Just Keep Pushing

I must say that this week there were a lots of ups and downs...and a lot of exhaustion.

On the weekends, there is a bar or something right next door that just blasts music that we can clearly hear which makes it hard to fall asleep. And then we have to close our windows which just makes the rooms a sauna! But let me tell you that I now have no problem going to sleep while hot. I literally just sleep like a baby all the time because I am exhausted!

So this week during our time for sports I decided to play basketball with some of the Hermanas and Elders. Needless to say...I absolutely killed all of them and they were all surprised!!!... Apparently I still got skills haha. No, but really we played like maybe 20 games of knockout and I won all but two. hahaha

Okay so this week I learned one thing about my mission and that is...rats!  Apparently in Guatemala they have these rats that are the size of a full grown cat! Is that not disgusting?... And they have red eyes and if you get near them they start to like snarl and hiss at you. Needless to say I was on the verge of crying because that is disgusting! But then I asked my teacher if I could buy a machete and he said yes... so problem solved I guess.

My teacher then proceeded to tell me  a story about his mom where they were at a families house in Quetzaltenago one of these rats ran across the floor, they all chased after it, killed it, and then proceeded to tell these sister missionaries that they now had dinner! Oh I about threw up! But if you think about it differently, the family had nothing to eat before killing that rat and they were willing to share. I have definitely seen how humble the people are here and it is amazing!

Oh, I also learned from a different teacher that I will most likely have to learn Mayan... which really freaked me out because I cant even speak Spanish! My Spanish is really coming along though. I got pulled aside by my teacher because she noticed how well I am doing and how diligent and hard working I am. That made me feel really good and really gave me a boost of confidence.

I probably gave one of the worst lessons I have ever given here in the MTC on Saturday. But I realized that it was because we forgot to pray before we went in. Which just goes to show that we can do nothing without Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. When we don't have the Holy Ghost with us we forget what we need to say or had planned and suddenly cant remember any Spanish words! The Spirit can do amazing things though when you pray and He is there with you!

I want to close with a quote and thought from Elder Bednar that he gave at the Provo MTC. In 3 Nephi 11: 15, it talks about how when Christ came to the Americas he greeted everyone "one by one" and that you can find that exact phrase 5 times in the Book of Mormon and they all have to do with Christ.

So think about this.  If he greeted all those people one by one, is it possible that when he was in the garden atoning for all of our sins and while he hung on the cross that he saw each and everyone of us flash through his mind. That he knew exactly who we are, what we looked liked and that we were all in his thought as he atoned and died for us! What a wonderful thought that is to have. That he saw each and every one of us, and loved us enough to go through all the pain that he did. Just a thought.

I love and miss you all. But I love this work and although exhausting, it is so rewarding. There is nothing better than being a missionary!

Hermana Loo

Semana Uno

Week One:

Wednesday

We arrived at the CCM and right away we got something to eat and then were able to take a three hour nap (nice because we arrived at 6am).  We had a meeting with the president and were put into our districts. My companions name is Hermana King and she is from Idaho.

But the best part of the day was receiving my name badge and becoming Hermana Loo! Oh it was a great feeling and it all became so real!

Thursday 

We jumped right into missionary work. Taught our first lesson, but in English so it went pretty well.

My other roommates are Latina so it is interesting trying to communicate with them. But all the Latinas here are absolutely Hilarious and so nice!

Friday 

Taught our first lesson in Spanish and it wasn't to good because we were tried to memorize the lesson, which didn't allow for the spirit to be there and guide us to where we needed to be for the investigator. However my speaking in Spanish has continued to get better everyday.

Saturday

Taught our investigator again and were able to do a little bit better but not as good as I had hoped. But Saturday was definitely the best day I have had here so far. We just had a lot of fun and grew closer as a district.

Sunday

Of course... I got called on during sacrament to give a talk... and in Spanish. So that was an adventure but I have to say that I did really good. My Spanish was really good and I was able to use scriptures and everything.  Sundays here are the best because the entire day we have meetings, devotionals and talks that invite the spirit and just take over.

Monday

First, just let me say that if you pray and ask Heavenly Father, he will we respond and give you what you need - if you are obedient. Second, the GIFT OF TONGUES EXISTS!

We went into our lesson with nothing planned, only scriptures, and the spirit took over.  Words I didn't know came to mind, things I wasn't sure how to say or phrases I thought of a different way to say, It was amazing! Trust in the Lord and you can do anything!

Some other "STUFF"

My Spanish is getting so much better as the days go by.... I am able to understand more than I can speak but that is okay.

Sorry there are no pictures. They take our cameras away when we first get here so I will probably never have any while here. Which is too bad. They have a lot of different rules here but then again I am in a different country.

All the Latinas always look at me and try to figure out where I am from and why I look like them, with dark hair and brown eyes. but what else is new.

Also I am the second tallest girl here so there is that hahaha!

Well not much time to write. But love and miss you all!

Hermana Loo

Guatemala!!!

I'm here...!!!

We have a little time today to just let you know that I got to Guatemala safely and I am at the CCM begining to adjust to being here. The flight here was not to bad except that I was in the middle seat which was not much fun. But I tried to sleep as much as I could one the flight over here. It was just a little tough with the plane being older and not having as much room or comfortable chairs.

But it was nice because when we first got here we were able to eat and then they allowed us to take a nap. Then we started and went right to work... learning Spanish. Which I must say is going to be difficult but I know that the Lord will bless me.

I am so excited to be here and when I got me missionary name badge it was even more amazing! My companion here in the CCM is Hermana King.... isn't that funny! She is from Idaho. How weird that me and Ohi both have had a companion named King. We share a room with natives which is really interesting because I cannot understand everything they are trying to tell me as we try to ask each other questions and have conversations. But everyone here is really friendly and you can tell is ready to do missionary work. I am so excited!

Guatemala is really pretty. Lots of rain, thunder, and green. Although everything has a gate and security surrounding each building. But Guatemala has McDonalds, Dominos pizza, Burger King and all sorts of stuff that they have at home. Although it is so humid out here that I am constantly feeling so sticky! But I will write to you guys when I have more time. I am also writing to tell you that my P days will be on Monday.

Love and Miss you guys,

Hermana Loo