Feliz Navidad | week 63

This week I sent both boys a list of questions to answer. I am highlighting the questions. A very interesting read!


Hey Guys!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew coming at you guys a little later today! Wasn't able to write in the morning. Im glad you guys are doing well and enjoying all the Christmas Activities. And what is this with opening one present a day hahaha. And Zach is heading to Disneyland woohooo! Thats funny because this afternoon I was just talking to one of the elders in the Zone about disneyland haha. 

Ok I would love to answer your questions for ya!

Where am I serving? Right now I'm in an area called asuncion. Its in the zona 5 of Guatemala, City. We do a lot of walking. There are three parts to our area. One part called Santo Domingo where most of the members live. Lots of hills and don't houses haha. La Chacara is the ghetto area. Not the most pleasant place to hang out but we have investigators there and some member families. Compared to my other areas its pretty similar to llano largo. Pretty humble settings but there are some residential areas that are a lot nicer too.

Apartment? We live in a little first story apartment. Its pretty simple got a little kitchen study room and bedroom. The bathroom is super small hahaha You can practically take a shower, brush your teeth and clean the toilet all at the same time haha

Food? and My favorite? I love the food here in Guatemala. They eat ALOT of black beans, eggs and chicken. One dish I love is called caldo de pollo. They make it in many different ways but its soooo good.

Craziest thing that has happened to me? Hmmm well I have some good stories for when I get home. Thats a really hard question to answer. Probably when one of my companions woke up screaming my name in the middle of the night telling me that there was people in our house. haha. I will have to explain that one later on hahahah.

Best thing about the mission? Another tough one. I love helping these people grow closer to the Lord and find the peace they are looking for. Experiencing that and seeing people change just never gets old. 

Hardest thing about the mission? Working through trials and having patience with yourself, the people and your companion hahah.

What have I learned most? I have learned that our Father in Heaven loves each one of his children individually and that we must trust him. Accept his will in our lives and love EVERYONE!

Am I doing things I never thought possible? Yes haha. I never really thought that I would be able to walk around in a foreign country, speak their language, and help others come unto Christ. I always tell my comps that I feel like someone is behind me pushing me all the time. I don't understand how I get up in the mornings ready to take one a new day of challenges. The Lord blesses his missionaries with His strength. I marvel at it every day.

Hows my spanish? Well I definitely know the language. I still learn lots of new words. Most of them are obscure uncommon words that you don't normally hear. I feel really comfortable and for most of the week Im thinking, dreaming and talking in spanish. My english has taken a hit hahah I still have a lot to learn though!

What am I hoping to accomplish in the time I have left? I want to reach my full potential as a missionary and bring as many people I can to Christ and his church. I have a lot I need to improve and the lord has a way of showing you weaknesses that must be strengthened and changed.

Mom I loved the story of your new found friend. Its amazing how the lord puts us in the path of others. I have learned out here that the there are NO such things as coincidences here in this life. Our Heavenly father uses us to answer prayers and uses others to answer ours. I am doing great. We had a better week in our area and are hoping to see some more success in January here in Asucion. Have a great week and we will be talking soon! I know this work is true. I love it! Enjoy this time of year and let the spirit of Christ enter into your hearts. Love you all so much!

Elder Hughes

We took one of the awkward elder and hermana pics :)

QUE TAL FAMILIA! | week 62

Me and Elder Sainz from Mexico

Hey Guys!!!!!

I loved all the pictures you guys sent me! This is such a fun time of year. Tell everyone there I say hi and that I love them.

Well for my weekly update I dont have changes Im gonna stay here for the next eight week change. I was pretty anxious last night waiting for the change call haha. Im gonna be spending this Christmas here in Asuncion. We had a better week than last week. We had a really cool experience early in the week when we were looking for some recent converts on the list of inactive members. We knocked on this door and they let us know that they had moved. Started talking with a man named C. About twelve years ago he got into contact with the church and he went to church with a group of young men. When the bishop who was working with him left to Canada he stopped coming and got into some bad things in his life. We asked if we could come in and began teaching him. He has been so prepared to accept the gospel. He was almost teaching us the lesson it was so cool. The problem is he works in a bread shop so he works a crazy schedule. He wasnt able to come with us to church but we will be working on it. We have continued to work with a new investigator we found named Alejandra. She has felt the spirit and is really interested in this message. We got her set up last night to watch the Christmas devotional on her computer because one of her daughters was sick. The problem we have been having is getting our investigators to church. 

Saturday was the annual "dia del diablo" day of the devil. They have this tradition here on the 7th of December everyone burns huge devil doll things and all the trash they have in their house haha Mixed with a bunch of firecrackers. I guess it gets all the bad spirits and stuff out of the house before Christmas time haha.

Hermana Watts made us some thanksgiving dinner
for all the ZL`s oh my gosh so good!

I went on a division with Elder N one of the district leaders in the zone. We have become really good friends and we taught investigators all day which was super fun. We went into a house and saw the biggest, meanest dog ive ever seen in my life haha. The guy told us he broke the chain the week before and was running loose in the house. This thing was like a small tiger haha. He told us that this dog can destroy pittbulls. Crazy stuff!

F is doing so good! He received the Aaronic preisthood on Sunday and has been coming to all the activities and everything.

Im not sure if you guys saw the Christmas devotional last night from the first presidency. If you have a chance you can watch it on internet. I love this time of the year. It causes us to reflect on the birth and life of Christ. I have always cherished the many traditions and the spirit we all feel this time of year. President Monson mentioned in his talk that we need to slow down this Christmas season and remember why we celebrate. I hope that we can all capture the spirit of the season and help someone who needs it. I love this work and I love my Savior. 

Until next week! We are headed off to go bowling with zone ah yeah! 

Elder Hughes

Hola from Rocklin | week 61

Elder Brooks, one of the best friends I have made out here.

Hey coming at you guys a little earlier today!

Wow im glad you guys had a fun Thanksgiving. I was thinking about you guys on thursday haha. I was on a division with another Elder from the States so we had our own little celebration with a hot fudge sundae at McDonalds. Tell Aaron I say Hi where is he living now? Utah?. Dad thanks for the message on Gratitude. I love that quote that "Gratitude is one of the most important human virtues and one of the most common human deficiencies." 

Well im doing good. Not going to lie this week has been one of those tough ones. I guess life and the mission cant always be roses and sunshine haha. Thats part of the mission and I have had weeks like this in the past. It just seemed like nothing was working. Alot of our appointments fell through and It seemed like nothing went our way. These are the times when I have really relied on prayer. We can only control so many things and then we have to put our problems and situations in the hands of the lord. He is like that clutch hitter who is in the clean up spot in the baseball line up. When runners are on base and the game is tight he always seems to come through and knock them in haha. There is my sports analogy of the week.

Me and Elder Kapp on Thanksgiving,
We ate Paches haha Its like a tamale with potatoes

Our investigator Ir was doing great to start the week. Everything was going great. One of our appointments fell on Friday and Saturday and then when we went to go get her on Sunday morning she was gone. We went to look for her on Sunday night and she was acting super weird. Idk! I have just learned to laugh instead of getting frustrated. Alot of the Zone has been having some struggles in their areas too. We have conselio with President Watts this week which should help us know how to move forward.

We get change calls next Sunday! I really feel like Im going to have a change but we will see what happens. In the mission we are going to open up some new zones outside of the capital which should be pretty cool. Who knows whats going to happen though. Oh and President Watts just gave us permission to use SKYPE this Christmas. Im not sure if im going to be here in this area or somewhere else so we will see what happens. 

I want to share a poem this week haha

I left a quiet harbor

In favor of another, I know not where

But at first, there are seas to cross

and storms to brave

how could I prefer the foreign deeps 

to the encircling arms of the bay

Because there are some things 

that can only be learned at sea.

Yes my craft is watertight

I can navigate the unknown

And lo, the wind that fills my sails

blow from home

There are alot of things in life that can only be learned at sea. I am so grateful for the oppourtunity I have been given to serve others. Thanks for your support and love. Like the poem says the wind that fills my sails blows from home. I am anxious to see what happens this week with changes. Hey If you guys have any questions for me feel free to ask. Sometimes I run out of things to talk about. I love you guys so much. Enjoy this holiday season. Isnt this the best time of the year. I think its because everyone in the world centers themselves a little bit more on Christ. Have a great week and we will be talking soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love 

Elder Hughes

Happy Thanksgiving! | week 60

Hey everyone!!!!!

Thanks for the email mom sounds like you guys have had a really busy week. I am glad that everything went well in Utah for Grandpas Funeral I was thinking about all of you guys on Thursday wondering how everyone was feeling. I have reflected this week alot about Grandpa Cahoon. I know he is in a much better place and will be helping all of us in our life journeys. Send my love to Grandpa Val and everyone I love them so much. Wow Mom I love all the holiday plans. Be sure to eat alot of Turkey for me this week. Here in Guatemala Thanksgiving doesnt really exist haha Got to love all the american holidays. Thursday will be a normal day but I will be sure to celebrate in my own little way haha. The good thing is this is the last Thanksgiving I will miss. Tell Aaron I say hi and that I love him. Give him my email I want to hear for him one of these days. 

Well not a whole lot to report this week but we have been working hard and finding some new people to teach. We found a woman we contacted in the street named Ir she is great. We finally found her in her house and she invited us right in. After talking for a while she expressed to us a deep desire to change her life and to come closer to God. She lost one of her daughters about three years ago and it has been a huge trial in her life. We set a baptismal date with her for the 21st of Decemeber. I really hope she starts to progress and can find the peace she is looking for. Me and Elder A are really searching for some new people who have been prepared to hear this message. We also were able to find a new family this week that let us in and we were able to answer alot of questions they have about the church. We then started teaching about the plan of salvation and one of the hermanas just got so excited as she told us that very day she was pondering about her purpose in life and where she came from. We taught her exactly that and she is really interested. I love moments like that in the mission. I think alot of times we take for granted the knowledge we do have. I know who I am, where I came from and where im going to go after this life. This knowledge gives us an anchor in the raging sea of life.

The stake presidency called me this week on Wendsday and asked me to speak in stake conference!!!!!!!! I was like "WHAT" alright so I spoke in the adult session on saturday. That was the first time I have spoken in stake conference in my life haha. I usually dont get nervous but I was sweating up there haha. I spoke about the retention of recent converts and how we can be freinds with and support those who are baptized members of the church. This is actually something really important. In this stake the retention of recent converts isnt good at all. Everthing went well though haha. On Sunday we had a Stake conference session that came in by sattelite from salt lake to all the stakes in Guatemala. It was really cool because President Eyring and Elder Scott spoke! Elder Scotts talk was the coolest because he knows spanish. He spoke about the importance of mothers and the divine worth of women. Wow it was so powerful. Not going to lie he got me all teared up. His talk caused me to reflect on all the great women who have influenced my life. First my wonderful mother who has given me so much. I owe everthing to you mom. Thanks for always supporting and loving me. Then my wonderful Grandmothers who have taught me so much. I sure love my Grandmothers. I have had many other aunts and freinds that have had a huge effect on my life. Dad thanks for always teaching me to respect and protect women. I remember you teaching me how I should treat my dates and do the little things. We cannot forget to do the little things like opening up doors, helping, and reminding women that they are loved and respected.

We are going to have a mini Zone conference tomorrow with President Watts. I am excited to learn something new and to have another good week in our area. 

I found a quote this week that I wanted to share with you guys

"You know sometimes you think yourself into unhappiness and depression. But did you know you can think yourself into happiness? By positive thinking, you will be well, you will prosper, and your prayers will be answered. Become the master of your thoughts. Stop thinking about how tough life is, stop worrying about the future and the past, think of Gods riches and love and express those thoughts daily, you will become what you think"

As Thanksgiving day approaches I think it is so refreshing to remember what God has given us and to give thanks. Gratitude makes what we do have enough. I am so grateful for my loving family and this gospel that guides and directs my life. I am grateful for the priviledge I have to serve the Lord for two years. It can be easy here when the holidays approach to miss home. I do miss you all so much but I know I am exactly where the lord needs me and for that I am grateful. I hope you all have a great week and watch some football for me ahahaha.

Until next week!

Elder Hughes

Hmmmm..... What I would give for a pumpkin cookie | week 59

Hey Guys!

Well I love all the pictures. You guys got all decked out in oregon gear. Well Spencer is HOME! I cannot believe that. I love the pictures too I cannot imagine how excited Jamie and Mark were. Im excited to see him when I get home.

Thanks for letting me know about Great Grandpa Cahoon. I was hoping I would be able to have seen him one more time before he left this world. I have been thinking about him what a great example he was to all of his family. He was so funny too haha. Im going to miss going over there on Christmas with all the family and having the classic mustard ham. All of my Grandparents aunts uncles and everyone back home will be in my prayers this week. Mom, Dad, Give them all a hug for me and tell them I love them. Death is a step we are all going to have to take one day. Im grateful that Grandpa was able to live a good long life and I know he will be watching over us up there. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of Gods plan of Happiness. Isnt it nice to know that if we do the right things here on earth we can return to live with our father in heaven once again! I love this knowledge and I know Grandpa is in a much better place.

As for my week we had a good one! F was baptized on Saturday wooohoooo! He didnt smoke all week and we were able to finish teaching him. We gave him a blessing on Tuesday to help him get through the week and resist all of Satans temptations to smoke. He told us later on in the week that when we gave him the blessing he felt the spirit really strongly and was able to turn down offers he received from his co workers to "Just smoke one". It really has been such a blessing to work with F. The Bishopric is already getting his calling ready to work with the young men which would be perfect!

We were able to find some more people to teach this week. Now its just getting them to church on Sunday. We started working with a woman named S who had a derrame i think that is hemorage in english haha Im forgeting words this is so bad. But her husband is inactive and served a mission. He has been working on coming back to church and we want to help. There are alot of other people but it would take a while to explain them all haha.

As a zone we are really trying to move the work forward and have success. Sometimes I feel stressed by all the responsibility and little problems we have to deal with. But the one thing ive learned about life is that it always seems to work out. Sometimes we get feelling overwhelmed by alot of the stresses but looking back its funny to see how those things helped me learn and grow. 

I love you all so much. In this thanksgiving time of the year i give thanks to my Father in Heaven who has given me so much. Such a wonderful family, freinds, and this Gospel that guides and protects me. The best way we can show gratitude to God for all of these blessings is by keeping his commandaments and giving our time and service to others. Lets show our gratitude to God and our families by serving them. Just look for little things!

I love you all and I know that this work is true. Have a great week and never give up!

Love

Elder Hughes

no clever title this week | week 58

Hey guys!

Its so nice to hear from you guys this week. Thanks for all the updates I love it. Glad to hear Whitney beat antelope to win league. How crazy that Elder Voges is coming home tomorrow! How crazy is that I remember like it was yesterday when he gave his farewell talk. Time is just flying by.

Well we finished the last week of the change. And.... Im staying here with Elder Alvarado. The weird thing is we are going to have changes again in a month. Had to change the date of changes in the mission because it would have landed on the 24th of Decemeber. So we are going to have a change of four weeks and then a change of eight.

C was Baptised on Sunday Morning. Wow it went so well. On tuesday we went to vistit with her and she was really down. She had fought with her Mom the day before and was feeling really down. Even doubting her decision to be baptised. Without fail Satan always come in and launches his full assault on these people. But after a two hour lesson she was ready to go. She went to girls camp and had a blast. I called her when she got back was just so excited. Sunday morning her uncle Hno Montes de Oka baptized her. All the sacrifice and everthing we go through is all worth it when C got up to bear her testimony to end the meeting and through tears and smiles thanked her heavenly father for the many blessings she has recieved. I love C and I have really developed a bond with her this last change.

The rest of the week was filled with alot of baptismal interveiws and fallen citas. We really had a hard time finding new people to teach this last week. Sometimes thats how the mission can be. I have been really trying to trust in the Lord more. 

Elder G is going home this week! I have been able to talk to him a couple times these last few weeks. He is one of the best freinds I have ever had. Im sad that he is going home. It all feels like a dream sometime and its not supposed to end haha. Look for him on Facebook!

One of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. That is
one of the volcanos in the background.

Im kind of at a loss for words today and Im not sure why hahah. Im feeling good! The mission always comes with alot of new challenges and struggles. It doesnt matter how much experience you have or how well you speak the language they are just always there. The great thing is that the Lord has supported me every step of the way. He seems to always lift us higher when we feel down or in a tough situation. He is the master teacher and he knows exactly what we need to improve and progress in this life. I have pondered this week on the blessing of eternity. Just stop to ponder on what our heavenly father has in store for us. If we are obedient and consistently apply the atonement of Jesus Christ we will be joint heirs with him. No eye can see no mind can comprehend all the things our father in heaven has in store for those who obey and love him. With an eternal perspective we can see how fleeting and superficial we can make life. Alot of the worries superficial things in life just simply dont matter. The simple joys of a happy family where there is love and understanding. Personal pray and communion with our father in heaven and the joys of service to others. These are the things that bring true lasting peace into our lives.

I love you all so much. I remember with President Murphy set me apart he stated that I would gain more appreciation and love for my family. I love you all so much. My Father in Heaven has been so good to me.

Have a great week! I love you all so much!

Elder Hughes

just some dogs in the streets.

This is fiambre its a typical dish that is only served on november first

Buddy the Elf whats your favorite color? | week 57

Hey guys! 

Happy Monday. I'm glad all is calm and cooling down in Rocklin. Like you Mom I count my blessing daily here in Guatemala. We are having our zone activity today we rented a bus and we found a place to play some lazertag hahah. I'm super pumped!

Well me and Elder A had a busy week! Lots of meetings and running around but thats how I like it. We continue to look for more people to teach. That seems to always be the wall to climb in the mission field  Nothing happens if we dont find people. While knocking doors we met F who is a teacher. He teaches night school to adults who never finished their classes when they were younger. Super humble guy who wants to learn more and loves to read! He lives in a really humble house and is building a new one close by. We are going to help him this week. He told us he just wants us to come and teach him but we are going to happen to pass by his house in the morning with a change of clothes in our backpacks hahaha.

C is so excited! She is going to "girls camp" with all the girls in the stake here for three days this week. I dont think there is anything better to get her ready to make covenants with the lord. She is going to be coming home Saturday evening so we are going to have her baptism Sunday morning at 8 and then she will be confirmed right after in Sacrament meeting. It is amazing the changes she has made in her life. Her mom has been telling us all about it haha. 

F is getting there. He has lowered his cigarrete usage to only 8 this last week in total. This next week is going to be really important he has to take the final step and leave them for good. Wow addictions are tough to face. But I know that with the help of the lord and the support of others anyone can release themselves from the heavy chains of addicion.

On November first it was "dia de los santos" where literally everyone goes to visit the gravesites of their relatives. There is a national cemetary close to our little apartment so tons of people came to celebrate haha. They eat a special dish here only on this day called Fiambre its a huge mix of vegetables and all kinds of meats. This thing has almost everything its crazy! A member family prepared it for us. I really liked it tons of flavors.

The zone is starting to really pick things up here. We should have about ten baptisms as a zone in the next two week! We are starting week 6 of the change too. I cannot believe it time is just flying by. I dont think that I will have a change but ive learned to expect the unexpected here in the mission.

A couple random things that happen here in Guatemala that I havent told you guys..... hahaha

If you want some fresh goats milk just walk outside in the morning there are always "shepards" we bring their goats around in the street so you can but your warm cup of goats milk hahahah. I havent gotten up the courage to try it yet.

Hahahah Oh well breast feeding here is just normal for everyone so if the babys hungry the women just pull their shirts down and start feeding their kids without covering themselves. When I first got here I was like what is going on..... Now its just normal but its a little awkward in the middle of a lesson and they just start feeding away right in front of us. HAHA

Well Im glad you guys are doing well in Rocklin! I meant to ask you guys what are your plans for thanksgiving and christmas? I have studied and taught alot this about the atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no truth more important than the knowlege we have that Christ payed for everyone of our sins, errors, and afflicions we face. We are all indebted to god. We are seperated from him physically and sin seperates us spiritually. There is no way we can climb out of this hole on our own. Our loving father in heaven knew this so he sent his only begotten son to pay the debt. Now he comes to us as and asks that we obey, and serve him. The demands of justice have been payed by Christ now we must serve him! There is no other way. His mercy is sufficient to save us after we have done all that we can! I love my Savior and I feel privledged to serve him. Not only for these two years but for all of my life! Go to him for help. And you will find peace and rest for your soul. I know this is true.

I love you guys! Know that I pray for all of my freinds and family and I feel your prayers. Thank you.

Share your smile with someone today!

Until next week

Elder Hughes