So, funny thing about the granola box, last week I got a letter from the Guatemala Post office. They decided to keep that box. No, not really, I guess they randomly pick boxes to go through and search for yummy treats, or just to make sure no one is sending me really awesome stuff. If they decided the contents of the box are worth more than $500 dollars I have to pay a lot for it. I think they'll just feel pretty silly when they open it and find peanut butter and granola. I paid the fine last Tuesday and should get the box next week. How long ago did you send it? I was wondering where it was.
THANK YOU for sending those supplies!!! I am SO SO excited to get them. These things are going to make a real difference in a lot of lives. I want to keep a little list of whom I give what so that when I get home I can tell you a little story about the person that each thing went to. It's probably the best idea for me to buy CD players etc here. I think the VISA card sounds cool. I have my debit card and my credit card...but I don't know my pin. (Some things never change :) ) Hermana McGaughy's family sent her a new Debit card in the mail, because she couldn't remember her pin either. That's a little bit scary. But maybe if you wait till I tell you I have it to put any money in it, then it's safer.
Yay! I'm so glad you got your packages. What things did you all like? What things not so much? What other Guatemalan things would be cool to have? I've been here for long enough that it's hard to tell what things would be fun to have in the States. The typical stuff is just normal to me now. I might come home looking like a rainbow! :) No not really, but what things did you like?
Saturday night my companion and I made some giant pumpkins out of paper and attacked some families with secret treats and instructions to pass it on to another family. It was a lot of fun, and something new to them. I keep running to people that have spent some time in the States. They seem to all carry the same theme, ¨In the States, I learned how to care about more than just myself.'' Service is a new idea for people here, and it was fun to introduce the idea of dropping off treats secretly to their neighbors. We'll see how it goes. The Giant Pumpkins look really cute. I'm learning a lot how to make really cute things with just one box one cheap markers, one box of cheap crayons, one pair of scissors, stick glue and construction paper. It's a good skill to have. Here in Guatemala I get to learn a lot of things that will help me save a lot of money throughout my whole life.We are teaching four people right now:
Abel - 9 year old boy. He is the son of an inactive family. He has come to church with us twice and is reading his scriptures a little bit. We made him a prayer chart. He wants to pray every day but just can seem to remember. His Dad lives in the States and is a member. His Dad wants him to get baptized and so does his mom. The rest of his family is still to afraid to come to church, but on Sunday mornings he is there ready and waiting for us. I think He'll get baptized next Saturday.
Kathy - She's 19. Her whole family has been member for 2 years. They were so excited when we knocked on their door. They said many missionaries have tried teaching her, but for some reason she listens to us. I think it's just the right timing. She LOVES coming to activities, but is afraid to prayer about baptism - I think because she knows what answer she'll get and isn't ready to make the last few changes in her life. We're hoping she'll get baptized on the 6th of November, but she may need some more time. The Young Single Adults are helping us a lot with her. Sometimes they just go over and teach her a lesson all on their own and they always pick her up for activities.
Sarah Elizabeth - She's 24. Her Mom is a Jehovah’s Witness. Her Dad died a month ago. We knocked on her door and she invited us in before we had time to say anything. She told us she'd been looking for an opportunity to learn about the church. We talked about Temples and Baptism, Eternal Families, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. She believed all of it. We set and appointment for two days later and set a time to pick her up for church. Her Mother has since figured out that we're visiting her, and won’t let us in. She tells us she's out of town, but we know she isn't. There is a recently returned missionary that helps us a lot. He knows a little bit of her story and he's going to help us out. Our first meeting she cried a little and told us she really wants to do everything she can to see her father again.
Amanda - She's 23. She's the mom of a little two year old door. She let us in right away as well. Her husbands a member but she told us he's not in good standing. He lives about an hour away from her right now. She's living with her family in a home with six other families. They all look really positive and I hope we can have some more success with her as a means to talk with everyone else that lives there.
Paula - She's 28. Single. Very nice. She has a little nursery for her work. Her home is filled with cribs and cute little babies that just stare at our light hair and blue eyes. She is so nice and would make a wonderful Young Women's president. We haven't taught her much, but she seems positive.
Thank you again SO SO SO much for the packages! I wish I could explain what a big difference those things will make here. There are people that are just hungering for the truth and for little things like that.
I am well, healthy and happy. Yesterday I completed 7 months in the mission. That's long enough that members don't say, ''Oh, so you're still just learning.'' Spanish is going well. It's been a long time since I haven't understood or been understood. People still think I've been on the mission for about a year. Sometimes I feel like it, but at the same time, I'm glad I haven't. It's nice to know that I'll still be here for another year. I love the mission.
That will be such a fun day, when we all get home. I still don't know when I should come home. When does second block start? It would be fun to come home the same day as Daniel, if that's a possibility. Good thing I still have time to figure that all out. I hope everyone stays home from school that day. There are so many things I want to do. It'll be so nice to just have my family around.
Oh, for Christmas, I think with those two packages that are coming, I shouldn't want much. But I would like one or two undershirts and a nice picture of the family that I can hang on my wall.
Oh, I saved that chap stick you sent me for the dry season, I just got it out and I LOVE it. Thanks for sending it. I'm still loving the sprouts and have plenty left. My companions think they're weird. :)
I love you all! Thanks for everything!
-Love, Rebekah
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