Current Address:

hermana ashtin wilcoxen

mision guatemala este

apartado postal 951-A

Guatemala, Guatemala C.A.

So first I wanted to share an embarassing story because Im sure especially Kelly and Aaron will enjoy it. So here they kiss on the cheek as a greeting, but we can only do it with the women (for obvious reasons) and shake hands with the men. Well no guy has tried to kiss me on the cheek up until this point, so I hadnt really thought about it. Well the other day some guy was talking to us in english about something and then he called some other kid over who apparetnly is learning english. Anywho, its really disconcerting (sp?) when a latino person talks to me in english here because Im not used to it. Anyway, so as theyre leaving the guy leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek and Im not expecting it and so it was just a  natural reaction to do it back but then halfway in I realized what was happening and I like jerked back haha and was like NO PUEDO (puedo means can) haha and my comp was like no, no, no, no. so awk.

We really need to work hard this week because not a single one of our investigators showed up to church (like 10 said they would) and that was so disappointing because one is supposed to be getting baptized and yeah. But we are trying to work hard to find new people and I have hope that we will. Theres a boy that we are teaching and he is so awesome. He is 15 and works in this little store (theyre all behind bars) so that he can provide for his family. He works there everyday, all day and we teach him sometimes when theres not a lot of people around. Its kind of hard through the bars but he has been reading the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets we give him. He is so inspiring. He said he prefers being shut up in there because the few friends he does have in this area dont make the best choices. I really hope his boss will soften his heart and let him come to church.

We are also teaching this older man and he is so ready for the gospel and I love teaching him. He has been taught before and I think whats holding him back is his evangelical roots (heveryone here is evangelical) but I have a lot of hope for him.

I know God answers my prayers and all of our prayers. I have realized in the past couple of days that the mission requires a different kind of faith than what I had. Not different, just more developed I guess. At least for me. Because I have to learn to just talk and trust that God will help me with the language. I have to listen without thinking and hope He will give me what to say next. I have to hope in Him that I can find the people who are ready and not be afraid to talk to them. 

Love you all!

Here are a few pics!

My Distric



My District 

 

 

Current Church

 

A Volcano Lake Visited

 

 

Crowded Bus (got a little burn, it's hot here)

New Address:

hermana ashtin wilcoxen

mision guatemala este

apartado postal 951-A

Guatemala, Guatemala C.A.

HEY FAMILY!!! so I am in the field officially. I am in a polace called Zacapa and it is one of the hottest areas of Guatemala. I literally sweat 24/7. I have never been more grateful for a cold shower in my entire life. Seriously. Theres only one option in the shower and thats col and it is one of the best parts of the day haha. Im actually pretty used to it now and luckily we have fans in our room so I sleep with that on full blast. Our apartment is pretty nice. No bugs, well almost no bugs and its pretty big. A ton better than what I was expecting. 

My companion is Hermana Reyes and she is from the Dominican Republic. Shes so super patient with my spanish, its amazing. she talks pretty slowly to me which is nice. I cant really understand most of what other people say thouhg. I can talk to them but I cant understand...kind of hard to talk when you dont understand haha but you know. The Spirit is really helping me. Prompting me with what to say because I usually only have a basic understanding as to whats being said. I think I understandmy coimp thouhg. And if i dont well...i dont know it haha sooo.

 

I wont lie and say that its been all butterflies and rainbows but we had conference this past weekend and it was SO GOOD. I got to watch it in english, thank goodness and it really  helped me with what I am struggling with. I know I can do this with the Lords help. Everything will be alright.

 

Its really been humbling visiting the people here. They live so humbly. Im more than grateful for my life back home. 

 

Oh cool story. So this lady who is the primary presidency said that she had a dream that her cousin came to church (her cousin is a nonmember) with me because she said she liked the way that I taught. So we are visiting her prima this weekend. Ill let you know how it goes. I really need to pray that I can help though. Im so grateful for the Holy Ghost and the Lord. I couldnt do anything without them. I could not do anything for these people if not for them.

 

Love you all!!