Monday, June 24, 2013

"It's just such a sentence ender......"

SO THIS WEEK WAS CRAZY; but it had a FANTASTIC ending. 

To start, I owe you guys from last week. The dude on the bus. OH MY GOSH. I wanted to just reprimand and shut him up, but people like that are stupid and don´t listen. He told us that all mormon's believe and worship Joseph Smith,...which is normal for people here to say.  He told us that there are different classes of Mormons. Then he told us that Joseph Smith was killed after they went to Utah, because he had 7 wives and the members of the church were sick of him and having to run from the US Government, so they killed him. Stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life. Literally. But, that opened the doors and people started asking us questions and stuff about us. It was way cool!!

Then, Tuesday, I had to go back to Teguc to get my residency. To say that I am no longer illegal...haha. I am not mojado (direction translation, wet.  Likely means he isn't new anymore.) anymore!!! That took us the whole day, because the immigration here is worse than the DMV.

Then I went on divisions for three days.

The first day, wed, I did with the ZLs. The elder I went with ... it wasn´t so bad, the members in their area gave us a ton of food, which was new for me. Then from there, I went to an area called Moroceli, with a new elder. Brand new. He is in his second week in the field, from Canada. Elder Gregson. He is taller than I am. And whiter. And is still learning Spanish. but he is a way cool kid!!! He plays volleyball and basketball, had a scholarship for vball, is lefty, and speaks like a Canadian. I asked him about why they use eh....and what he told me was this:

¨Just listen to this next sentence....This is such a beautiful area, eh? Didn´t you hear it? Eh is just such a sentence ender!¨ I couldn´t stop laughing. Canadians really do use eh. He is from Cardston. I spent Thursday there and came back to my area Friday. We visited some people and ended. Saturday the other elders had a baptism, so we helped them with that and then visited some members and investigator, Roberto. He said no to the fecha (baptism date) for this week, but he wants to learn more. We are helping him with that, and he is progressing a ton.

and for the big finale.......

WE HAD 40 PEOPLE IN CHURCH YESTERDAY!!!!!!

It was a miracle.!!!!!!!!! We had sacrament done by the priesthood from the branch and in white shirts and ties, missionary donated. We had all three hours, which is the first time in a while we have had all three hours. It was incredible!!!! I am seeing the fruits of our labor.

That is really it. This week was a lot of running around and traveling. In one of my divisions, we did some service, and killed 6 scorpions, a snake, many termites, and about 10 tarantulas of a pretty good size. I have a foto of the snake....but nothing else.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I know its a little bit late, but...mas vale tarde que nunca, va?? Gracias por todo que has hecho por mi, y por todos nosotros. Eres lo mejor, y no sabes que agradecido estoy por tenerte como mi papa. Te amo mucho.

Love you all!!!

Zach

 

 

Monday, June 17, 2013

YEAR, FOOLS!!!!

So, it is coming to the point where I have less days left than when I started. Well, it has always been that way, but now I have almost been here more time than what I have left. Weird, I don`t feel like that much time has gone. But it goes crazy fast. 

Fun fact, this keyboard doesn`t have a certain key. Its the letter that comes after o, so I will be using all sorts of cut and paste tech to write you guys. 

So, I didn`t have changes this week. I will be with my comp for another change. We found out that another companionship of elders did the same thing, Abrir Area where an Elder is the Branch Pres, and they were together five changes. It could be a long go here in Yuscaran. 

On another note, Tuesday we walked from Yuscaran to Oropoli to get a partida for a wedding...and this town is anywhere from 17 to 20 kilometers from Yuscaran. We took four hours walking to get there and then we walked halfway back before getting jalon in a truck bed with 11 other dudes. I was WASTED that day. We got back at like 4 in the afternoon, and we left at 8 in the morning. we didn`t do anything really that day. 

Wednesday was normal. Sort of sad, I thought I was getting changes. But no....and I got sort of depressed. The reason is because I thought that after a year, I would have trained, or been made at least senior comp, but still nothing. There are elders who have 6 months who are already zls....it is weird to accept, and a little  hard for me. Well, I had a chat with one of my best friends here....and it helped a ton. He told me that some Elders were like Abinadi and some were like Ammon. God needed Ammon to be Ammon, and Abinadi to be Abinadi. Then he told me that I was like Abinadi, and the first thing that came to my head, dad, was  ...edit....haha. But then he got super serious....I seriously needed to chat with him because he took some time to tell me that I really was needed, and that God needed me to not give up and to just keep working. I could really feel God's love in that moment. I realized that being here for four changes was hard, and I really did want changes bad....really bad. But I now have sort of regained my ganas to work and have decided to be the best menor that this world has seen and the best first counselor too.

Speaking of church, we had 32 on Sunday. Christian passed the sacrament...and our investigator Roberto moved back from Teguc. He ended up not finding work and told us that it was a sign God needed him here....which is true. We challenged him for the 22, and we are hoping that he accepts. 

Well, my time is short this week, but I have some crazy stuff to tell you this next week. A guy got on the bus today and started  preaching about all the real truth of Mormonism. There are apparently 17 leves of mormons, and 13 are gays and homosexuals, and 4 have  plural wives. And you will all be shocked when I tell you his explanation for how and why Jose Smith died. It literally shocked me. 

I love you all!!! thanks so much, and may my first year be better than the second!!! (He's definitely confused!)

To all my mission buddies, especially those from my district and those that have the same time....halfway. Lets catch the mtc fire again, and get back to how we were in those days...and then use our year of time to really kill it in this last year. 

 

Love you all!!!

Zach

Monday, June 10, 2013

Success defined.....

Well, this was an incredible week!!!

First off, the story of the man last week?? He lived. I don´t know why I said what I said, but I said it, and it was what I was supposed to say. I asked...The Lord.  He is upbeat, and happy, and ready to forget that which has happened in his past. He has an increased desire to become active again, and we are going to start working with him to prepare him for the priesthood.

We also left and did visits with most of the relief society presidency on Saturday!!! It was fantastic. The second counselor, is a fairly heavy lady, and to see her walk all that we did was an incredible sacrifice, and she had an incredible attitude about it. The three that were there, the presidenta, the 2nd counselor, and the Sec, bonded. They are all in this together, and it shows. We have one that is missing, the first counselor. We still have to set her apart, and its really starting to irritate me. People here always put other things in front of the church...and in front of God. My comp said something very true the other day. Sister, he said to a member, God should be in first place in our lives, in fiftieth place, and in last place. And then, if there is time, we put us in our lives. So true. That´s how we become blessed. By making Gd and the church our life, and then just working in the little things. We have successfuly maintained an attendence of 26 or higher this change, since the first of May. We had a dip one week, but it was an anomoly, and we brought it right back up. I am beginning to understand what it really means to be in charge. We get all the fun and not so fun stuff, but it is all worth it.

I taught sunday school on Sunday, like always. We decided that the members don´t need gospel doctrine, they need gospel principles. So I have been teaching from that little yellow book. It is fantastic. We had a great lesson on Sunday about albedrio......agency, in English. Took me a minute to remember that. I used the stick example, but I have changed the stick for a shovel, because we always choose more consequences than actions with our actions. It works. The members are starting to get it. I think.

Our baptism for this month, Roberto, moved to teguc this last week. We had him...HAD HIM. I was so sad he left, I felt like we were getting so close with him,...but obviously, what he needs from now on has to come from someone else, and we all play for the same team, right??  Baptisms count for baptisms. So it´s all good.

In the last two weeks we set apart the relief society presidency, the branch mission leader, and gave Christian, our most recent convert, the aaronic priesthood this last Sunday!!!! He comes every week and to every activity in his missionary donated white shirt and tie. Neatly ironed by his mom. He is AWESOME!!!!!!!! He loves going places with us, and sometimes just comes and chills with us at the church if we are working in the office or something.

I was thinking about my last year....I will most likely have changes this week, and that will practically be the start of year two. I will take it like that, because it will be a new area, and a new start. They are opening three new zones this change, and a whole bunch of areas, so I might be getting the open area card again, which is fine with me. I am okay with that. I want to go to San Lorenzo, which is the hottest part of our mission, but one of the most awesome places, apparently. Plus, when I got here about ten months ago, all the city elders told me that I never wanted to go to Valle Verde, where I am, and San Lorenzo. Well, One down, one to go. Haha. I am sort of really ready for changes. 

This week we had nothing too exciting. just this stuff.

Oh, and fun facts. In my trips to Teguc, I have been able to find where I have already been. I have found the hospital, the dental school, the hotel, Nifu Nifa, and some other random stuff. The Chilis we ate in there, stuff like that. I know where I was!!!! haha!!!! its really cool.

Well, that is pretty much it. I love you all.

Zach

Monday, June 3, 2013

This week was a very long week for a few reasons. But it was amazing and humbling at the same time.

It started out with Roberto. Remember him, the guy with the tough question?? Well, I should have trusted more in the Book of Mormon. He told us on Tuesday that he received an answer that it is true, and that it really doesn´t contradict the Bible. You just have to read or interpret the Bible differently. He is an amazing man having an amazing change. He told us that he almost left last week for Teguc to find work, but someone told him they could have a job for him here. He openly acknowledged with us that it was God, keeping him here a little longer. I am constantly amazed by his spirit and his understanding. I am sad, however, becuase I don´t know if I will be here to see him get baptized, but that is not something big. I just hope he decides that it really is what God needs him to do.

We spent most of the week preparing branch business. We called a new Relief Society Presidency, and they are pumped to get working!!! We have to divide our time into branch and mission, but we are learning how. I have learned that some really humble people can do some really amazing things, and I have seen how the Lord really does qualify whom he calls. Its an amazing experience. It makes me think of an Ensign quote from Elder Andersen, when he says that worldly wisdom is always worth more when it bows down to the wisdom of the Lord. The mission counselor who is over us came this weekend, and was there for sacrament. He said that he is super pleased with how the branch is growing and how it is working. We finally have it looking somewhat like an LDS church should look. We cleaned all day saturday, and it looks ten times better!

And now, for the absolute craziness. I learned an incredibly sacred lesson this week, and even though it came through some circumstances that are tough to deal with, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Friday night we got back late from doing divisions. I stayed with the other gringo here to teach seminary, and my comp was sick, so he went with the other latin to our house to sleep. We got done with seminary, picked up some food, and and started to help out my comp with daily reports, him being dl and all, and asleep, I just did it for him. Well, we got a phone call from a member and she told us that one of our other members was dying in that exact moment. It took a moment to register, but when it did, it was all hands on deck. I took off running with the gringo to the guys house. It was cold, raining really hard, and we didn´t care. I just made sure I had oil, and we took off.

We got to the members house, and asked where he was. I didn´t even say hi, I don´t think. They took us to his room. He was laying on his bed, glassed over eyes, and rolling side to side. I tried to talk to him to get his attention to ask him about the blessing, but got no response, so I asked the people around if he could hear or speak. I think I said it in Spanish, but they all looked at me funny, and so I repeated myself. They said no, so I looked at the other gringo, Elder Ward, held out the oil, and said anoint. He did. I took a moment to steady myself and pray for some guidance. I don´t remember the blessing I really gave, but I do remember that I mentioned in some parts, in essence, that he would soon pass on. I didn´t want to say it when it came to me, but I did. I mentioned some other stuff, and even though I knew he couldn´t hear me or understand me, it was added to me that our Father loves him. I felt the most intense feeling of a type of love in that moment, and the only way I could define it was a hurting love...Like a ¨why would you do this, don´t you know how much I love you?¨ sort of a thing.

I ended crying. I couldn´t help myself. I felt so overwhelmed by feelings that weren´t mine that I couldn´t help myself. When we got done, I stood for a moment and regained myself. I asked what had happened. His cousin told me that a few hours earlier, this member had drank a lot, gotten super drunk, and had tried to hang himself with a scarf. His sister in law found him, and they took him down. He wasn´t really breathing, but they called a doctor who gave him an injection to fight swelling to open up his trachea. He didn´t check, though, against the alcohol, and the injection had a reaction against it, putting him in a conscious comatose state.

I walked home crying. Asking myself and God if that was really what I was supposed to say. I honestly got home and was just destroyed. I honestly wondered why I would say that....or why I would be prompted to say that. I felt like I had, in a way, just condemned him to die. It was tearing me apart. After the other elders left our house, I just started reading from my scriptures. Just reading and praying. I was tired before, but I wasn´t anymore. And then I read DyC 18....the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God. It hit me that I had felt the love of our Father in Heaven, who was in pain to see his own son try and do this to himself, and that even though he had messed up and was struggling, our Father in Heaven still loved him with a love we cannot comprehend. He loves me and everyone else. I couldn´t fathom it. I understood a little bit more what his love really feels like, and this experience will be forever ingrained in my soul. I felt such a peace and comfort knowing that, and I could finally fall asleep.

God lives. He loves us, and I testify of that love.

Elder Glassett

Monday, May 27, 2013

So it´s pday and we didn´t go to Teguc!!! woohoo!!!! We played soccer today, and its starting rainy season almost a month late, so it was drizzling while we played. Beautiful. This week was a little slow, but pretty good. We had 27 people in church this week, and we were missing some, so we are hoping for more next week. The number to beat is 32. That's what we are working towards.

This week there was a festival of mango here in Yuscaran. Its a pretty big deal. Three straight days of people partying and just doing nothing. Its pretty ridiculous. Our member, Luis, was selling food, and he makes some pretty tasty stuff. Its sad, though, because with the money he makes between this last weekend and the puppies his dog had, he is going to be moving back to Teguc. But, he will continue faithful and strong. We have faith in that. He is a good man with an intense desire to learn more about the gospel. But with the festival, came a lot of vacationers and there were parties until three in the morning across the street from our house. So much noise. So glad it's over. But it was interesting to see people get so excited for something. I have also seen more drunk people than in all my mission, all in one place.

We are working with a man named Roberto lately. He was baptized in 85ish in Teguc, but we cannot find record of him and neither can Salt Lake, so he needs to be baptized again. His brain is a doctrinal blender. He has been to Baptist, Catholic and JW churches in these twenty some odd years. He is good, because he reads and understands, but sometimes its difficult to work with him. Not his fault, but some of the questions he asks are hard to answer, and he is never really satisfied with our responses. I have some study time under my belt, and know some stuff, but he asks questions that I don´t even want to ask, because finding the answer would take years!!!! He asked us recently why in second nefi two it says that Eve would never have had children before the fall, if in Genesis 3:16 it says that God would multiply her pain in giving birth. that, in his interpretation, means that she would have had perfect children before the fall, it was the fall that made them imperfect. Well, that tried all my scriptural knowledge. (ps, if you ever teach the plan of salvation to jw, SKIP THE FALL. THAT IS A SORE POINT FOR THEM.) I used 2 Nephi 2:22 and 23. He said that that meant that the Book of Mormon was contradicting the Biblia. He wanted somewhere else where it said that. so, I used Moses 4 something, where Eve rejoices, and her and Adam are blessing God. I don´t remember the reference. but he sort of just left it at that. I am exhausting my scriptural knowledge tank with this guy. I am sure he will get baptized, but he is going to take some time, which is okay with me.

And then....the funny ish part. I had two grown women, sisters, make passes at me this week. One last Sunday, and one on Saturday. The first one is an inactive, and hasn´t been to church in years. Her friend yelled at me that if I liked her, she had said that I could have her. While she was standing there, trying to seduce me with her eyes. At least I think she was, I was busy trying to invent a response. I ended up saying, No, thanks. But that was very nice of you.

Then her sister. I didn´t know they were sisters until later, when I saw them together. Her sister isn´t a member, and started asking us what does elder mean, all that sort of stuff. Then she asked if missionaries could have girlfriends. I said no. She asked if that meant just Honduras. I said yes, that some missionaries have girlfriends in their home countries. She asked if I did. I said no and why are you asking. Para que nos casemos, she said. So that we get married. I just said, thanks, very nice of you, but I am okay single, thanks. For those of you who speak spanish, women in this country are Lanzadas. They sort of jump the gun. Tell you very openly what they want, and they want it when they want it. Its really really hard to deal with. all the yelling, and blowing kisses and all that. But I always say thank you, just to be polite.

And then today, we took another great jalon!!! Photo included. played soccer and came back, tranquilo. We also had zone conference this last week, which was fun. Learned quite a bit, and got some good time to see other elders and such.

Family....

Cody....congrats on band stuff. You better be recording stuff, and show it all to me when I get back. If you are still home. If not, stick it all on my ipod, and then go to the mtc.

Erin...you guys are nuts!!! That is an awesome photo. And sad stuff about losing, but they say you learn more in losing then winning.

Mas, you are a goof and you look old. And good job with bigger or better!! a blowflex!?!?!?! You better be using that to beef up a little, chico.

I love you all. To all my missionary buddies, keep on keepin on, and keep working!!!!!!!

Zach

Cow Tongue.  He ate it and liked it!  I won't tell you what their next mystery meal is going to be. 

This is what he means by a "jalon".  It is the hitch hiking vehicle and they are not all the same.  Pray he is safe while he travels please!!!!

Monday, May 20, 2013 (11 months in the mission!)

(Paula's note:  Don't miss the pictures in this letter.  They are a tender mercy to us at home!)

This has been one of the hardest weeks of my mission. Without doubt. We are going through problems here in this little branch that I never thought I would have to deal with, and less at 20 years of age. But I absolutely am confiding in the Lord, and just hoping everything goes right. We are doing everything we can here, and need that promised help right about now. (Paula's note:  There are four missionaries in Zach's area.  These four make up the branch presidency.  So, in addition toregular missionary work, they also handle all the branch issues, which apparently are more than just the normal duties.)

We have been super involved with the branch this week. Meetings, correlations, new callings, fixing stuff, inactives, you name it. I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am learning so much about how the church works that it scares me, mostly because this is all in preparation for the future. Yikes. That future scares me.

Tuesday we went to Oropoli for a partida de solteria for the wedding of somebody. We went 45 minutes hitchhiking and 30 walking to get there, in the bumpiest ride of my life and then we found that it was incredibly difficult to leave that place. We talked to a lady who told us that she had spent two hours waiting and had had no luck, and no more buses were leaving, so she showed us the hotel there. Ha. But this whole experience was a testimony of the power of prayer for me. We prayed before we left to be able to go in and come out quickly and without problem. Well, we did what we needed to do, and left, and started walking. We were blessed with a miracle.!!! We took a jalon in the back of a corn truck, that was closed and dark and hot and dusty. About an hour we were in there. But that is in difference to a whole day spent walking. I really saw the power of prayer in that whole experience, and how when it is the Lords work, stuff gets done. he makes it possible. (Well you all now know his main form of transportation.  Please pray more than ever for his safety in his travels.)

I also am at 11 months. 13 to go. I remember celebrating hitting one month in the MTC, and I just laugh at myself. This is something. I am getting some serious time and feel like I have barely done anything with this year. Hindsight is 20-20, and you really realize looking back how fast it´s all gone. I am starting to gear up for year two. It will be better than year one. I am getting back all that fire from the MTC and adding to it my years worth of experience. It should be a fun time. I am hoping to just be the best missionary I possilby can while I am still here.

Clan....family....

Erin, I know you will do great. Trust Cory he is a good guy and will help you a lot.

Mason...you are an animal. I don´t know where you got all that. You are definitely part.....something. I don´t know what but something.

Mom and dad. I am good. I have gotten all three of those packages, and grandma has a letter that I just sent to her, so in about a month and a half, it will be there. and mom....love you. you are the best mom ever. I told you to wait to read it after because I know you...:) Funny side note, got a letter from Tayler the other day. surprised?? I was, Thanks for asking. Interesting stuff is at work here. She said she saw you guys at Daniels farewell. Small world. haha.

Included are pics from our baptism!!!! THIS KID IS PILAS!!!!! We gave him a white shirt and I donated a tie, and he goes on visits with us and shares his testimony with EVERYONE!!!! It helps me to be a better missionary, being with him and he loves wearing that shirt and tie. I don´t think he will be able to serve a mission, but he is so sincere and has such a tender spirit, its hard not to feel the spirit with him there.

I love you all!!!!!!!!

Zach

That is pretty much it for this week. 

No this isn't Zach, it's Cody, but if you look closely you will notice it is the same baptismal font. 
We visited the people of this branch in 2008 and shared a sub for santa of sorts with them.  Cody was here long before Zach got there.  It is a sweet blessing to be able to visualize where Zach is. 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Well, sorry, because off the bat, this letter won´t be much, seeing as how my parents were spoken to by me yesterday. But some of the highlight stuff.

We did a HUGE mothers day activity here in the branch, and we now know how the elders here in the past brought lots of people to church. They promised them activities with food, and then they would get them to promise to come to church. In my opinion, that is not how the game works. But we can modify it so that we don´t always do food, or so that they feel more of the spirit to be able to make it there on their own. it was a lot of work and a lot of stress, but it went okay. Mostly.

We also had a baptism!! Cristian, 20 years old. I forgot my camara and so there will be no pictures, but next week, I promise. We are still trying to deal with all the branch problems that seem to be magnifying and getting worse in range and scope....all sorts of people that we don´t even know are involved apparently. But the church is guided by revelation, so that´s how it works in the fourth floor of the temple and thats how it works in Yuscaran, I guess. We will figure out and be helped to a solution and to fixing this, but time will tell when.

I hope all of you missionary buddies out there are doing well, and that your families are too!!! I love you all, and thanks to all my buddies from school, home, the mtc, what have you, that I have met, because you have all made an impact in my life. Pretty much, it means you get my emails, so....if you get my emails, you made a positive impact in my life. So thanks. Love ya all!!!

I gotta go. Happy mothers day to all the moms out there, and love ya fam!!!

It was good to talk to you yesterday, and mom...I hope you enjoyed the letter.

Love to all!!!

Zach