It's Almost Christmas!

Well the title isn't totally true but it certainly feels like it hahaha. Anyway things are going good here in Hunapu, Escuintla! We're finding a ton of people to teach. The only difference is if they'll get baptized or not haha. Hopefully yes but sometimes they choose not to.

Anyway, I had divisions with one of my Zone leaders this week, his name is Elder Davis. I am a firm believer that there are miracles in divisions. We were following up on a reference that a member gave to us and we found this super awesome family. They were all receptive and willing to read the pamphlets we gave them. Sadly they didn't come to church but were hoping they will this Sunday coming up. Im super excited to see their progress and what happens with them. They are La familia Lobo which means The Wolf family. That's so cool!!!!!!! 

We also found another family that was super positive. The woman's name is Maria and I forgot the husbands name haha. Oops! Anyway they have a 1 year old son. She is super positive but it'll take a little more with the husband.

We're finding a lot of success here, I just hope these people really feel that they should join the church. The month of December is an amazing month to meet new people and invite them to learn more about what we believe.

This month were starting the light the world campaign which I love so much. It makes me realize how inspired this church and the members in this church really are. Please if you haven't already, share the videos of the campaign! It'll make the difference in someone's life, I promise.

I love you guys and wish you all the best!!!

Elder Whelan

PS: I bought new shoes! I actually found a pair big enough! They were only 100 Q ($13.62) which is super cheap. I got called a 'grandpa' for wearing them but it's all good. 

BAPTISMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMSSSSSSSS!!

Hey whats up everyone!?!?!?

So this week we had another baptism!!! It was the baptism of Hardy Vega. He was supposed to get baptized last week but he ending up not being able to so we baptized him this sunday!!!!! I love baptizing so much! It gives me so much satisfaction because of the progress a person makes in getting baptized! Its the first step into the kingdom of God and one of the most important! Now were working harder to find more people to baptize!!

I don't have too much to write today but I hope that the pictures will make up for my email. You know what they say about pics ;) a picture is worth a thousand words! So I win!! hahaha

Have a happy thanksgiving!!!! I love you guys!!!!

Elder Whelan

Pics of Antigua!!!!!! Toys, my shoes, baptism​

People Fall, But That's What the Atonement is For

​HEY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey so this week we had successes and failures. Like everyone right? Haha our successes were contacting a ton of people and talking to people. Our failure.. was not having a baptism this last sunday... Our investigator got scared and didn't want to get baptized. But this sunday for sure he will. I know it and I can feel it. His name is Hardy Vega and he loves to play soccer. He's 14 years old and all I can think about is, he's a future missionary. Before I never really thought about things like that. But the reality of it is that every missionary that is out is making a difference. Future missionaries who are all going to go out on missions and change the lives of others. I love that thought! I honestly never thought I would get to this point, being a missionary that is. I thought that is was so far away, but now I'm here haha.

Anyway, my title. I'm not sure why I chose that title but it seemed important and like it would help someone. Everyday of our lives we fall, into temptation, anger, or some kind of sin. Sometimes we feel bad for the things that we've done and sometimes we feel that it can't be undone. We all fall. But we have the atonement of Jesus Christ to help us out. He suffered everything so that we could be free of pain, sadness, anger, and everything that makes us feel bad. So we have every reason to be happy. We have the restored góspel here on the earth so we should enjoy it. Anyway I don't have too much to say but I hope that helps haha!

Oh yeah, it turns out that my comp has been on his mission for about 3 years (he's 25). He started out in Costa Rica, there were a bunch of problems, not exactly sure what all happened, but he's here now, been in Guate for 19 months, goes home in April. But the sad part is that he doesn't have a family to go home to. Which means he doesn't have anyone to send him anything during Christmas. So will you do me a favor, except for new shoes (see my picture below) will you take anything that you were going to buy and send me for Christmas and send it to him? 

Something I've learned here:

The mission is not the best two years of your life, they´re the best two years FOR your life.

Thank you all for your support and be happy!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Whelan

FINALLY!!!

Hey everyone!!!!!

So I got some awesome news!!! We baptized and were finally seeing more fruits from our labor!! We have baptisms set up for every week of this month! His name is Wilson Santos and he's been investigating the church for like 3 years. He was a pure miracle for us. 

He was living in another part of Guatemala and he moved to our ward. He and his wife came up to us and told us that he wants to hear the lessons and be baptized. His wife is a member and she helped him understand a lot about the church. Obviously we taught him and he was finally baptized this past Sunday! 

It was extremely awesome his baptism, I pretty much organized everything just for him. I made a specialized agenda for him so that he would always remember his baptism and almost the whole ward went. He had a ton of support and it was probably the best baptism ever. He also chose me to baptize him so it was extra special to me. 

There is no greater feeling than that of baptizing someone who is ready to join this church. Something I've realized here is that the path of any member of this church is a hard one. This is the only true church on the earth today and we face the most difficult trials everyday of our lives. Thats the path of a latter day saint.

Yesterday was P-day but because I got a new comp, I didn't have time to write. We played a lot of soccer. I think I broke my tow. Last time I thought that, my parents laughed at me because I had kicked a Disney Princess balloon on my birthday and in the follow-through ended up kicking the couch. They thought it was hilarious until they actually looked at my toe, which was instantly purple and super swollen.

My new comp has been out for 19 months. He's from Costa Rica.

We thought Wilson (the older guy) was going to be baptized, but he moved before we had a chance to finish his teaching. I was pretty sad. We passed on his information other missionaries, but he lives outside of our boundaries now.

Thanksgiving is coming up. They don't celebrate it here but I know that you guys do haha. I want to challenge all of you reading this to prepare spiritually for this thanksgiving. Help someone else be thankful as well. JUST BE THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

I'm excited for Christmas, too. To me, it has everything to do with Jesus Christ. It's a time of year that we should not at all think about ourselves. Yes, we should think about others and yes we should give to others. But not worldly things. We should give people hope and help them with their faith. We should focus on what really matters and not on the things that won't matter to us in the heavens.

Anyway I don't have too much more to write. Please pray for Hardy Vega so that he can get baptized this week!!!!!!

I love you all so much!!!

Pics of outside.

Hammok (Dont remember how to spell)

Elder Murillo had changes

Elder Diaz my new companion.

Elder Whelan

No Time, Gotta Baptize!

Hey everyone!! 

So this week we have seen a lot of progress in our area! One thing that I haven't been noticing as much throughout my mission are the little miracles that happen every single day. Like today for example, I got an email that kind of made me feel down haha but then I saw that my brother was on the internet and I got to talk to him for a little bit! That was awesome! He told me that we are literally 2 hours and 3 mins away from each other! To be honest it's amazing how small Guatemala is haha. 

Anyway back to miracles. 

I think that miracles are something that each and every one of us needs to focus on in our lives. The days of miracles did not stop when Jesus died and they still have not! We need to realize them and focus on them because they happen a ton! I want you all to keep a journal or something that focuses mainly on the tender mercies and miracles that happen to you each day. 

Look for them and enjoy them because the Lord has so many prepared for us if only we recognize them and be grateful for them.

Anyway I hope everyone is having a good one back at home!! Happy Halloween!!! 

Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Whelan

Editor's note: Apparently a stack of pancakes and lots of syrup are a little miracle to Elder Whelan! :)