Monday, September 10, 2012

Hola familia!!!

So this week was good!! It was busy, and a little disappointing at times, but good!. Tuesday we had a lesson with our previously dropped golden investigator, Amanda. She is getting baptized this next Saturday!! Granted, Nava and De La Cruz, his previous comp, have done most of the work, but I like to think I helped a little bit. We will see how this goes. I will get pictures to send next week.

We also spent two hours Saturday chopeando. That is Spanish for chopping, which translates into using a machete and some pruning shears that I accidentally broke, they don't make products for Americans here, to clean up the weeds around the front of the house and the trees and wild bushes and stuff. It made me think of the summers spent weed whacking in the yard, and I would have loved to have a freaking machine. What took us two hours would take me maybe ten minutes with a machine down here. But it was good and I apologize if I ever complained about that. We did it at the house of a non-active and her sister, who is an investigator, and her mom, who is stubborn as a mule. We had a super, SUPER great lesson with the sister, Pamela, last night. She wants to get baptized so bad, but the mom won't let her right now, she's only 15, and as far as the mom is concerned, she has been baptized already. It's frustrating, and it makes my heart hurt, if that makes sense, because I know what the girl feels, and it is a feeling of disappointment. Kind of like, when you know something is true, and the person can't accept it because they can't see past their own understanding and pride. Hmmm,,....did that sound familiar when I was typing it. Anyways, she is hopefully going to be baptized soon. hopefully. We had a family, Alexander and Lesvia, that have been with us for like a week and a half, almost two, actually, and they seem to be getting it. The problem is, they won't go to church. Yesterday, we went to get them for church. Alexander was outside, and we knew that his partner was inside. He saw us and disappeared into his house, and the door shut. His two nephews told us that no one else was home, which was funny because we could hear Alexander's voice from inside the house. This family was a HUGE hope for us, and now we don't know what to do with them. Again, it makes your heart hurt....I think that is what it means when it says in PMG to love your investigators. Feel the sorrow of them not accepting a challenge, or keeping a commitment. I leave appointments like that and am just devastated.

So, also this week, Nava and I talked about the fact that I never talk and we fixed that. We have left the 12 week training program behind, and are now working like normal missionaries. I am contacting a lot more and talking a ton more during lessons. The problem is that most of our investigators hit a two or three lesson mark before they can't see past themselves, or they won't accept a doctrine, and we have to drop them. So all that work we did two weeks ago finding people payed off for a week, but now we have to find people all over again. That's the work though.

Dad, you hit the nail on the head. Nobody here knows how to sing with a piano. It's really funny, but kind of frustrating. I know the point of hymns is to praise God, and he probably doesn't care how it sounds, but if I were God, it would definitely help a little bit. Probably a good thing that I am not God, among other reasons.

I went on splits last week with our DL, and it was good. I like working with other people, because I learn new stuff. For example, with contacts, Nava is super direct, but elder Peña likes to chat with the person for a minute, and then bring up the church. I like to mix the two, because my conversational Spanish is lacking a little, but with practice it will come.

Our ward is pretty big. We live on the far end of it. it takes us like 20 minutes to walk to church if we miss the bus. Elnicky's comp is from draper, a Landan Sorenson. He knows Jeremy Allan, and lives up by Sprucewood.

The food is actually really good. We really only eat one meal a day, but most members will offer us something if we stop by for a sec.

So, spiritual story for the week. We were teaching a lesson about the priesthood, which is something a lot of people here don't understand. The whole "i have already been baptized" thing can be a real problem because they don't understand how important authority is. As I was explaining where the authority comes from and using JSH 1:68-69 and 72 to do so, I told them that I have this authority and so does my companion. The thought popped into my head. 'How can you make that claim?' I straight up said to Alexander and Lesvia, "So, right now, I feel like both of you are wondering how I can make the claim that I have this authority. Am I right?" They both sort of looked surprised, and nodded. I keep my line of authority in my Spanish Book Of Mormon, and so I pulled it out and explained that my authority comes in an unbroken chain straight from Christ. THE POWER OF DISCERNMENT IS REAL. I have experienced it for myself, and have noticed it at other times during lessons since then. Holy crap.

So, Davids letter was interesting, because we get like the same rain here. In fact, if you are caught out in it, the roads turn into rivers and you can't go anywhere, and the water can get up to 2 feet deep. Naturally, you find those spots on accident. It took 40 some odd hours for my boots to dry all the way. I will be buying wading boots, because everybody here says that October is the worst month, and that it can go for days without stopping.

Tell Bishop thanks for the letter, and it's awesome to hear that everyone is doing well. Tell him thanks so much for everything he's done for me, and that I am working as hard as I can.

Everybody sounds like they are doing well. Cody, I am not surprised to hear your team is killing it. Erin, I am sure you will do fine in volleyball. You have an amazing capacity to work hard, and your consistency will show through. Mas....dude, really??? I wait all week to hear from you, and I get a "I don't really have anything to tell you?" TELL ME ABOUT FREAKING ANYTHING, I DON'T CARE. I love hearing from you. Anything. Soccer, school, friends, girls, I don't care. Something. K bud??? love you. and Cody, lemme know when you play with bobby. Record it if you can. and I can't wait to get home to hear that song.

Everything's good here. Gonna go watch a movie and play some ball for pday. Don't worry, the movie is mission pres. approved.

Love you guys,

Zach

Week 2 .....  So, this week was good! I have showered out of a bucket everyday, eaten good food, and been in some really poor houses. Nothing new. We had to drop our golden investigator-she wouldn´t get baptized, at least not yet. we spent practically all week looking for people to teach, and it´s paying off. We have a ton of lessons to follow up on.

This week also, today being pday, we drove in a bus to the top of a freaking mountain, where we hiked for thirty plus minutes, and played soccer on top of a mountain!!!!! IT WAS SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would have brought my camera. I definitely will if we go there again.

Sorry if my words melt together, this keyboard sucks.

So, yesterday, I was a little concerned, because as much as I love my comp, he never lets me talk because he thinks I am nervous. Truth is, I never talk because he just ends up taking over. So I never do any talking if we are contacting, because he ends up taking over, and I look like the gringo that can´t speak Spanish. Well yesterday, I was sort of fed up with it. I said a silent prayer that I would be led to somebody that could benefit from hearing our message,. I said amen and just started walking. I am still learning the streets, so it surprised him that I was so sure, I think. I stopped at a crossroads, an intersection, and just kind of looked at the road. I took a turn, and he mentioned to me that he and a previous comp had contacted this street. We walked past a house, and I stopped. I looked at him and asked, "What about that house?" He said no, he didn't think so, so I proceeded to walk to the two women sitting outside, and started talking to them. I knew that I was speaking, but was just kind of talking. One of the ladies was Catholic, and tried to argue something, but I responded in practically perfect Spanish, and it made sense. Long story short, both of them, ojala, are coming to church next week. I think that was my first experience where I pretty much put myself at the disposal of the Lord, and I think Nava knew that I could talk to people. All the members tell him that I speak really well, and one of the elders in our zone didn't believe that I was brand new- He pretty much told me I had been here for six months. Whatever dude!!! Brand new. Granted, I speak good Spanish, but that isn't all of it. God really does give us the gift of tongues.

So, speaking of Malila, I am not surprised. I kind of actually guessed that this week, she was on my mind a lot. It doesn't astound me that she died, and while I am sort of sad, it was her time.

Everybody sounds busy as usual. D and C 58:26 , always be doing something, because the Lord hates a slothful servant.I hope Payson was good, and don't feel bad that I didn't get to come camping, because I feel like a signed up for two years of camping. I realized that camping after this would never be the same. Go somewhere where you are always dirty, there are a lot of bugs, food is a little different, and you shower out of a bucket?? Oh, yeah, doing that. Only difference is they speak a different language here.

Thanks for the pillow, I am needing one.  Nava likes our room freezing, so I could use a blanket, but it would be a waste, because I would never use it after this ever.

Our ward is good. Elnicky is in our ward, it's split into two areas. It's super weird, and I learned that they don't use the piano because nobody can play. But nobody told me there was a piano until yesterday after church, so I will be playing next week. It's amazing here-the ward mission leader leaves on his mission in November, the ym presidency is mostly newly ordained elders, lots of young guys, and the building doesn't have a/c. oh well.

Wendy Horton sent me a dear elder. Tell her thank you so much. It sounds like her family is doing well, and I was glad to hear from them. Tell them I am doing well, and maybe show them some pictures.

To end with a fun fact!!! Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador are the three most dangerous countries that the church has missionaries!!!!

Love you all so much,

Zach

So, Fam, this week has been crazy. I got my first area.....I am in a Zone called Choluteca Este, It´s in the very south of Honduras, a three hour bus ride from the capital. I am in an area called Los Llanos. I can literally see the border with Nicaragua when I go outside. So crazy. Everything here smells, and it all smells bad. Our House in nice compared to the other houses here. I have AC in one room....our bedroom. We have a kitchen, if you can call it that. we have a mini fridge, a sink that doesn´t work half the time, and our water has to be bought or boiled. Our bathroom doesn´t have real running water most the time, so that bucket you see in the picture is what I use to shower and flush the toilet. The sink in the bathroom doesn´t work at all. we wash all our clothes by hand, so that will be part of my pday today. it´s crazy how dirty stuff gets here in only a day. I am wearing one pair of pants for multiple days, but I have to switch shirts daily. I have never sweat so much in my LIFE!!! It´s only like 80 degrees here fahrenheit, but it feels like well over 100 with the humidity. The area I am in is really safe, and just super third world. No paved roads, not modern amenities. Except here everyone has a sound system, a car, a tv, and a cell phone.

I have also learned some things here. The first is that since I am gringo, and mormon, and people know that mormons don´t drink coffee, I hear a fair amount of ´Gringo! Quiere café? It's pretty much only the kids. Also, women here just don't wear bras, so that makes teaching a little uncomfortable. And in my first week, I had three women breastfeed in front of me. First day, actually.

Also, this is hard. I wake up in the morning, laying in bed, and just wonder what I am doing here. That wouldn't it have been easier to ignore what I felt in Kirtland and Nauvoo and not have to be here, to be in Cedar going to school....Then I study, say a prayer, and head out. and by the end of the night, I come to realize that this mission is worth more than any education. It's hard, and is taking a little bit of getting used too, but it's good.

We pay a hermana in the ward to feed us like one meal a day. That's pretty much the only meal we eat, we don't have the time or anything to cook for ourselves. We eat snacks and stuff if we buy them from pulperias, little stores, like in the pictures you sent me, with the tigo sign on it. Those things sell literally everything. So we normally get stuff from there once or twice a week. Hermana Norde is the lady that feeds us. She is a member, her husband isn't. she has two kids who are freaking adorable. Super nice.

So, we have one "investigador de oro"- golden investigator right now. She has done everything that my comp, Elder Nava, and his previous companion have asked. The only problem is that she doesn't think she is ready to get baptized, and can't pick a date. So we gave her the 8th as our last one, and then we would have to drop her. we didn't tell her we would have to drop her, but that we wouldn't be able to teach her anymore.

We only have a few other investigators. Nobody really that we think is going for baptism right now. There are a few potentials, but most people here don't think they need to be baptized because they were baptized when they were babies. That, and people don't ever want to learn for themselves. They trust what their pastors have told them. It's sort of frustrating sometimes, but it works out most times.

My trainer's name is Elder Nava. he's from Juajaca, Mexico, and is like 5'3". Tiny little Mexican that speaks no English, hardly. except for the phrases I taught him, which are "Gosh Darn it!" and "Are you freaking kidding me??" He uses those a lot.

Crazy stuff down here. This week has really helped me appreciate the power of prayer, and the effect that it can have on our day to day lives. prayer really works, and is super helpful. God really does listen to us, and want's to help us, we just need to ask.

So, I am also attaching pictures. I can't attach too many, but I will send as many as I can with other emails. There are like a trillion other missionaries that need to use the computers her, so I gotta be quick.

Love you guys, and the chuch is true!!!!!

 

 

 

Zach has left the comfort of the MTC and will be arriving in Honduras in a few hours.  We spoke to him last night and this morning on the phone.  He seems excited and ready to get to work there and is grateful for all that he learned in the MTC. 

Hey everybody!!! I hope everything is going well at home!!!

I just sent a package home with all the letters I have received while here, so that should be coming soon. I also wrote a letter to the both of you to put in there, so make sure you read that, and then just put the letters in my room.

So, Congrats to Cody for opening for Bobby!!! That's so chill!! I wish I could be there to see it! What venue is it at??? I seriously wish I could see it. So bad. And Erin, I am sure that bolleyball is fun. Conditioning doesn't sound like it would be near as hard as for soccer. I hope that your tourney goes well. Where do they have you playing??? I am guessing as a hitter, probably outside since you're right handed. And Mas, yes, I got all the references you made to music. I still know all that stuff. I can't wait to see the scar when I get home, and good job in the Sparta Cup! 2nd is really good!

Well, I am pretty much packed. I have one bag at 49 and 1/2 pounds, the other one at just over 40, But I have some last minute stuff to do. everything is pretty crazy. I saw Elder Walbeck and Elder Potter the other day, and have pretty much said goodbye to Elder Seegmiller and Elder King. I probably won't see them again.

We had infield orientation yesterday, which is why me email is arriving today. it was so good. I can't wait to get out and serve, the MTC is killing me. I have enjoyed my time here, but I need out.

We said good bye to one of our teachers, Hermano Larson. coolest guy ever. Served in Merida, Mexico. Speaks four languages, and is learning Romanian and Italian (he speaks french, portuguese, spanish, and english). He had some funny stories. We say goodbye to our other teacher, hermano Johnston, tonight. He is way more strict, and hardly ever speaks english. Served in Guatemala City, North, I think. Super awesome teacher.

So, We had an awesome fireside about our purpose as missionaries on tuesday, by David F. Evans, who is in the presidency of the 70, and Exec. Director of missionary department. Such a good talk. he showed us a painting that president Monson refers to a lot. It's about a rescue of a ship, which I think is totally applicable to what we are doing here. I noticed that the rescue boat has an anchor tied to shore, so that it can get back and not get lost in the tempest that it is about to plunge into. That made me think of our faith, and how we need to keep it anchored in the rock of our redeemer, Jesus Christ. No matter how deep our faith is, it can always get deeper, and we can sink it deeper into the rock, so to say. 

Sunday was a fireside about our purpose with members, and how members need to be involved in the missionary process. made me think of Petey, Trayson, Trever, all the other people that we can and have touched with the gospel, to bring them back. But as great as that is, there is always more that can be done. It was a great talk, I really liked it.

This week has gone by super fast. I guess the super spiritual things that happened were during one of the firesides, I was trying to figure out how I could be more open to the spirit, and how the spirit can better use me. I thought that figuring out how the spirit speaks to me is a good thing. I was trying to think of all the times that the spirit has spoken to me, and what they all had in common. In lessons, it sort of leads me to things to say, but when I am studying, it doesn't lead me anywhere, or reveal things to me with a voice. I then heard/felt a voice say, 'you haven't figured it out yet?' which caught me totally off guard. It was in that moment that I realized that when I am listening to the spirit, it asks me questions. These questions get my brain going to thinking of examples in my life or in the scriptures just to figure out how to answer the question. That totally made sense to my brain, because that's how I work. I like to think things out in my brain, and then see if they feel good in my heart. That's how that works for me. Crazy huh??

I also gave my first ever blessing on Thursday or Wednesday night. One of the Elders in our district sprained his ankle way bad, and was worried, so he asked for a blessing with oil. Elder Wood, his companion, anointed, and then I sealed and pronounced the blessing. It was crazy. I had no idea what to say, or how it worked, so I just started speaking. Words came to me that I can't remember, nor would I have thought of.  It was so crazy, I am glad that I was able to be worthy to be able to do that for him.

Also, I sent a letter to Martha, so let me know what you get back from her. I also am officialy done being a zone leader, so I have no meetings on Sunday, which should be nice. 

Thanks for sending the pictures, I wish I could have eaten that food!!! It looked SO GOOD! You might want to be careful taking me back there for two reasons- one, I will have to eat everything and anything on sight, and two, I will be trying to convert some CCC people. A Community of Christ Church is not the place for a fresh off the mish 21 year old, with a fire still burning under him. You might have to put me on a leash for that one.

Well, that's pretty much it. Next email will be in Honduras!!!! Can't wait!!

Love you all. Church is true, and I can't wait to serve his children.

Elder Zach Glassett

Hola Familia!!! Todo esta bien en el CCM!!! (All is well in the MTC.)  So, I leave soon. This week is going to be crazy. We have so much to do, and that on top of packing and training new zone leaders. Speaking of zone, Elder Marcelo Cruz is in my zone!!!! I love him to death, he's the district leader in advanced. Also, I leave next sunday. HAH!!!! Elder Jarvis leaves the next day, and I am first to go from my district. Oh boy. I am flying with an elder I have never met before. He is a beginner in spanish, so he will be practically no help once we get to Honduras. Oh well. Elder Alex Olsen is here, and I haven't seen Reggie. I did see Noa Johnson, who played soccer on Rob Haertels team with me.

This week was awesome!! We had mission conference, and the MTC Pres. gave a fantastic talk on repentence. His wife gave a talk on the christlike attributes, and it was SO GOOD! Study that chapter again in PME, Cody. and maybe everyone else, too. It's good. We can learn alot from Christ. The Tuesday devotional was great as well. The speaker spoke about the translation of the plates in comparison to translation today. Did you know it takes over four years to produce a new edition of a Book of Mormon in another language?? OVER FOUR YEARS. It took Joseph Smith just about 70 days to translate the Book of Mormon. oh, and in today's world they can do about a page a day- The prophet Joseph did about 7 pages a day. Just another testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. Read Safety for the Soul again. So much good stuff in that talk about the Book of Mormon.

On another note, everything is sort of winding down here. Our teachers have all told us that they have really nothing left to teach us, so we are getting a ton of study time and such. I love it, studying the gospel is one of my favorite things to do. Plus, it means more now because I am getting closer to sharing it with actual people. You wouldn't believe of how sick you get of teaching fake investigators and doing teaching practices. They were good at first, but now just drag on forever.

One thing that I have learned this week is that you should be praying constantly for forgiveness and repentence. Even if they are just little things, you should be constantly turning towards God so that you can become like him. We need to be refined and perfected, and the way to do that is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's amazing how different it is when I am striving to be more Christlike all the time, and when I am constantly applying the Atonement in my life. It works miracles in me, and also through me. One of the most important aspects of missionary work is being worthy to do the work, and when you are worthy it makes all the difference. You don't have to change from doing terrible things to being perfect- repenting is a lot like sanding. You start off and it's super rough, but the harder and longer you work at it, and the more time you put into it, the better off you will be, and you will be just letting the master put his finishing touch on you. that's what really gets you smooth. nothing we do can.

Thank you so much for sending the color code test!! Elder jarvis and I both took it. I switched from white blue split to blue dominant (22) to red 13 to white 9 to yellow 2. white and yellow went down, and blue and red went up. Jarvis is white then blue than red then yellow. interesting, huh?? we work together well because we understand each other. I can totally see in our companionship as well how those colors come out.

So, ERIN!!! AWESOME JOB ON MAKING THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM!!! I know you will do great!! I am sad that you didn't make the soccer team, but volleyball is a ton of fun, and you should have a blast. I play a lot of it at the MTC, and I Love it!! I am not bad either, so maybe we should play when I get home??? I vote yes. And I don't doubt that Cody has cool news about his band, they are always doing crazy stuff. Heck, their guitarist has orange hair. Case in point. and Mas....Why does that not surprise me??? ONLY you would get hit in the face with a bat, and then a screw, and end up getting stitches. AY YAI YAI. hope you're feeling better bud.

Please dearelder me bishop Heylands address, and I will write him today. Abuela has sent me two or three letters now, and I have enjoyed being able to read her testimony. She shared the story with me about Elder Richard Mitchell, and I thought that was super cool. Still haven't heard from some other people, but ya know, wasn't expecting to. 

Well, that is pretty much it. Love you all. the church is true. I can´t wait to go and serve the actual people in the outside world. Hope everything is going well

God loves us, and he needs us. make sure we are following him the best we can. Love you all!!!

Hurrah for Israel!!

Elder Glassett

Zach mentioned in his last letter that he had a meeting with a member of his branch presidency but that he didn't have time to write the details.  I have typed them here from a letter we got thru the snail mail in his own words.  His letter shares his personality as the funny Zach we love at our house.

"After speaking with me for a few minutes, he paused and we started talking about the parable of the talents in Matthew Chapter ... 27ish?  It's during Christ's last week.  Anyways, he looks me right in the eyes and says, 'You have been given five talents.  Does that sound about right?'  Holy cow, was I taken aback.  First off, some guy who I have known for almost seven weeks knows me.  Second, he told me something I didn't even know. The spirit testified to me that he was right.  Then he said, 'You know what you need to do with those five talents.' Okay I guess I do ... what?! No, I don't. Not exactly.  Then, to make my head hurt a little bit more, he says, 'God has very big plans for you.  He will help you whenever you ask, as long as you ask in faith.  I wish we could sit and talk about some of the stuff in your patriarchal blessing.'  Well at this point I'm thinking well you hit both those on the head, so how 'bout you just keep going and we will see what else you can come up with.  There is a man who is in tune with the spirit." 

Thanks for sharing his journey with us!  Paula