house when we hear a whistle behind us (everyone whistles down here, to get the attention of someone or to say hello). We turn around and this girl (14 years old) asks to talk to us. She says "My mom and I would like to go to your church and to listen to you guys." We say ok, church is at 9 and then we get her address and her phone number and we leave. That whole time I was like what the heck? Did someone just contact us instead of the other way around? We saw her at church and we have yet to find her again. We looked for her house last night but we couldn't find it. hopefully we have luck soon because she and her mom are part of the "lost sheep." I want everyone to read Luke 15 because somewhere in there it says to find the Lord's lost sheep. We find those that will receive us and this girl and her mom are going to receive us. It was amazing!! 

Some old guys were being poops last week, but it was ok because I didn't know most of what they were saying. ;) Just stuff that wasn't true. And, so you know, red zone means dangerous zone. It's not that dangerous but there are a couple places we are not allowed in.

I would love to write everyone as much as I want, but I don't have time. I miss all of you guys but I'm happy and content here,  because I now Heavenly Father will take care of all of you.

There are a bunch of questions that I will answer next week! I didn't have time to write a lot or send pics!! Sorry!! Love you all! 

A knife fight (sort of), two broken ankles (sort of), and we ruined basketball

Hey everyone!! 

So I put a lot of pictures here and hopefully you can see them. Something weird is happening with the computer. Anyway I wish I would have taken more píctures during the week. The city Im in is pretty dirty but I love the people here. They're humble and most of them are kind. The member and the converts here are super cool. Any time were at their house they ask if were hungry and they don't ever hesitate to give you as much food as possible. Another reason why often times Ive left a meal feeling so sick. I eat so much and don't want to offend the people here. I don't really know what to write today! Ill go with some experiences Ive had so far.

The second or third day we were here we went to some converts house. I'll make this short. So we got into the house. The mom of 5 or 6 kids was talking a ton and then the husband came out of the bathroom and started talking to us. I didn't know what was going on but it looked like a pretty heated convo. After we left their house I asked my comp what happened and he said that the mom thought her husband cheated on her and she started slashing him with a knife. I had noticed that he was cut but I didn't know why. It was pretty insane because we got to their house 2 minutes after it happened. God works in amazing ways and I think it was because we got there at that moment that everything stopped. Elder Osorio talked to them and really helped them a lot. They're back on good terms! They're really cool people but my first impression was Holy Cow Guatemalans are insane...

Second experience.. My comp and I ruined basketball for our whole mission... How you might ask? Well me and my comp are both pretty athletic guys so they split us up. My team won like 10 games in a row and my comp was trying to block me. I got a rebound and Im not sure what happened but I hit him somehow and made him sprain his ankle pretty bad. So he left the gym and I kept playing. 5 mins later I run and jump for a rebound, I grab it and I land super wrong and totally sprained my ankle as well! It hurt so bad! So when we got home we got a call from president. He says "Hey Elder Osorio hows your ankle?" "Its good president!" "How's your companion's?" "Good as well!" "Thats good to hear, well we're not allowing basketball in the mission anymore. We love you guys! Bye!"

WHAT?!?!? 

I was so mad. Apparently our zone leader told him and thats why we cant play anymore.. Im bugged because I was finally able to dunk yesterday!!! Anyway, me and my comp are all good. We were walking the streets last night looking like we were drunk but it was totally fine! 

Anyway, sorry I don't have time to write more for all of you! Theres still more! 

I love my mission and I love the people here. Even the ones that are poops sometimes. I know that they are children of God and that is sufficient enough for me to love them as well. Talk to you next week!!

Love Elder Whelan

P.S. For district Pedro, I saw Hermano Bajan today!!!!!!!!! And Hermano Garcia! He cracked a ton of jokes and it was super weird!

Letter and photo from Guatemala MTC

Dear Parents of Missionaries:

For the past six weeks it has been a joy and pleasure for me to work with you missionary sons and daughters at the Guatemala MTC.  My wife and I are serving a mission assigned to the Area Administration office for Central America here in Guatemala City.  During the week we assist the area presidency, but on Sundays and Thursday evenings we have the assignment to serve at the MTC.  I am in the branch presidency of Branch B and my wife and I each have an assigned district to work with each Sunday.  

The missionaries in the Pedro District has been wonderful to work with.  It has been amazing to see their growth in learning the Spanish language, applying the principles of Preach My Gospel into their daily lives, and becoming a mighty missionary work force.  It is always sad to see them go.  We grow to love them so much.  Thank you for sending such wonderful young men and women into the mission field.

Attached is a photo of the Pedro District taken last Sunday.  We will always remember them.

Sincere love and appreciation,

Elder Craig A. Hill

Very sad goodbyes, out in the field

Hey everyone!

So this email won't be super long because I forgot to bring my journal with me! But it has a lot to do with the past 3 or 4 days. I´m not totally sure what to talk, so I´ll just start out with a message to my fellow missionaries by saying that I already miss all of you guys from District Pedro. It was a good six weeks and I will cherish all of the memories we made together there. So....we woke up early and were all ready to go and Elder Darling was already on the bus leaving. I had just gotten downstairs and Hermana Brand says, "Did you say goodbye to your brother?" I said no and she said that he was leaving right at that moment. So I ran outside and stopped the bus. I was lucky because the bus had just started moving. I jumped on the bus and went and hugged the punk. I couldn't help myself from crying because I wouldn't see one of my best friends for 2 years. So I want to apologize to all the people going to Reu for being a cry baby. hahaha. You got to see that part of me so remember it ;) All that being said, I know everyone is going to do amazing things out in the field! Can´t wait to see all of you again in two years! I´m not sure if I got to share this with all of you but In Alma 26:27 it says "Not when their hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us and said: Go amongst thy brethren the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine affliction, and I will give unto success." I wanted all of you to know that when your hearts are depressed and it doesn't seem like you can do anything more to help people in your area or if you feel terrible about being rejected all the time, do not turn back. And if you do turn back keep a prayer in your heart to our Heavenly Father and he will give you comfort. Bear with patience your afflictions and our Lord will give unto you success. Our Father is always here for you and we all need to remember that. I hope you all made it to your missions safely! Now.....that scripture was not just for the missionaries in my district. It's for everyone reading this email. You just need to apply it to your lives right now and see what you can apply it to. 

So I´m out in the field! My new companion's name is Elder Osorio. He´s a really nice guy and I've learned a lot from him already. he showed me around our area and I got to meet a lot of the members here. They're all super nice people here. We were talking to a family and the Mom said something about making food for us. She listed off a bunch of things I´ve never had, like rat and turtle. I think she's going to prepare turtle for us! Looking forward to it! But just from being out here I already the love the people! We taught a couple investigators and members yesterday. A lot of them said that my spanish was good and that my pronunciation was good as well so that was a huge confidence booster for me! So the first thing my comp tells me as were walking to a members house is to always smile and say hello to everyone because our area is the red zone. Meaning sketchy as crap zone. I said okay and we went on our way. Its not that scary out here I actually really enjoy it. All throughout the day my comp kept asking me, "You doing okay?" " Are you having any culture shock or are you feeling overwhelmed?" I said no every time and I think that he thinks I'm a little weird now because of it. He was like huh ok. I honestly feel super comfortable being here even though there might be gangs around and its sketchy. Its great here! 

Short funny story. So our last day in the CCM (Monday) we were doing contacting with the Latinos in the CCM. We all had professions and what not and the setting was in the park. Hermano Bajan gave me dancing for my profession. So we go out on the basketball courts and the latinos start to contact us while were doing our professions. I wasn't sure what to do for dancing so I just started prancing around like I was doing ballet. I didn't know but the whole time I was doing this the Latina sisters were sitting on a bench watching me and laughing at me. Then I went over to a pole and started dancing around it and was like, Hermano Bajan look! He was cracking up and then I look behind him and see all the sisters pointing at me and laughing... I couldn't help but start laughing as well. It was just too good haha. Anyway it was super funny. 

I want to end by saying that I know this church is true. I'm out in the field and I already know how much this gospel will help the people here. I love it and I love that I have this opportunity to help people here. I say these things en el nombre de Jesucristo Amen. 

I'll send pics next week. I didn't bring my camera! Sorry!