I'm a Dad!

I have got some news...I am a DAD!!! Yep, that's right. I am now training. Holy crazy, right? My kid is a Latino so it will really help me with my Spanish even though it is doing pretty good. Training is definitely something new. We have been together for four days. He is super formal, and you know I am not. His name is Elder Sanchez from the Capitol here in Guate. He has a few things to learn and I hope I do a good job of helping to teach him. We have had some interesting talks. He comes from a very different background than the people we are teaching. And we are teaching, just not much. We are teaching a way super awesome family that straight up rule. They have no money and are very humble.

In our change meeting, I got to see many of my newbie friends. We are all training now. It was good to know that we are all striving to be obedient and work hard. We have been working super duper hard, in this area, to get some success but the members are still quite reluctant to help. It is definitely more difficult than San Isidro. I love working but sometimes you work until you drop only to have nothing to show for it.

We are changing houses, today, to a super nice house that is cheaper. We are going to live with the Zone Leaders which will be a party because they are sure cool. It also has a a nice court to run in so my companion can sleep while I exercise. I have gained a ton of weight here in the mountains. We don't sweat and they feed me a ton. I am sending pictures. I am waiting on an sd card reader. Oh ya, I went to the temple again. BOOM!!! Super Awesome. The pictures are of Xela and the Xela temple and of me, after doing service for like 19 hours, carrying bags of ... Dirt! I figured Uncle Wayne might like to see the pics of Xela. The Xela temple is so pretty and the city is massive.

Well, I need to be obedient and write Pres. I love the mission! WOOT!! And I love you all.
..
Con amor,
Elder Grant

Update from the Mountains

I apologize for not writing very much lately. So, I will at least try to do a better job. So this week has been pretty rough on me because I haven't had many baptisms. Then we had interviews with President Maravilla, which are basically the best things you can ever have, and we talk for a bit and then he said, "Dude Grant, I know something is up!" I told him how I was feeling down and I didn't feel like I was living up to what I should be doing. And then he said something that blew my mind. He asked, "How many people did Abinadi baptize?" And I was like, "As far as I know zero." And he said, "Right! But he converted someone who became one of the greatest missionaries ever, at least his son did." He said not to worry about the numbers. And, I have made so many changes. I was never a spiritual person before nor was I very sensitive to the Spirit. But that has all changed. I cherish my study time. In fact for me it is a treasure. I learn so much. It also helps my Spanish because I only read in Spanish. I tried in English and it is so much harder for me to focus and marking scriptures is so much fun. I am doing a really fun study right now. I am marking every time the one of the names for Christ is used. It is very powerful to see how much the Book of Mormon testifies of our Savior. It testifies a ton you know.

I live in a house that is really nice. It has three floors but we only use the bottom floor and the terrace. The terrace is where I wash my garments BY HAND!! Dang straight. I wash them by myself by hand. I do have a cook. In fact we have two cooks. That is awesome. I am having a hard time focusing on P-Days because we have to do so much. We usually have family home evenings with a family somewhere but tonight we have three. They are all from 6:00 to 9:00 and then we have dinner after. We are going to be running like crazy.

One cool thing that happened is that we went to the Paca which is just a bunch of used clothes. I found a Boy Scout shirt in my size so I bought it for, yes, 8 quetz (like $1). I used it this morning when we played "el ball" which is a really dumb game but we love it because we are sports starved. I will teach you to play it when I get back. It is so dumb but so funny.

This week there was some guy that invited us into his house. We found out that he is a member but like way off the path. He apparently talks to spirits. He knows that the Church is true but he is crazy. He is really nice but I am pretty sure that he is possessed or something. He told us some crazy story about death and angels and other things. He cracks me up but he gives great references. I am all good with him.

Thank you for the package. I am super pumped! The candy is the bomb. I have it hid in my house
because American candy here is better than gold. I scored a free dinner because I gave out some Redvines to some people. I love the pillowcases. Dad's comments cracked me up! The hoodie and sweats are great, too. I just have to find room for them. I might have changes again. We have changes on Wednesday and the next week and then three weeks from then. Finally after that changes will be back to normal.

Could you please send me Kyle and Sam's address? I would love to write them. I can't wait to see pictures of their baby. I sent them an email of names that I figure will work like Coddlewocks and
such. All the names are unisex.

I had better go. The Church is true. I had cake today so basically it has been a great day. Well peace! Oh ya. On the weird side we found a family that is positive. WOOT!!!

Con amor,
Elder Grant

This week was better. We actually worked with members and now have some newbies which is a miracle. It used to be that newbies were never found but that is changing now. It's going to be a long process. We should have some success in a while. We found out that one lady we are working with may not be married. We just have to do some record checking. Wahoo!!! for another family. That means more sealings and happiness! Really, the temple is one of those things that is a huge blessing here on Earth. We are all sealed to an eternal family and all have the ability to do so when they get married.

In my area there is just us and nobody else. But in my zone there are 12. Yes, I am in Sacatepequez or however you spell it. To answer your questions, Mom, to stand in holy places you just need need MTFUBAFC (pronounced matfoobafc) which means "Man the Freak Up. Be a Fearless Champion". I understand it is really hard to stand up for things you believe in while you are surrounded by those that don't understand. And really, that silly saying has a lot of significance in it. Think about it. If you are confronted or challenged about your beliefs, just man up and tell them without any excuses and BAM! they will respect you. It is hard but the right thing to do. Mom, please use MTFUBAFC in your talk. It would make my month! An example of this is one time we were teaching a lady who was pretty hostile towards us and normally I can take that and I'm a chicken. But this time I was like, "No, I know that all these things are true. And yes! I have always been chaste and never touched drugs or alcohol." She didn't have a response. Now my old companion, in my old area, is teaching her. Hahahaha so basically you just gotta stand up!

Grandpa E is going to be a great leader. He works super hard and I know he will work super hard there too. And, you're welcome Grandpa Messick. I am glad that I have the opportunity to write to you guys. Thanks for all the support that you give me as I serve. Thanks for being a great pair of grandparents!!!

Love you all. Don't forget to write.

Cn amor,
Elder Grant

Got To Find Some Success Here

I went to a training with Pres. Maravilla last week. It was great. I saw everyone that I went out with. They are all doing well and getting lots of baptisms. I don't and that kinda makes me feel like garbage. But, that's part of life I guess. I just have to work hard and make sure we get some here in the mountains. This area is super hard but I have a lot of people who are counting on us, Pres and the assistants, and a bunch of others. I won't let them down.

I can't believe how soon Kendrick and Carly are going out. It is insane. I will be at almost eight months by the time they go. That is weird!!! I am super excited for them both. The mission is amazing. I absolutely love it.

Not a whole lot has happened this week. We are trying to work with the members more because contacting isn't working. We had a sweet conference this week and WOW I know now that the key to have success in this area is working with members. So, this week has been full of a lot of service to gain the trust because the members are a little suspect of missionaries. We will get it done! I think we will soon be speeding it all up.

I am used to the cold. It didn't take long for that to happen. After all, I am from good ol' Idaho. I will send pictures next week.  I should have a card reader this week.

Con Amor,
Elder Grant