December 19, 2011

Ha wow its already almost Christmas...

ps I’m using a keyboard from about 10 years ago and it sucks, but I’m just going to keep this letter short because we will be talking on Sunday!! wooooo!! 

This week we did divisions with the APs and it was really fun. They came to our area and stayed the night in our house. I went with Thacker and my comp went with Williams. We had a good day. I’ll tell you about it Sunday. haha this keyboard seriously feels like I’m using a typewriter. 

Today was zone activity and once again it sucked haha but oh well I’ll live, maybe next change we will do something cool. We will have a new zone leader next change so maybe he will be more into going to Tikal or something that everyone wants to do. 

Haha so I saw a motorcycle crash the other day... once again on the phone I will explain ha. Just make a list of things you want me to talk about on the phone, and we will a have allllllot more time than we had on mothers day. I’ll send you a text message from the phone we are going to use so you have the number. So you will get a text from a 502 number and I’ll tell you when to call. 

Well we had 2 people with baptism dates but one of them fell this week because she didn’t come to church because she got sick and couldn’t walk sooooo hopefully I’m here another change because if not the new missionary in the area will get my baptisms, lame. I just want at least one more change here after this one because next change is where all of it seems to be going.... 

hmmm soo I honestly have nothing to say I’m just gunna save it for Sunday!! Oh ps I celebrated Hanukah this year and opened one gift each day because I wasn’t patient enough to wait till Christmas, jk I haven’t opened anything yet! welllllll, love you all have a great week!!! Can’t wait to talk!!!!!

December 12, 2011

Hey! This week has been one of the fastest weeks in the mission so far.  We worked super hard and had fun, so it was a good week. 

This week we got 12 new investigators and alot of them are looking good. We started working in an area that the closed a while back and became part of our area, and we found all the people they were teaching out there. We also found 2 houses that have pet monkeys ha. 

We have been going out with members and having them take us to their friends houses and we have gotten a mountain of references. We also put a baptism date with one reference (we wanted to put it the 24th so it could be a white Christmas...get it white Christmas with white baptismal clothes...ha) but this Sunday was a temple dedication so our baptismal date had to get pushed to the 31st. The reason is they have to go to church 3 times and she’s only been once so she would only have 2 times by the 24th so we pushed it to the 31st. Her name is Gilma, she’s a reference from a member who only has been a member for 5 months. Gilma had a really good time at church. She’s about 20 years old and she was having alot of problems at home and stuff with her dad and she said when she went to church she forgot about all her problems. 

This week we are planning on putting more baptismal dates with a few others, so it should be another good week. Las Cruces is the area that the mission closed and became ours...so we will be working alot there.   

So Sunday we got to go to the temple dedication session via satellite. It was super cool... so now there are two temples here in Guatemala. It was cool to see how happy the people of Xela were and they told stories about how they were part of the first group of people to go all the way to Arizona just to get to a temple and how they had to save their money and sell beans and rice to get the money to go... and now they have their own temple in their city. Its crazy to think about the sacrifice those people made just to get to a temple.

Haha also a girl that I met in the mission who finished her mission a little bit ago, was directing the music on the satellite session and it was funny to see her. 

So that’s about the majority of what happened this week. 

Oh we also painted a fairly large house. It took us about 4 hours to paint it. It was fun. So yeah that’s about all that happened with week! Worked hard and had fun =] 

This week I don’t have my camera with me again but don’t worry I’ll get you photos soon! 

Love you all, have a great week!!

December 5, 2011

Hey! I’m on the Isla de Flores and its super cool here. The lake is super glassy and perfect for wakeboarding ha, its super touristy here. Haha there is a girl using internet skyping with her boyfriend or something talking about how great it is with him...why doesn’t she go enjoy it and get off of internet...oh well. 

So this week was good, my comp and I started a way to get the members to work with us and presented it at church this Sunday and the members loved it and our schedule is filled with lessons with them. What we are going to do is, if you come out and teach with us you get a point. And for all of the month of December we are going to see who gets the most points and the top 3 win chocolate and a medal that says "member missionary", they are super cool. 

The ways to get a point is, bring a friend to church and introduce us to them, come teach with us, take us to your friends or family’s house that aren’t members. Also the mission has just recently told us that they want members coming with us to teach. And they want us to teach the members how to teach so they teach the lessons and we help. So this week is going to be crazy. Everybody wants to win so it will be a fast month! On Sunday we had one investigator in church and she’s excited. We will be teaching her this week

So today when we were leaving La Libertad, there was a crazy kekchi festival with dancers and costumes. I took some pictures but I didn’t bring my camera cord today. The pictures are sweeeeet.  Today I’m eating pizza hut, I’m excited! Ha. 

I’m excited to see the island here because it’s filled with shops and cool views! So yeah it will be fun. Last Monday, after Sayaxche we basically walked back to La Libertad there wasn’t any jalóns (rides hitchhiking) so we walked forever and this guy gave us a ride but it was only like a mile ride because he was going somewhere else so then we walked again and then like an hour later he picked us up again and took us about another mile and then finally we got a ride in a semi filled with bananas ha. On Thursday my comp hit a year so we had some fun that day. We went to a village in our area realllllly far away haha.  

This week went by super fast and its already Monday again haha. This next week will go by even faster because we are going to be super busy. Well I’m going to end this email and try to talk back and forth with you guys loveee you!! Have a good week.

November 28, 2011

Hello! Changes were on Tuesday and I have a new comp, his name is Elder Saenz (signs) from Nicaragua. My last comp Bravo had a change to a close area here in Peten. The day of changes was a lil crazy. Everybody who was getting a new comp or a change went to the zl’s house, then the zl said where your going. Well my new comp was coming from the Capital and I had to wait the whole day out until the bus got there at 12am. 

Since I didn’t have a comp I went with Jennings, the zl, and the other zl went with Miller. I stayed in Jennings area and Miller and the other zl went to Miller’s area. The day with Jennings was really fun we had good lessons and put two baptismal dates. We also cut down and hauled a giant tree. We ate burger king for lunch and I got Simpson’s toys haha. We had to go to the bus station 3 times to pick up and send off elders. Also from 9pm till 12am we waited at the bus station for the new elders from the Capital. Then that night we stayed the night at the zl’s house with all the new elders to Peten. Also two other North Americans came up and they both have less time in the mission than me. It's weird to see people with less time then me. One of them is new new... like he just left the CCM and this is his first change in the field. When he got off the bus he looked so lost and confused ha ha poor guy had 9 hours in bus his first day in the field haha. 

Elder Saenz has 11 months in the mission and will have 12 this Thursday. I knew him from before, he was in my zone in the capital and had about 6 months when I came in. So I was excited to have a comp that was someone I knew from before. Also he told me that at changes when they said my name for his comp a few of his friends from my last zone were jealous cause they wanted to be with me haha. So I’m glad people want to be with me and I’m not some elder that people cross their fingers not to get…

So far everything has been a lil crazy here in the Libertad with my new comp. His second day of being here a member that was about 70 years old-ish hung him self from a tree in this land that his sons share. I met the man a few times but nothing much. So we’ve been slammed with services, dedications, and more services. Yesterday was the last service and I’m glad it’s all over! We’ve been singing so much at everything I’ve just about lost my voice and my throat is dry. Also we’ve been singing alot for choir practice because there was branch conference and the choir needed more guys so we got slammed sinnging all day 3 times a week for a month. But branch conference passed and now I don’t have any more singing for a while! 

Branch conference yesterday was nice. There were 3 guys from the district of San Benito that came to talk and after I went up to them to introduce myself.  They asked me how much time I have in the mission and I said 7 months and they didn’t believe me. They told me that I speak Spanish at the same skill as a missionary with about 18-20 months. Spanish compliments are a great thing to get, makes you feel more comfortable. 

Well I feel like all the craziness has died down so my comp and I can get back to regular work! We have a really good idea for getting members to give references and come out and teach with us. We will be starting this idea the first of December. 

My wrist is killing me because my stool is really high and this computer is low so I’m done typing haha. Well I’m going to read your email mom and then maybe reply to some of that… 

(reading email) haha bridal shower stuff sounds crazy...I still feel way to young for that type of stuff I cant believe Lindsey is getting married, haha she’s one of my first friends to get married...and she’s getting married to my other friend haha. 

As for the mosquito net, I actually got a free one today from an elder who didn’t want his and had a change (thanks Elder Mitchell).   

Thanksgiving wasn’t bad...I was like oh today is thanksgiving and we went to the members house that always feeds us and the food is either something really good and a bunch of choices and flavors or sometimes its beans and cheese with tortillas. Well I got thinking about all the thanksgiving food and got super hungry and then she brings out beans with tortillas... I had no desire to eat cause my mind was on turkey and candied yams.... but who cares! Haha. Here in Peten I eat lots of beans and eggs, it’s like one meal beans and eggs and the next meal will be chicken and soup and veggies and fruits. So I eat one meal good and the other meal beans... Well I’ve lost 6 pounds since I’ve been in Peten...when I started the mission I was 6 foot 160lbs. When I got to the field still 160, when I got to Peten 160, now I’m 154 and 6 foot. I don’t know from where I’m losing weight but I hope its nothing bad haha. Well that’s all I have for now. Love you all and have a great week!!!

Baptismal pictures from Nov. 5th 2011

Our baptism picture of Maria F--n-d-z, the little girl she's 9 and her family are all members but she never got baptized. We aren't in baptism clothes cause her mom came super late and we had to take the picture after I did the baptism.

Almost all the people that came from the branch, well the ones that were patient enough to take a photo after.

November 21, 2011

I sent alot of pictures I hope you got them all.  Today so far I’ve sat in the back of a truck for a few hours to get to Sayaxhe and use internet... after we are going to play soccer.   

Yesterday we had a satellite conference for all of Guatemala and it was super cool that Hermana Torres was directing the hymns. Also Elder Holland scripted some Spanish and memorized it and was like ok my Spanish is horrible I’m going to speak English and you can enjoy the perfect translation. Then when he was done he started bearing his testimony in Spanish and started using perfect grammar and went off and you could tell it wasn’t scripted. So you could tell his Spanish is actually good or he had the gift of tongues coming in really strong. Maybe if the whole mission was like him we wouldn’t have a bunch of gringos who cant speak Spanish and have 20 months in the mission (yes it happens) missionary moms out there I promise I’m not talking about your kid, maybe. haha.  The conference was also cool because alot of my friends in Peten were there too.   

We have one good family we are working with but they aren’t coming to church so who knows if they really are that great. We’ve been working in La Libertad only and I think we are going to start working our way out to some villages like I did in Palencia with Los Cubes. My area here is huge I have all the way to Mexico so I’m sure we can find something good! So maybe I’ll have some good stuff to talk about soon!   

The weather has been nice, for Peten.  It rains a lil bit and that burns off the heat and then the clouds chill for a lil and then you don’t have the sun trying to melt your skin off, haha. Oh so get this... when our house flooded our phone went with it, but our sim card still worked. Well our zls put our sim in a phone and it blocked it because the phone wasn’t activated. So we had to wait to get the code from the office to unblock it.  After 5 weeks we get the code, (who knows why it took so long) and the code doesn’t work. So I call the APs and say dude the code doesn’t work what’s up?... and he says oh let me give you another one and gives me some random code. Helllllllo! Don’t you know that each sim card has a special code and it only work for that one. You can’t give me the code from a different sim. So now that sim doesn’t work and they are sending us a new one... maybe I’ll have a phone again soon. Well that’s my joke story I have for you today. 

All is well here in La Libertad and we are doing good. I think I’m out of time because my district leader is giving me funny looks hahahahah so I’m gunna go now I love you all and thanks for all your support! Have a good week!

November 15, 2011 (Tuesday)

Well as you know p-day was yesterday, but things didn't line up to well for using Internet. So I'm using Internet today. What happened is the zls in San Benito had stuff for our district and the district leader is supposed to pick that stuff up. Well our district leader is lazy and didn't want to do it and told us to do it because our house phone is finally ready...so he made us go way out of the way to get the stuff he’s supposed to.  It wasn't that big of a deal until we got to our district leaders house in Sayaxche and he wasn't there and we waited there for hours...and we wasted a whole day. 

At least we still got to play soccer...so we finally got a phone again...oh wait it doesn't work cause the zls accidentally blocked our sim card. Ha.   

Changes are coming up this Sunday...maybe I’ll get a new zl or 2. Elder H------- my district leader goes home next week so I'm getting a new district leader for sure.  Also my comp will probably have a change but you never know.   

This week was slow we only had a few lessons and no investigators came to church.  It’s been really hot and walking around all day hasn't been the most fun thing in the world, but I’ll live.  I don't think I was drinking enough water, actually I know I wasn't. But now I'm drinking 1 or 2 Gatorade's a day and aloooot of water. This letter is coming out really slow because I'm talking to all of you right now haha.  Lets see what else to talk about.   

All the members here just went to the temple and 2 couples got sealed. They were all really happy. This week is district conference so everybody will be going out to San Benito for church. I'm not sure but I think alot of my friends here in Peten will be there too. So it will be cool to see them. Ok this is probably the most boring letter ever so I’m going to end it. Also mom you don't have to worry about me not being momed…Hermana Watts emailed me asking me how my house is and if I have a new bed and also told me to wear mosquito repellent. That’s all for now… Love you all have a good week!! I’ll talk to you all on Monday and tell you about changes!

November 7, 2011

 Woooooooooooooooooooooo it’s a week of good news!
First good news was we had a baptism but it was kinda cheating cause she was only 9 but the way things worked out it counted as a baptism for the elders not the branch and I did the baptism which was super cool. I have pictures but I'll send them next week. So yeah all went well with that and she was super excited!
After that we went over to buy our beds. They gave us 800 to buy beds cause we said that was the cheapest and when we got there they were on sale for 500... I’m talking quetzals not dollars haha.  So finally my first night in a bed comes... a very much waited for night!
Well Presidential elections were the next day and out neighbor cooked all night for the party and we didn’t sleep much...so Guate has a new Pres now... Otto Perez Molina, and the whole country went nuts when he won! But that night was good cause I got to sleep.

After that it's p-day and it was zone activity. We went to San Andres (other side of the lake) it was cool there but not as cool as Tikal or something.  All we did was play soccer and eat on the lake shore. Everyone was calling it a beach, but I was like sorry... this is a lake, not an ocean. 

Isla de Flores

Right now we are on the Isla de Flores, Island of Flores and its super touristy here its kinda like Hawaii.  If you ask me zone activity was just ok but whatever I’ll live… and it sounds like Tikal is next on the list. The fun thing today was just hanging out with Elder Way and Elder Payne.
So we are living in the house with beds, and I don’t think there is black mold... how could I check? But now that I actually get good sleep, I’ll be a lil more motivated to work harder :) haha
What you said about Janae... that’s exactly what Way and I talked about today... it is hard to be a missionary and get used to living like this. Elder Way was saying how he never wants to study cause he’s 26 and has been out of school forever and just can't get motivated to study...which I find hard too but I do it haha. The thing that gets me is the freedom, but its not that bad especially with this comp I’m having alot more fun.  So Janae isn’t the only one haha... Elder Way is crazy today, jokingly he was like man if I don’t want to be here anymore I’m so just going to live here in the jungle and leave all my stuff with my comp and run away. Which is funny cause he could totally do it cause he’s a super outdoors man and can make anything from nothing haha.
Right now for investigators we have a good family that live pretty far from La Libertad so it’s hard to get them to church but they are good still. The branch is going to the temple this week and it was really cool to see these people who don’t have money work extra hard to get to the temple for the first time, and there are a few getting sealed.  So I’m happy for all them working hard and then taking a 10 hour bus just to get to the temple!
I’m getting a lil worried about how hot it gets here... I’m always hot and stuff and the people here are saying its pure Christmas weather and its cold. They wear jackets and drink hot drinks all day... so if I’m here in March and April I might melt!
I love the showers they only are a pcp pipe sticking out of a wall and the coldest water shoots out but supposedly in the summer the water comes out hot so if its hot and the water is hot.... I might melt haha. Well that’s all I have this week.  Everybody who has a bed remember to enjoy your bed cause a month without a bed is pretty crappy!! But I have one now!! Love you all! Have a good week!!!

Elder Asdel lives in La Libertad

location of P-day activity

San Andres is at the most northern lake

 *All pictures in this post were found on the internet by Dana

October 31, 2011

Ok ok today I’ll do my best to responding to all the questions. Um yes we get the Liahonas and you don’t need to send them. My guess for if I will be with the same comp for Christmas is no. He has 3 changes here and you normally leave after your forth...normally...you never know, I could even have a change. But if I had to take a guess it would be I stay he leaves. My comp right now doesn’t really need anything he’s about to go home after Christmas and mostly everybody ditches all their clothes and leaves it with members who need it. If you want buy some beef jerky or snacks for my comp for Christmas all Latinos ask the North Americans for jerky so maybe some snacks and some random toy idk. As for what I want in a Christmas package would probably just be stocking stuffers and something new to play with with my hands. I love my magnetic balls I’m glad I brought them but I want something new too. Hmm I think I hit all the questions...probably not. But I’m going to continue with my letter...

Well good news the river went down about 5 feet so some house are reappearing from the water. This week was slow for work. We have a baptism of a 9 year old girl that counts as a baptism but its not quite what I’m looking for haha but I’ll be looking forward to Saturday....haha 

So Sunday... the primary teacher bailed early and we had to teach 2 hours to the primary kids...which is funny cause you didn’t teach this week.. But wow trying to teach and keep calm and not get annoyed in there is super hard.  I hope I never have that calling haha so sorry for your calling mom!....

So our zls are getting on my nerves...two weeks ago we were asked to search for new beds and tell the zls the prices and then they call the office and the office Elders put the money on our cards so we can buy them...well today we asked the office Elders what’s up if the money is on, and they told us our zls never called them...so the office elders were like well what are the prices we will put it on right now. Something that takes 5 mins didn’t happen for 2 weeks because of our dumb zls and I don’t care if the zls moms read this cause your kid is blowing it. So I will have the money available Friday and be buying a new bed. I’m pretty used to sleeping on the floor but a bed will be nice. 

leaving Sayaxche

The picture I’m sending this week is from the drive home last week from Sayaxche. We don’t like paying for the bus cause its expensive so we just stick the thumb out and hope for luck. Well this picture was shot from the inside of a Lays chips semi haha. 

I’m being eaten alive up here by mosquitoes but don’t worry an Elder recently got dengue and had to be changed to the Capital for his health ha.  I talked to the kid who got dengue he’s from SD he’s a surfer kid and told me Andy Irons died from drug od so the dengue was a cover up. So don’t be so scared of the dengue, but its still dangerous. So the new rule is we all have to get mosquito nets, mosquito smoke and some other crap...which will be nice cause I’m sick of all the bites. Well idk what else to blab about see yaaa! Love you!!

October 24, 2011

 Welllll... we are still living in the church and looking for a new house ha!
The floodwaters have risen about a foot. We are getting money for brand new beds this week.  I like sleeping on the floor so it doesn’t really bother me.  La Libertad is super cool I love it here, and the members are awesome too.  My comp is great we get along super good.  Everybody here is complaining about the cold but its been hot. So I’m scared for when the real heat comes haha.
The floods in La Libertad are gone but the river by Sayaxche is way way way too high still and isn’t going down for a long time, but its cool.  My pictures today are from Sayaxche
 I don’t really know what to write about right now.

Sayaxche River

La Libertad is very flat, dirt roads.  I think we are going to move back into our house tomorrow. Its dry and we cleaned it. There are no houses available to rent right now so I guess we will have to wait until we can find one. Today for p-day we are going to play soccer with local kids and its super fun.  I feel like next week's email will be better because this week we’ve been doing the same ol stuff with the flood and everything, but soon it’ll be back to normal. I’m going to end this email short and try to send more pictures! Love you all, talk to you soon!

Elder Asdel in Sayaxche

Flooded public bathrooms

Sayaxche River

Flooded banks of Sayaxche River

October 18, 2011 (Tues)

Ok ok ok well I’m here in my new area and everything has been crazy since the day I left Palencia. Lets start out with that day, we woke up at 5 am and left to get to changes by 9 am. All the bridges were broken in Palencia and leaving was almost impossible. After that we finally made it to changes (late) and we sit down and they start calling changes. They start by calling all the areas of the Capital and then call areas of Polochik, Coban and Peten. Well they finished all the Capital and then I realized I’m leaving the Capital yes!!! They went though all and last was Peten. I’m here in Peten with my new comp from Nicaragua Elder Bravo in the area La Libertad. My area is one of the farthest out and we have all the way to Mexico, its a huge area. 

Elder Asdel & Elder Way on bus to Peten

The bus to get here was crazy... more than 9 hours in the bus. Then I spent the night at the zls and in the morning my comp picked me up and we went to La Libertad.
From here on is where it gets crazy... We visited some members and that was good and then it started to rain...hard! So we took a took took home (3 wheeled taxi) and went to bed. Well at about 2 am my back was getting wet and I thought it was sweat cause here in Peten its hot! Then I realized it was a puddle of water.  I thought it was coming in the window cause it was open... but nope nothing. From there I look down and my house is filled with water about ankle deep.  I wake up my comp and tell him that we were flooded.  All my stuff was still packed and on the ground so we go and move our stuff higher up. And by now the water is about knee deep and alllllll my stuff is soaked. We got all our stuff higher up and then didn’t know what to do, so we decided to call the Branch President. Well our phone was floating and not working so we took the sim card out and asked our neighbors if they had a tigo phone we could borrow. Then we called our Branch Pres and he came over and was like "Elders come with me the Sister Reina her house is filled". So at 2:30 am we left and started taking stuff out of members houses until about 6:00 am.  After we took all our stuff to the church to dry it out.

Elder Asdel

Since then we’ve been living in the church and hopefully moving to a new house tomorrow, all of this area is extremely flooded and there are houses underwater. I have a ton of photos so you’ll be able to see when I get a chance to send all of them. When we got to the church at 6amish we went to sleep and somebody knocked on the door and was like elders I have breakfast come eat, this member has been super nice she’s fed us breakfast lunch and dinner everyday since this has happened. And her house was one that flooded too.

Check out the fan stand to see the depth of water

Look at the water marks on the walls and table

Here in Peten I’ve slept in a bus, a cot at the zls, the floor of church, and a hammock above flood water.  But Sunday night we had to go to San Benito to have zone conference, on Monday and Sunday night I slept in a hotel in a giant bed!

Elder Asdel

At the zone conference, Elder Amado from the Area Presidency was there and super mad at the zls for never coming out to help us and for telling us we can live in the same house. Elder Amado told us we have to change houses and get all new stuff.  The zls are mad cause they have to help us. Pres Watts didn’t hear from our zls what happened, he heard from Pres Baños of the Area Authority who called the Branch Pres of La Libertad to ask if everyone here is ok. The Branch President said yea and told Pres Baños that the Elders flooded. And Pres Baños told Pres Watts... then Pres Watts called the zls and got mad at them for being dumb.  I’m glad the area authorities are on my side and helping us.  And the zls tried to get mad and my comp and I for having bad communication with them, which is dumb cause I called them every night.

La Libertad, Peten, Guatemala

La Libertad, Peten, Guatemala

Right now all is good and I love my new area.  Hermana Watts is helping us get new beds and everything for our new house and everything should be normal again soon! Love you all! And I’m happy to be out of the Cap and in Peten!

October 10, 2011

Tengo cambio! or in English I have a change! I'm leaving Palencia on Wednesday and I'll be in my new area that night... unless I go super far I won't get there till Thursday. Well yeah, I'm excited to leave here if you couldn't tell. Also it will be nice to be out of my first area and start my second and I'll finally feel like I have some experience!

So far I've just packed and went to Hermana Caty's for lunch today to celebrate my birthday and the birthday of Hermana Gatica. She turned 24 yesterday. 

I'm getting another bag to pack into cause I have more stuff than came with. And Hermana Gatica is selling me her old one for about 6 dollars ish. She wants to give it to me free, but I can't take it for free haha. 

This week we had interviews with president and all went good, but fast. We didn't really talk much, he just asked me how my Spanish is doing and I told him I'm very comfortable with my Spanish. The work in my area is sllloooow. That is one reason I'm excited to leave. As of right now I don't really have anything to write about work wise. But next week I'm sure I'll have new people.   

Supposedly the roads are blocked to leave from both ways right now so getting to changes might be hard. But we will figure it out. Alot of kids from my group have changes and I might be comps with one of them which would be super cool. Tonight I'm going to hang out with the Diaz family and tomorrow I probably will also... haha. They are my favorite family here if you couldn't tell. 

This week flew by fast I keep wanting to write about last week but I already wrote about that and can't think of anything to say about this week haha. Well I'm going to end this email like this... sorry I don't have much to say this week but next week I should! Alright bye! Love you all!! Wish me luck for a good new area!!

October 3, 2011

Haha sooo I finally made it to Tikal Futura! Haha and it was not easy! 

So a few nights ago the bridge to Palencia broke in a big storm and we learned that its really hard to get out into the Capital. When we were going to conference we waited for a bus for about 20 mins and none came. Luckily a member passed by and said  "Elders there’s no bus! Come with us the back route!" So we went with them and it took a few hours and we finally made it...late.  So that was Sunday. So now, Monday knowing the bridge is out we figured well we will just walk and ask for hitchhikes until we make it. So we ended up finally making it after about 3 different hitch hikes and yea we made it to where the zone wanted to meet up before. Well they already left… so we were like ok we're already  this far lets ask how to get there by bus. So 2 hours later and a few different busses we made it! Ha.. Tikal Futura is in the south mission. There was some sister missionaries that I met on a bus one day when I was in the CCM and it was cool to talk to them again. Also there was 1 other zone from my mission that has 3 Elders from my group that I haven’t seen since the CCM and it was awesome to see them. We also went and bowled which was super fun! So finally I have made it to Tikal Futura! 

Other than that the huge storm basically destroyed all the roads and they are filled with mud and trees. There was a bunch of mud slides and when we were coming home from conference a semi got stuck in the mud and we had to wait for about a hour before it got out! And then we could pass. Times have been a lil crazy here in Palencia but its fun. I like when things are a lil out of the ordinary.   

The work in my area is slooooooooooow I’m ready to leave this area and start over somewhere else. All my investigators hit the same wall and it sucks. V-ct-r R-d-s is amazing he knows more about the church than half the members and wants to be baptized but wants to wait till his wife wants to also and she wont even listen to us. She just laughs and walks away.  I’m sure he will be baptized but I just wont be here to see it. But I found him and taught him so I'll take some of the credit when he does ha. Changes are coming up and I will know if I’m having a change Sunday. I’m hoping for one.  It sucks cause I love the D--z family and some others so I don’t want to leave but I want to get out somewhere where the work is a lil better. And every body says Palencia 2 is a hard area. * But I’m having fun even though I’m not seeing results. Don’t think I’m discouraged cause I’m not, just gunna keep working. 

I feel like Morgan’s b-day always comes realllllly fast after mine but this time it was suppppppper fast hopefully she has a good one today and got my present!! Well I’m gunna end this now. Love you all thanks for everything. And if you just read this go write me a letter here’s my address

Elder Jake Asdel

Mision Guatemala Ciudad Norte

Apartado 951-A

Guatemala, Guatemala CA

September 26, 2011

Hello hello! Its Monday again, as you know last week our activity got switched once again to go to Tikal Futura, a mall in the capital. Well we didn’t go once again hahaha it was a normal p-day. Apparently we are going next Monday but who knows haha. 

This week was my first birthday in the mission and it was super fun. The day before I got two packages one from you and one from Alyssa. So in the morning I opened up my packages and ate/played with my new stuff. Thank you for the food, junk food, toys, clothes, and the iPod :) the iPod is great, I finally have some music to listen to and I can use that stuff for studying too. And all the pictures are super cool too. You and Alyssa both sent me cake mix, and I haven’t had the time to go up to the church and use the oven to cook them. Hopefully this week I can, I'll take pictures. The day of my birthday we hung out with the D--z family. They are an awesome family and super cool. You could stick them in the states and they would fit in ha. 

Marvin (the dad) has been inactive for about a year because of something that happened with other members. But we've been developing a good friendship with him and he went to church yesterday and everyone in the branch was happy to see him there. In priesthood we were talking about missionary work and we were talking about all the less actives and he was giving all the advice and everything. It was kinda like he hadn't missed a day of church and still was in the loop. After we had made a list of all the menos activos he said don’t forget my son Kevin, he's less active and I want him back here too. So hopefully we can get Kevin to start coming again and then that will be the whole family. 

This week for the work was crapy. The biggest success was Marvin in church. All our investigators were busy, except Victor R-d-s he's amazing. We went to his house on Saturday and he said I just got home and I need to rest but I'm going to church tomorrow and we can have a lesson here on Monday. He's been in church 3 weeks in a row now and likes it alot.  He's now eligible for baptism but he wants to wait till his wife is ready and that's going to be the hard part. But when Victor is baptized he's going to be a strong member. He already understands everything better than half the members ha ha. He's a smart guy. 

As for the rest of my birthday I didn't buy a cake because I don’t like the cakes they sell here in Palencia and they are expensive so I bought some yummy bread. The other missionaries came over to the D--z’s and everybody sang happy birthday for me. After that we ate the bread and had some 7up. So don't worry I had alot of fun on my birthday :) 

Birthday Celebration at D--z home

Thank you mom and Alyssa for the packages. The packages were really funny. Mom yours was filled with things I've always liked or things I've liked since I was little, you could tell you've known me for 20 years.  Then Alyssa's was more things I liked recently or had just started to like and I could tell she got to know me really well for 1 year of dating.  I really enjoyed the differences in the boxes. So thank you for knowing me how you know me :)

haha also u guys both put in chap-stick, a cake with candles, and glowsticks haha. The glowsticks were the same brand and everything that was pretty funny. 

Once again thanks for making my bday a good one:) 

and thanks for forwarding me all my happy birthday wishes :) 

love you all talk to you again soon!

September 19, 2011

 Hey! This week was good... it also flew by.  My new comp and I get along good and my Spanish is getting better and better.
I can’t believe it's my birthday.  I feel like yesterday I was spending my birthday with Alyssa and then flying home to spend it with you.  Time flies.  I'm also coming up on 6 months in the mission.  The first milestone ha.  It still feels like I have no time in the mission and I have no idea what I'm doing still. But I've heard that feeling never goes away,  and if it does you’ll stop learning. Ha ha. But I'm sure by the time I have 23 months I'll feel like I’ve got some time :) 
This week was slow/bad for teaching one of our possibilities something happened between him and his wife, and he got kicked out of the house.  And our others don't progress anymore.  But we still have one really good investigator that wants to be baptized and has been to church 2 weeks in a row.  The only thing is he wants his wife to be ready too and she doesn't even want to sit and listen to us... so yeah I'm not quite sure on that. 
Lately the weather has been raining everyday. Ha.
Sunday was branch conference and there was a bunch of people... almost felt like a ward not a branch ha. After sacrament, during second hour, the primary teachers asked Elder H--- and I to go into the primary and answer questions because they were teaching about preparing on going on a mission and H--- basically can't speak Spanish so I was answering all the little kids questions, which was fun ha.

Hmm well P-day got switched back to Monday (today) and next Monday we are supposed to go to Tikal Futura, the mall we were supposed to go to last change... so maybe I'll finally get to go ha ha. Tomorrow I have good plans for my birthday with the family Diaz, they are the go to cool family you can just relax at their house and have a good time.  So I’m taking a cake over there tomorrow to celebrate so don’t worry tomorrow will be great.  Also last night I called the zone leaders and told them if I have packages to bring them tomorrow cause sometimes mail sits at their house.  Well guess what I have two packages by my feet right now, one from the family, and one from Alyssa! Thank you guys I love you all!
Today I’m going to try to go to Mega Paca and find some new stuff so yea I’m going to be using my paypal card.  I found an 80 dollar banana republic shirt last week for 15 qs which is less than 2 dollars, brand new never used.  Tell everyone thanks for all the birthday wishes.  I love you! Have a good week!

September 12, 2011

Hello! Its already P-day again wow! This week was a slow workweek, but still went by fast. Friday we had zone meeting and for zone activity this change is temple trip. (Every other change if you're in the Capital) And when we go to the temple its on Tuesday. So zone activity is Tuesday the 20^th of September or also known as my birthday. So that means I get P-day and temple on my birthday! So I look forward to getting to email you on my birthday! 

Right now we have one family progressing. All the others hit a wall. But Familia Rodas is progressing and they understand what we teach! Victor Rodas and his daughter came to church on Sunday and liked it a lot! 

Sunday was a boring day, after church we had to go home and sit in the house all day because Sunday was elections for their President and I guess it gets really dangerous. Ha they sent soldiers out to keep things in order and we got a ride to church from them. The truck had 7 soldiers with machine guns in hand and 2 missionaries Ha! Well that's about all! Love you! Have a good week!

September 5, 2011

 Hello! Changes were Wednesday, and I have a new comp! :)

My new comp is from El Salvador and doesn’t speak any English. But everybody has been telling me my Spanish is really good. So yea... everything is going good. His name is Elder Gonzalez. He is also helping me learn K’ekchi.  He has been out for 17 months.

This week has been slow for teaching. Mostly, all I was doing was showing him the area. 

Change conference was fun. I got to see some people from my group and talk with them. I can’t believe that its September… Where did being 19 go? That was a fast year. Right now all is going good. I’m having fun working with my new comp and we get along well and we’re always laughing and joking around which makes things more fun. Don’t have a whole lot to say this week, just filling you in on my new comp. Hope all is well back home! Love you!

August 29, 2011

Hello Hello! Jezz Mondays come around fast. First off Monday we were supposed to go to this mall called Tokal Futura and bowl and stuff for a zone acitivity, but our zone leaders messed it up and we didn’t go, so hopefully today.
Lets see if I can get you up to date, our families out in Los Cubes are still progressing but not as much.


This week was Hermana Gaticas 50 something birthday and Elder Rowan and I bought her a light and an extension cord to run out to their kitchen, because she uses candles. But not anymore... and she was really happy :) Also we baked her a cake and they made dinner :)


We have 1 new family and we invited them to a baptism, and they came all the way from Los Cubes. And the girl getting baptised didn’t show up. So that was dumb. Sunday we had nobody in church. But finally we have a branch mission leader, so that will help us :)


Changes are Wednesday, Elder Garcia is going home. My comp is most likely going to a new area. My guess is that Huels and I stay here and we get new comps. I’ll let you know all that happens next Monday. That’s all for this week.
Love you!

August 22, 2011

Hello Family! Once again this week has flown by! Monday we went and searched for a waterfall but the people who took us had no idea where they were taking us, so we basically hung out by a river. After that it was a normal P-day. Tuesday we went out to Los Cubes with Magda Diaz (member) and we just taught our regulars. They are progressing well but one said that she heard a voice say “ No estas preparada” (“you aren’t ready”) and now she doesn’t want to be baptized until that voice tells her she is ready… I was thinking we should just go over while she’s sleeping and whisper to her :) just kidding. We are going to teach her exactly what the requirements are for baptism and see what she thinks she faults. Wednesday was crap day, but I did eat a chicken foot (by choice) for the first time and it was good! So if you have the chance - do it! I know Dad ate a lot in his mission, did he like them? Thursday was just a normal day nothing stood out. Friday we went to Los Cubes and only a few of our invs were there but we still taught 2 lessons. Afterwards we went to the Gatica’s and made them Lacky omelettes :) Saturday there was a baptism of a guy named Ramon. He’s been an invs for almost a year and it’s been a long road for him and his family. His family got baptized a few weeks ago but Ramon had to wait on approval from Salt Lake. And he got it! So the baptism happened. He lives in the area of the other 2 missionaries here in Palencia. Other than that we really didn’t do anything Saturday. Sunday we didn’t have invs in church. After church we went out and worked a little, but not really. Other than that it was a good week. I was going to answer some of your questions but I forgot which ones. Also I’m sending you a package mom that has a birthday present for Morgan, two shirts that I bought here but I want when I get home and something for Dad. Also I have something for you in mind but I need to get the right color! That’s all, LOVE YOU ALL!

August 15, 2011

Hello hello! Where are my weeks going? I can't even remember what happened it all is going by so fast, but I'll start with Monday.
Monday we went to mega paca (a huge thrift store) it was cool I got some new ties and a new sweater, alot like the hooded one Alyssa bought me if you remember that one.
Tuesday, ummmm I have no idea.
Wednesday we went out to Los cubes and everything went well. All our invs out there are progressing well and I'm sure I'll have my first baptisms soon. 
Thursday we worked with a menos activo. We watched a movie with him and all went good. Plus he and his family came to church for the first time in years. After that all our citas fell.  But in the night it started raining really really hard with lightning striking right over us...about ten mins later I look outside and our house was about to flood... that's what the picture of all the water is ha.
The next day... Friday we had a zone meeting. Rowan and I went an hour early so we could get McDonalds breakfast... Soooooo good!! The zone meeting was kinda boring it was about things we are already doing but that's ok cause like getting out of Palencia and going down to the Cap.  After that we went out to Los Cubes again and worked with our invs out there, all went well again. 
Saturday was a day of nothing ha. I feel like when we don’t go out to Los Cubes are days are crap. Sunday let's see... Sunday was fun, Pres Watts and Hermana Watts came to do a interview with one of Garcia and Huel's invs and while he did the interview we went to primary with Hermana Watts and it was really fun she was loving it. The primary was practicing their play for Wizard of Oz and it was really funny. After that, they left and we continued with the rest of church. After church... alllll of our citas fell and we did basically nothing. Well that's my week! On to the next one! Love you all!