ELDER WHITE LOVES GUATEMALA!

April 29, 2011

Week 9 ½

WOOOOOO I am finally out in the field man I am so excited to finally be here. We got some training from the AP´s on Tuesday and met all the trainers. Than on Wednesday we finally found out where we are going and who are trainers are going to be. I was waiting for what seemed like forever during our change meeting as people were getting called. Finally they got to the last zone and it was Peten. I was so happy! I am so excited to be here in Peten out of the city. It is so awesome.

My trainer is Elder Sakievich from Phoenix Arizona. He has been out 9 months and is an awesome Elder. He is super excited for this work and this is his first time being out of the capital. So we are both in a brand new area for us so we are just trying to get ourselves established in the area. Our area is in a town called San Jose in the Peten area. We get some other towns too but we are living in San Jose. Our area is the farthest away from the capital in the mission woo!

We live in an apartment below a store owned by members. It is a nice apartment, although it is pretty dirty from the last missionaries there. So we are going to have to clean up and make it look good. If you want to find it on Google maps it is a orange building right next to a big old soccer field in the city of San Jose. I am so excited to be in this area.

Yesterday me and my companion did a bunch of contacting trying to get some new investigators. We worked our butts off but it was really good. We tought 3 lessons yesterday, one of which was to a progressing investigador that was already there. The area book which has all the info about the people and area, was not very well filled out so we are gonna have a tough time getting this area going. There are 3 progressings investigators in the book but we have only found 1 so far, we are gonna have to go searching. The people are really friendly here which is awesome.

It seems like the main problem will be with couples who arent married just together. We taught 1 of the progressing investigadors last night about this and read the proclamation to the family with them and taught them about the law of chastity. It was very straight forward and the lady is ready to be married and is an awesome investigador, but the man is just scared to pray. He already knows what he needs to do but he doesnt want to do it and get the answer to his prayers. It is frustrating but we will keep on praying and working with him. It is super hot and humid here man I sweat so much, it looks like ima lose a good amount of weight here.

The area is super hilly too, I can’t ever remember walking up hills as steep as some of the hills in the area. The hills will be the death of me haha. But I am so excited to finally be out and working. I am going to work my butt off and not have one regret I cant believe I am finally out here. It is a little overwhelming but with help from my trainer and the lord I will get through it. I am so excited to finally be working.

My PDays will be on Mondays from now on and hopefully wont change but for now my PDays will be on Mondays. As for mothers day I will be calling next Saturday just to check to make sure it will work. And than on Sunday you guys will call that number that I used. So they advise gettting a phone card. So buy a good long phone card for next Sunday. On Monday I will email you regarding when you should call because I need to work it out with my companion. Well I will email you again on Monday. I love you all so much and thank you for all the support. The reliable address for mail and packages from now on will be.

Misión Guatemala Ciudad Norte

Apartado #951-A

Guatemala, Guatemala C.A.

Love,

Elder White

Elder Whites LAST NIGHT!!!

April 25, 2011

Week 9

WOOOOOOO!! I get out of here tomorrow. I am so excited. I leave the MTC at 8 in the morning here, which is 9 in Texas. I am so excited to finally get out there and do real work. I think I will be staying at the mission home tomorrow night then Wednesday go out to the field.

I am so excited. I really feel prepared to go out and preach the gospel. My Spanish has come along so well, I feel really good about it and feel that I am prepared. I am sure once I get out there I will be super overwhelmed, but man I am ready to just work my butt off. Ready to get lost in the work and to help people be as happy as me. I can´t wait to help people change their lives and come unto Christ.

This past week was Holy Week in Guatemala, the whole country pretty much shut down. It is so cool how spiritual the people in Guatemala are, I have no doubts that the people will be extremely willing to hear the gospel. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation and the perspective it offers.

This Easter Sunday was really good, I am so glad that we know of the real sacrifice that Jesus did for us. I am so grateful for the atonement and the wonderful comfort it brings.

I have heard that in the field my PDays will be on Mondays but I don’t know for sure. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to serve the Lord; it is such an amazing blessing. In the past week I have really learned about the importance of members in the conversion of investigadors. I encourage each one of you to participate in ward missionary opportunities. I encourage each one of you to fellowship with investigadors and new converts. What they need is a friend. I can’t wait to work with ward members and have a support system for my investigadors. I dream of the wonderful day that I will have my first baptism from contact to baptism. I can’t wait to boast of my God like Ammon and the sons of Mosiah. This is a marvelous work that is going forth, the missionaries here are so strong. This is such an amazing work and such an amazing blessing. I am so excited to get out there and teach and help people. Just work, right now all I want to do is work. I can’t wait to go out there and give it my all with my trainer. I am so excited and know that I am in Guatemala for a reason.

I don’t know when the next time I will be able to email will be but I am so glad that I have the support I do. Thank you so much for everything you all do. All mail should be directed to the North Mission address now, it is in the last email I sent out. All dearelders should also be addressed to the North Mission. I love you all so much and thank you for everything,

Love

Elder White

ELDER WHITE 1 MORE WEEK!

April 19, 2011

Week 8

Hola,

Well they did it to us again and gave us a Tuesday P-Day. sigh oh well. I am so stoked to get out of the MTC haha. It has been good for me, but I really have gotten tired of teaching fake people. I am ready to do the real thing. I am thankful for the MTC experience though. I have learned so much and my testimony has been so fortified. It really is awesome. Being in a Latino district has its ups and downs. Ups- I learn so much more Spanish everyday is awesome. Downs- going over stuff I already learned. But oh well overall it has been an awesome experience.

Today was my last time going to the Temple for a while, it really is so awesome. I have attended in Spanish the last 3 times I have gone and have understood it. I really have been blessed with my Spanish I am so thankful. Next Tuesday I am out of here! I cant wait to find out what area I am in. I really am freakin out. I am so excited; it is time for the real deal. I know its gonna be overwhelming but I know that the Lord will always be there to help me.

I got to go out proselyting again yesterday which was really fun. Me and my companion got 5 contacts, none really stuck out to me but who knows. It is Holy Week here in Guatemala for Easter Sunday. The Temple was packed as a result of that haha.

I have gained some weight while in the MTC. Eating and sitting really doesnt help. But I expect to lose a bunch out in the field. I am so grateful for the support I have in y'all it really is awesome.

This past Sunday we had a fireside with the MTC Pres. Man is he awesome. Well anyway we talked about vision and having a vision for life. Man I have screwed up and wasted a lot of that, I have my work cut out for me now. I am starting to read Our Search For Happiness in Spanish now, so far it has been really good. I understand most everything, and I am learning so much from it. I have also been diving into the scriptures, they are so awesome! There is such cool stuff in the scriptures. It really is amazing. I still always go back to Alma 29:1-2 when I think about my favorites. Oh if I were and angel! That is what I am going to strive to be; I will have a voice of thunder. The people need this gospel, they will be so happy to have it. But it is up to me to bring it to them that is my job! How awesome is my calling. Thank you so much for that quote from Elder McConkie, mom! It is so awesome.

One thing I have learned while here, is that missionaries all have the authority. But it is up to us to get the power. Once we have power and authority, we will be amazing missionaries. It is our job to get the power so that we may preach with the Spirit.

Well unfortunately I don’t have a lot to say this week, It was a slow week. Once out in the field I know things will pick up I am so excited!!!!

Well I love you all so much.

Elder White

ELDER WHITE 2 MORE WEEKS!

April 13, 2011

Week 7

Howdy!!

Man I am so excited right now. Thank you all so much for your emails, they are awesome. This past weekend was so awesome!!!! We had 4 general authorities at our sacrament meeting. The entire Area Presidency and Elder Hinckley the son of President Hinckley!!! Man that was so awesome. I got to sit with him at lunch and talk with him, wow, what an amazing man and the Spirit was just emanating from him. It was so awesome. Afterwards we had a devotional from him. Man that was so awesome, we received some insight into his life and the life of his father, how special. He shared a story about his mother and her struggles before her death during conference weekend.

President Hinckley went to the hospital before conference and made her read a sign they had in their house and it was DOn´t quIT. How cool is that the caps spell out DO IT he told her she had to hold on till after conference weekend. Come Tuesday he had one more meeting and he told her she had to wait till after that than she could go. After the meeting he told her, it is ok to go now. Take a little break, but when I get up there we are gonna get back to work!

What a wonderful blessing we have because of our knowledge of the plan of salvation. Another thing he shared was in the temple. It was the occasion of President Hinckley sealing one of his grand daughters. He said "I have sealed all 5 of my children and all 24 grandchildren in the temple, I don’t think there is a finer thing I have done in my life." WOW how awesome is that. It was funny because during his talk I was thinking to myself how he sounded exactly like his father.

Another new thing is my new Latino Companion. Elder Gomez from Panama. Man he is so quiet it is rough. But he is slowly starting to talk more, I am trying to encourage him all day long. This definitely is a test. I love being in a Latino district, I learn so much more Spanish. I am immersed and I am loving it.

I really feel like am will be ready when I get out of here. 2 more weeks!!! woooo! I cant wait. Thank you so much for the easter package it is so awesome, I have been craving some candy haha. From now on my address will be 5ta ave 5-55 Zona 14 Edif. Europlaza, Torre 1 oficina 1202 B. Nivel. 12 Guatemala, Guatemala C.A. That is the address for the mission home. And all dearelders should be addressed to the guat north mission now.

Last night we watched a devotional from Jeffrey R. Holland in the MTC in Jan 11 2011. Man do I love him. His way of chastising us with love. I love it so much. He really inspires me. Well anyway he told the story about Peter after the death of Christ. In the last chapter of John I think. Well anyways he was talking about missionaries who come home and go inactive. Well Peter said I go a fishing. Long story short they meet Christ and he asks 3 times Lovest thou me? every time Peter said yes. Than Christ said feed my sheep. I will always be a missionary. I will never go back to old ways. This is my turning point, and I am called as a missionary till death. It wont always be with the title of Elder but I will always be a missionary.

I am so glad for the opportunity. I really love attending the temple every week. I have gone in Spanish the last 2 weeks which has been fun and I can understand everything. I am so excited.

Ashley!! I am so excited for your decision. Keep me informed how it turns out; I am sending a letter this week. Dad, no sign of the volcano from here. It hasn´t been very clear. I have 2 more weeks and man I am stoked. An Elder from the north mission was here yesterday and he was here for a rabies shot haha. His leg was all bit up from dogs so I am ready to kick some dogs.

Umm last thursday our mission presidents came and visited us. That was really cool to get some insight into the mission. I can´t wait!!!! I am dying here just going crazy. But I know it is for my own good. I can always use more practice.

You guys are awesome, I pray for all of you all the time. I encourage everyone to read Alma 32 I am in love with that chapter right now. Mom I will pray for you and your awesome activity good luck. You are all amazing and keep me going. Thank you so much. I know this Church is true. I know that this is the restored gospel. We have a prophet on this earth. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Testimonies will come to all those who seek it. Don’t expect it to come quick though. It will be like a sunrise. I love you all so much.

Elder White.

ELDER WHITE GETS A NEW COMPANION!

April 5, 2011

Week 6

Hola,

Man this last week flew by. Conference was the most awesome thing ever, I hope everyone watched it. It was the first time I watched all 5 sessions and stayed awake the whole time. I was praying so hard to have the Spirit and to recieve teaching relevant to me. It was so awesome, I am so grateful that my prayers were answered and I got to have personal revelation.

I noticed that I need to have more Quiet Diligence, be more like an apostle of the Lord. I really liked Elder Uchtorf´s talk in Priesthood, where he said that we need to preach the gospel by example. Another quote from there was "Preach the gospel, if necessary use words." How true is that, we need to show what sets us apart, we are lights unto the world. Should we hold our light under a bushel, or let it shine unto the world? We need to be examples of Christians in our everyday interactions.

Another thing I really noticed was about temples. I made the connection that the work I am doing is bringing unto this church so that they may one day receive their endowments. After that they can further the work for the deceased in preparation for the 2nd coming.

I love being a missionary, and I haven´t even taught real people yet. I love my calling and I know that it is the Lord´s work and I was called to Guatemala for a purpose. I love it so much. I encourage all of you to go through every conference talk, I know that as you do you will be blessed and you will have a greater Spirit.

I am on such a spiritual high right now, and I am determined to live worthy enough to mantain that Spiritual high every day. I have started praying a lot more, I am definitely changing so much right now. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to change. I am definitely striving to have a greater testimony and spirit.

I forgot the scripture off the top of my head but it is in i think 2 Nephi 30 maybe. One of those later ones, but anyway it talks about praying to God in all our doings so that he may Consecrate our activity. How awesome is that? We can do anything with his consecration, all we need to do is be doing something righteous, and pray sincerely. I love the many blessings we receive.

Another thing I though about during Conference was regarding pains and trials/challenges. No matter how tough things get I promise you He will never forsake us. We only go through trials because He knows we have room to grow. Also it gives us a better appreciation for the Atonement. Remember, he suffered for all, everything we feel. He knows what we are going through, He will not forsake us. Challenges are for us! They help us appreciate the Atonement and grow as people, and our testimonies grow. How awesome are challenges!

I love this work, and it is work. I love that quote, heard it in Priesthood session, don’t remember who off the top of my head.

This Wednseday I will be getting a Latino comp full time and be in a Latino district. The MTC President gave me the opportunity and I gladly accepted. I am so excited to be fully immersed in Spanish. I will learn so much, and be so ready to teach as soon as I get out of here. I will be extremely fluent, if I work. I know this.

We got to go to the Mercado hoy and do some shopping. I got a soccer jersey of Guatemala so I can fit in. We then went to a mall and also museum. That was super awesome, had Chili’s (man American food is good). The museum there was awesome, a bunch of the history of Guatemala City. It was really awesome, I guess a bunch of people think that the Land of Nephi and city of Nephi were here in Guatemala city so that is awesome. I love Guatemala so much!!!

Only 3 more weeks before I can get out there! I am so excited. My P-Days will still be on Wed. but today just got messed up because of the Mercado. I love you all so much and look forward to hearing from you again. I challenge you all to read the Conference talks, and as you do so ask God to consecrate your activity. I promise that as you do this you will receive a greater appreciation for this gospel and your testimony will be strengthened. I love you all.

Elder David White