greetings from Guatemala | week 56

Whats up guys!

Thanks dad for the email I always enjoy the sports updates haha. Im glad you guys are getting away for the weekend and heading to San francisco I miss that city. Send me some pics next week of all your adventures. Congrats to Chase Blevins on his baptism woooowooooo! Give him a high five for me. It will be cool to see how everyone has grown while Im gone. I still freak out seeing pictures of Riley and Zach they are getting so big. Go Cougs! Glad Taysem is playing well. Did I ever tell you guys that I met him at the Clarks grandparents house in Provo.

Well just finished another good week in the mission feild. Time is just flying by. I have to stop every monday and remember what happens every week out here. As a zone we had the best week I have seen in all of my time in zona Palmita. We found 54 new investigators as a zone and it looks like we are going to have alot of success in November. Wendsday we had interveiws with President Watts, Hermana Watts had to go to Utah for two weeks to help one of her daughters who was having a baby. Im not going to lie it wasnt the same without her haha. As zone leaders on interveiw days we basically spend most of the day in the stake center organizing the interveiw schedule. At about 6:30pm I got to talk with President after everyone. Wow I just loved it! He really helped me out with some of the stresses I have in the Zone. I feel so blessed to have develped a strong relationship with President and Hermana Watts. We are going to have to go visit them when I get back. Hermana Watts already told me she will have to approve of my future wife hahahaha.

Thursday we got the oppourtunity to do divisions with one of the assistants Elder S. I woke up thursday Prayed and made a couple changes to our plans. We decided to bring one of our new investigators hna C to the chapel to show her around and have a lesson with her. We picked her up with a member and took her to the chapel. I remember she walked in and just stood there staring at the painting of Christ and his apostles in the entryway. We took her into the sacrament room and talked about the sacrament, the atonement and baptism. Im not sure how it happened but we ended up sitting down together in foyer. C opened up to us about alot of the problems she has had in her life. I cannot begin to describe the suffering and pain she has felt. She was abandoned as a litte girl and got by begging for money in the streets. For a time in her life she lost her sight completely and only by the hand of the lord she was able to get a surgery that corrected her eyes. She began to cry and at one moment said that her life wasnt worth anything. It was our privilege to testify and tell this tender hearted woman that she does matter and that she is worth  everything in the eyes of god. We just told her how much we love her. One of the coolest moments I have had on my mission. C has alot of things to overcome like her sister who wont let her leave the house to come to church with us. But I know that with the Lords help she will be able to come and feel the blessings her father in heaven has in store for her. We are going to head to her house tonight to try and talk with her sister.

Christina and Freddy are both pregressing really well. Chr went to church, mutual, and we had a great lesson with her on Thursday night. It is amazing to see the changes that take place in the lives of these people. F is doing well also. He has lowered things down to three cigarretes each day and our goal is that he will be able to be down to almost nothing at the end of this week. We set a baptismal date with him for the 16th of November!

I really felt the giudance of the spirit this week. It is absolutely key that we as missionaries and members have the spirit with us at all times. He whispers and guides our thoughts and actions. It amazes me sometimes how during the day or during lessons, examples or impressions come to my mind. This is the lords work and it is done by the influence and guidance of the spirit. It cannot be done in any other way.

We have a busy week coming up with lots of meetings! Got leadership meeting tomorrow, stake correlation, and zone meeting this week Whew! About once a month we have a week like this one. I am so excited with this zone right now. I have felt recently that we are going to see some really big blessings from the lord. We have started to see those this last week. I love the missionaries in this zone. I get attached to them and it is such a priviledge I have to work along side them.

I have been focusing on my prayers this week. Honestly I didnt really know what prayer was before the mission. Prayer is a sacred privilede we have to communicate with our Father in Heaven. I think sometimes we get to repetitious and lazy with our prayers. You can learn almost everthing about the relationship someone has with god just by listening to the way they talk to him. Are we really talking with him? Or do we just recite alot of words and phrases that we always use? As I was thinking and studying about prayer this week I went to my bed and prayed for a while. I testify that God does hear and answer us. If we will only ask in faith he can do all things! Lets focus on our prayers this week and make them meaningful. I love this gospel. I have never been apart of something so grand and important in all my life.

Have a great week Family and Friends.... I love you all so much. I hope you all know that. Dad thanks for always supporting me. I feel so proud to be your son. Give Mom a big hug for me today hahahah!

Love

Elder Hughes

I was using the restroom in one of the members houses this week and had this turtle hanging out with me while on the toilet hahaha only in Guatemala . . . . that is a huge turtle!

Guats Up | week 55

Happy Monday!

Glad to hear you guys are doing well. I am a little jelous right now seeing you guys in sweatshirts and fall stuff. Im glad you had a good trip Mom and Riley had a great time. I loved all the pictures he sent me hahah. Everytime I see pictures of Riley I just start laughing hahahahha Idk why Riley your such a great brother man. We will have to go back to New York someday and you can show me around. Mom that picture with you and Jackson is awesome he is GIGANTIC. He has always been a big guy. 

Felizidades to Megan Hodgson on her call to New York. Thats gonna be three Hodsons in the mission right now cool stuff! Yes Mom its getting to be that Christmas time again woooooo! I really cant believe it I feel like it was just Christmas here. I have talked to elder Gammon a couple times recently he is going home in three weeks!!!!! I still just love my trainer we were best freinds from the moment we left to Llano Largo. You guys are gonna have to look for him on Facebook and talk to him when he gets back. The lord definetly blessed me with my Trainer.

We had a tougher week this week. Sometimes it feels like an uphill climb trying to work with and find new people to teach. We did set a baptismal with C this week. We got a lesson set up with her at the bishops house. We set it for the ninth of November but she didnt make to it to church this week so we are praying and trying to help her. With F we are seeing alot of progress we taught him twice this week and he has set a goal to quit smoking in 15 days! He came to church and is just loving it. We are calling him ever night checking up on how he is doing.

We are really trying to help this ward. The bishop called a new ward mission leader that should help us out more. Sometimes it just takes someone to come in and to make changes. We have gained the confidence and support of the bishop and are trying to work with all the leaders in the ward. 

I really saw alot of tough situations this week. We meet alot of people and families that go through trials that are hard to watch. Alot of the poorer people here work all day everyday just fighting to put some food on the table. While contacting one day this week I just walked up some stairs to a little house and we met the A family. We talked with the mom and she is going through a really hard time her eleven year old daughter has Leukemia. We taught them a little bit and set a return appointment but when we went back the rest of the family told us they had to move to another part of the capital. But we did start teaching her sister who also has had an incredibly tough life. I am so grateful for the family and home I was blessed with. Count your blessing because I have met alot of people who have it alot tougher.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am an addict to Tortillas. I seriously do not know what Im going to do without fresh Tortillas for lunch and dinner everday in the States. Hahaha. I can eat like ten at every meal.

Everyone here is preparing for the first of November which is the day of the dead. Everyone celebrates and does thing for all their ancestors. There is a huge cemetery by our area so its gonna get a litte crazy here soon.

Random story this week we were walking down our street on Sunday afternoon and a woman came running around the corner with a huge broom in her hands, yelling at everyone she passed hahahah. She ran right up to us too. CRAZY! I think one of the switches shorted out upstairs or someting.... 

Im feeling good, We are continuing to work hard here in Asuncion. Sometimes things take time and patience in the mission. But I know the lord is guiding and blessing us everyday. I was thinking this week about something I like to call "Being a Do-er". I love watching the Ironman Triathlon world championships every year. It inspires me to see stories of people who despite all odds and opposition accomplish the "impossible". I have also seen this theme within church service. Stories of men and woman who serve the lord and obey the commandments no matter what the circumstances. There is a quote my I love its simple "The man who says he can and the man who says he cant are both right". I strive to be a doer of the word. To live the gospel. There is something inspiring about people to go and serve they dont make excuses or count the cost they just do. The scriptures are full of Do-ers. Nefi went and did what the lord commanded. Captain Moroni when confronted with problems and opposition tore off his coat and wrote the standard of liberty, then he fought for his people. I love the scriptures. Lets be do-ers and instead of talking about reading the scriptures or visiting the sick lets go and do it. 

I love this work. It is true. If it werent true I wouldnt be here. I love my Savior and I know he watches over every one of his children. Have a great week and keep moving forward. I love you all so much!

Love

Elder Hughes

Que tal! | week 54

What up Fam bam! Everyone is split up right now, we got Riley in New York, Mom in Utah, Taylor in Arizona, Dad and Zach in Cali, and of course I'm here in Guatemala, I think the Hughes family is filling the earth hahahaha. Thanks dad for the email I'm glad you are all doing well. And Riley wow just living it up in New York city so cool. I want to get to know the big apple some day. Send some pictures next week. 

So cool to hear about all the missionaries in our ward now. How many are out now? And Matthew that doesn't come as a suprise, great leader. I think about Matthew, Tyler, Jordan, Jeff, Scott and everone all the time. Can you remember when were all deacons together at scout camp. Where does time go?

Dad to answer your questions I took my shoes to a "zapateria" or shoe shop where they fixed them for like 60 quetzs which is like 8 dollars haha. Those things were destroyed. We walk alot here in Guatemala. There are no such thing as mission cars or bikes hahaha. So just got new soles put on so good as new.

Well your sportcenter update from guatemala this week..... Me and Elder A put in a solid week. We needed it. We finally feel like we know most of the members and can get things going here. We set a goal to find six new investigators this week and we reached it. On friday we had a cool experience after we spent the day walking around to alot of fallen appointments we stopped at about six and just said what do we do!!!! Pulled out some of the old investigators that the elders visited like six months ago and we started looking. We knocked on the door of a woman named J she let us right in and we were able to teach her the plan of salvation. Felt the spirit super strong and she just loved it. She couldn't come to church on sunday but said she would be able to the next week. Im not sure how many times its happened to me on my mission when I get to the point of saying thats it im so tired and nothing is working everytime we just walk a little bit farther something great happens. It happens playing golf too right when your about to storm off the course and give up you chip in from fifty yards and then you keep going hahahah.

Right now our ward is pretty down. About seventy five people came to church on sunday and everyone seems really disanimated and Im not sure why. Sometimes we see alot of structural problems with the church here in Guatemala. It definetly is a shock when you come from Rocklin first ward where its overflowing and everyone magnifies their callings. We have been working with the Bishop to help strengthen the ward. I have also been working with my companion alot this week he is great just isnt much of a talker. And kind of hard to be a ZL and not talk or develop relationships. But I know I have been put with him for a specific reason and he is helping me alot.

We are working with some other investigators named F and C. C is 15 years old and has been coming to church she just thinks she has to be perfect in order to make a covenant with the lord and be baptized. F is a guy we found who is good freinds with some recent converts. He is a great guy we just have to work with him on leaving cigarettes. 

I'm having a hard time thinking of cool things to write about sometimes we too as missionaries have weeks that seem very normal hahah. I have been thinking alot about the conference we just had last weekend. Its amazing to see how the lord is hastening his work. Like Elder Perry said its a great time to be a missionary. I am so grateful that Im serving at this historic time. Now with 80,000 other men and women. I marvel at the work. It truly is a marvelous work and I feel so thankful to have the chance to be a part of it. In this months ensign President monson said "Amid the storms of life, danger lurks. Men and Women boys and girls find themselves stranded and facing destruction. Who will guide the lifeboats, leaving behind home and family and go to the rescue?" It is our responsibility to help rescue our brothers and sisters. We can do this wherever we are at. Maybe its a less active, a family member, or just anyone who does not yet have the blessings of the gospel in their lives. We can go and find them, they are waiting for us.

Remember to take advantage of everyday. I think my comp thinks im crazy sometimes but I wake up most mornings singing church songs. I love the word enthusiasm. Get excited about life. Our father in heaven gives us a new chance every day to help one another. I love this gospel. I get excited just thinking about it.

I love you Mom, Dad, Riley, Zach, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Freinds!!!!!!!! Have a great week and find purpose in everything you do. 

Un Abrazo

Elder Hughes

More Suprises! The Lord always keeps me on my toes! | week 53

Hey Guys! Thanks for the weekly update Dad. I'm glad you guys enjoyed General Conference. I thought it was one of the best ones I have seen in my life. Even President Monson mentioned that. It has been a CRAZY week. 

Well on Monday afternoon right after I got done writing you guys I got a call from the assistants which started with them saying "Elder Hughes we have a suprise for you" I have learned from past experience to sit down and brace yourself when they say that hahaha. They informed me that I would need to pack my things with Elder M because I was gonna be changing areas within the zone. Due to alot of the problems we had the last change President completely cleaned out two areas called Asuncion 1 and 2. Two Elders who were serving in the ward went home and the other two were having some struggles. So I have been assigned to reopen the ward, Whew! So Tuesday I packed up and we said our goodbyes to the members and M. It was pretty hard saying bye to her she started crying :( Me and Elder M had a really special connection with her and her family.

Wednesday was changes and I went to change conference to pick up my new companion and head to my new area. My new companion is Elder A from Ecuador. He has been in the mission for about ten months or so. Really humble quiet guy. I have been working with him because he isnt a big talker and to be a zone leader you have to open your mouth and be a leader. We got to Asuncion at about one in the afternoon. The Elders that left just left the house in horrible condition. Gosh Elders can be so dirty sometimes. I have seen mom that in the mission that I'm just like you. I cannot work or function if my house or apartment is dirty hahaha. I just told my comp first thing we are gonna do is clean. So thats what we did for about three hours! We are opening the area which is interesting. I forgot how hard it is

to do that. I came to the area on a division about a month back so I knew where two members lived but thats about it. Its always a scary feeling to walk out of your apartment and to say I have no Idea where we are going or where anyone lives hahahah. I relate with Nephi when he was "led by the spirit not knowing beforehand the things I should do" Im so grateful for the Lords help. We left on Wendsday and just started walking when a man came up to us and said "Elders where are you headed?". We just said well "we dont know where we are at or where we are going are you a member?". We met Hermano C the ward secretary who led us to the ward mission leaders house and showed us around.

Asuncion has had some struggles lately. We spent the little bit of time we had this week to meet the members and leaders of the ward. The Elders left us with two investigators C and F. We were able to teach C this week, she has been receiving the Missionaries for a long time now. So we will see! I am excited for the oppourtunity I have to reopen this area. It has given me an oppourtunity to change and do things a little better.

I loved General Conference this weekend. It is always so amazing to listen to the speakers and beautiful music. Like you dad I loved Uchtdorfs talks on Saturday morning and In preisthood session. Hollands talk on depression was incredible. I must say my favorite had to be President Monson on Sunday morning I loved his message on making the gospel the center of our lives and how that will carry us through all of our trails and difficulties in life. It has been my knowledge of the truthfulness of this gospel that has carried me this last year. I feel like their is someone behind me that is just helping me along and lifting me out of bed at 6:30 every morning hahaha.

I love this Gospel. I felt the spirit gently touch my heart this weekend during all of the conference sessions. I know that God loves and watches out for ever one of his children. He has sent his son Jesus Christ to show us the way to have peace in this life and to one day make it back to his presence. I have also felt the my Heavenly fathers love for me and all of his children her in Guatemala. I pray that we can all  listen to and read the conference adresses and apply them in our lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. Only through his infinite and atoning sacrifice can we be cleansed from past transgressions. This I know to be true.

I love you all so much. We have set some big goals for this next week and I have alot of work to do. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming at times with all this responsibility and opening areas but I have felt the Lord comfort and help me EVERYDAY. Remember what Elder Holland said on Sunday "If we do not take time to be well. We definetly will take time to be ill" Take time this week to be well and read your scriptures!

Love you guys!

Elder Hughes

what's crackin' | week 52

“My life is like my shoes, worn out by service.” 
― Spencer W. Kimball

Hmmm where do I start. This last week was awesome!

M was baptized on Friday! Probably one of the coolest conversions I've been able to be a part of on my mission. We spent alot of time this last week getting everything set up for Friday and getting her ready. One day this week she told us she received a very strong spiritual impression or feeling that what she is doing is right. She just said while laying down on her bed for a few minutes she felt a peace come ever her. And a still small voice telling her that these thing are true. Friday she showed up to the service 45 minutes early just so excited. The coolest part is that we got her daughter G set up on skype from Germany. G was baptized there in Germany only a few months prior. When she walked in and saw her mom dressed in white they both just started crying. Wow it was so special to be apart of this moment. Since her daughter could only connect at night in Germany we had to do it in the morning. About 20 members were able to come and support. It was so intimate and spiritual. I wish you guys could have just been there to see it hahah. It touched my heart to hear M and G tell me and Elder M "thank you" for sharing and working with them. That is why im here. For these people. It has been amazing to see how the spirit has guided all of our lessons and timing. I work daily to have that spirit everyday in my mission!

My companion has changes! Looks like im going to be training a new Zone Leader here in Acatan. Im actually pretty excited it gives me an oppourtunity to step up and do things better. Half of the zone has changes which is crazy! 

Like you sometimes mom alot of the weeks seem pretty similar to me. But im looking forward to this upcoming week. We have changes Wendsday and leadership conference the following day which will be cool. Then to top things off with General Conference. I love Conference. I have spent alot of time on my mission reading and studying talks from the last couple years. My invitation is that we can all watch and more importantly listen for an answer we have been looking for this next weekend. I know that as we do so prayerfully the answer will come. 

Im feeling great right now! There are so many little experiences and things I learn everyday. Its always kind of weird to change companions in the mission. We really build such cool relationships with other missionaries and companions.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I got alot of emails. I had a great Birthday. The Hermanas bought me a cake and we stuck a big candel in it to celebrate. I want to set some new goals and really have another great year. Can you guys beleive that we hit the year this week. Its all downhill from here now. I love you guys. Thanks Mom, Dad, Riley, and Zach. I love you all so much

Have a great week and keep smiling and having fun!

Love

Elder Hughes

WHAT ITS MY BDAY????? | week 51

disclaimer: the longer Tanner is in Guatemala, the worse his English spelling gets. I don't go through and fix the errors, it's part of the experience :)

Hey guys!

Thanks for the early birthday wishes! I honestly cannot believe im going to be 20. I just keep telling my comp that sounds so old to me. I dont think I have ever had a year that has gone faster in my entire life. It all feels kind of like a dream and one day im going to be woken up haha. Im glad to hear all is well there in Rocklin. Finally done with all the heat. I loved all the pictures of Riley and Zach. Riley your looking good in your lifeguard stuff hahaha STUD! Z-man your gonna have to let me know how your soccer team does this fall. Everyone here is obsessed with Lionel Messi who plays for Barcelona haha. Mom, Im so glad your photography business is doing great. Im so proud to be your son. Ive got the coolest Mom in the world!

Well Mom im going to be twenty is that old or what? hahah. Can you belive that? I know I cant. I apoligize (I cant spell anymore) for the last letter. Im sure you felt it come through but I was so dang stressed out. I had one of the moments where you finally sit down to write and nothing comes out. We had a much calmer week which was good. Elder S who was staying with us unfortunately went home on Wendsday. I really wanted him to stay with us for a change to work out some of the problems he was having but he decided to head home for a little bit. Me and Elder M were so grateful for the three days we were able to spend together with him. My eyes have been opened alot and I have learned so much these last few weeks. Finally everything has calmed down in the zone which is nice. President told me he has been specifically praying for me and the zone and we have seen those prayers answered.

Some good news is that M is going to be baptized. It has been amazing to see the change that has taken place with her in the last couple weeks. She has been reading going to church and changing! Ever since we committed her to baptism she has been doing so well. This last week we had a hard time meeting up with here. Satan has been launching his attack this last week with her mom in the hosptal and many other problems. I really feel a special connection with M we have felt the spirit so strongly in all of our lessons. We are not sure if the baptism is going to be this Friday ( My bday) or on Saturday. We are still waiting to see if she is going to have to leave with her husband on a military trip this weekend. I sure hope not. hahah. 

As for the rest of the week we spent alot of time walking trying to help the members and contact people in the street. The search for more people to teach continues. We did get a sweet reference that we want to start teaching this week. All I know is that the mom is named M and she has two little daughters. They came to church a while back and we are going to see how we can help them. Changes are coming up this next week! I am pretty confident that Im not going anywhere haha. But my comp who knows I think he is going to stay but he has 8 months here in the area already so we will see. Elder M ends his mission in December. Funny thing about Elder M is he talks to himself hahaah. Super funny alot of times im in the bathroom or the shower and I can hear him just talking away hahaha. At first I got really confused because I thought he was talking to me I would always leave and just ask what he was trying to tell me hahaha.

Im doing good! We are going to have a busy one this week with Leadership meeting tomorrow with President, zone meeting, and a baptism wooo!

Found a quote this week that has helped me recently from President Monson it reads "I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me " I have so many problems, Such real concerns. Im overwhelmed with the challenge of life. What can I do? I have offered to them and now to you, this specific suggestion. Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Yard by yard lifes hard, inch by inch its a cinch. Each of us can be true for atleast one day."

We have to take life on day by day. Thinking about the mission, life, problems and all the stresses can be overwhelming sometimes. But when we just break things down and seek guidance from the Lord one day at a time it all seems to work out. This advice from President Monson has helped me and I believe it can help you too! Take life on one day at a time. I have seen so many blessings in my life recently. I am eternally grateful for the loving family and freinds that I have. You support and love me. Thank you. I also have come to know how much our Heavenly Father loves us his children. It is real. Sometimes its improtant to remember one simple truth. You are a child of God...... Just think about that for a moment. The greatest most powerful all knowing being exists and loves you, and all his children. He has a plan for us, and we may all as we act in obedience to his commandments return to live with him. This is the message I share. I know its true.

I love you Mom and Dad, Riley, Zach and Everyone that writes and sees this. Thank you for all that you do for me. Im going to have a great Birthday this week. What could be a better gift than to have a baptism! 

Have a great week and take life on one day at a time. I pray for you all daily. LOVE YOU GUYS:

Love,

Elder Hughes

week 50 | what's up guys! (yes, we are on week 50, that means just two weeks until we hit the one year mark!)

Hey! Im coming at you guys late today. It has been aabsolutely crazy day with zone activity along with some tough situations in the zone that we are trying to deal with. I'm gonna have to keep this one short lame. I'm glad you guys are doing well. So cool to see pictures of the quarry bowl this week. Looked like it was a packed house. Riley, dude you are awesome I love the school spirit man. Dad I loved you message on daily bread. Thanks so much

Sorry to be honest I'm having a hard time focusing right now haha. We have had some big time problems in the zone this week. (content removed for privacy). I have really learned alot through these experiences. Satan works hard on the missionaries and sometimes they face the consequences. I love these Elders so much.

We set a baptismal date with M this week. As we left the zone conference on Tuesday me and Elder M had the strongest impression that she needed a date and a goal to work for. We had an amazing lesson with her and after about an hour and a half she accepted a date. M is so ready. We have really seen the Lord work in her life. The coolest part is that right after the lesson her son Julio who never wants to talk to us came up out of nowhere and said Elderes I want to talk with you guys the next time you come over. I think M was the most suprised out of all of us. She should be baptized the 28th of September which would be a great birthday present haha.

There are so many other things that I wish I could talk to you guys about right now but I just dont have time. This week has been so amazing. We have seen many miracles and tender mercies from the Lord. I love you guys so much. I feel bad that this is such a bad email home hahah I just want you guys to know how much I love you all. I love this work. The Lord continues to push and stretch me in many ways. This work is true. I have felt that on so many occasions out here in Guatemala. Thanks for all of your support and love. I promise my letter next week will be better. I tried to send alot of pictures.

Love you all so much,

Elder Hughes

The Central Park of Guatemala City

He talked about the beautiful sunset? Maybe the camera
didn't quite capture it!