Earthquake!!!

I  was in an earthquake!!!! One was really tiny that just barely happened and another at four in the morning on Sunday that was cool! That was definitely a new experience. Like, hugely new!!! I jumped out of bed and ran under a doorframe until it was over but I found out it is normal for here. Go figure. then a member called us because he wasn't asleep yet and he wanted to bug us. That guy lives to annoy but he's fun! His name is Vladamir. What a weird name for here, right.

I have pictures of the Xela temple which are absolutely beautiful! Oh my gosh the ordinance rooms are like Rexburg. It has a mural in it too. But it's of Guate. and I sat next to a panther! And what's even cooler is I understood quite a bit but the veil was really difficult. I just memorized it in English and now Spanish AHHGG. I loved the temple.

WE GOT POWER BACK!!!!! We didn't have power because a lot of the people weren't paying so it got shut off for everyone. But it's back now because people threatened to blow it all up. hahahaha The water is cold because it comes directly out of the ground and is just really cold but i like it when it's hot.

Everything is going well except our investigators. Pray for our investigators that they will start keeping commitments and that Luisa's parents will let her get baptized. That has definitely been a bummer. We met a family that wants us to teach them in English because they lived in the states for 17 years. They are really busy though so we never get to hit them up. The work is slow here. I think that we just need to be more personable with people. I get along with everyone quite easily but with little kids is how I get the best bonding with our investigators. It's all thanks to my cousins so thanks guys! You little guys rule. Because of you, you are making my mission better. Look how important and good you little helpers are even though I don't see you. You are definitely helping me every day.

The language is coming. I'm understanding more and more and being able to talk better, too. Thank goodness for blessing from the Lord. I am a little jealous at times that my buddies get to teach in English. It is so easy! I am loving my mission and this country and even though I miss you all, I have no desire to go home.

I love you all. Bye!!!

Con Amor,
Elder "Grande" Grant (Because no one can say my dang name. So they just call me "Elder Big".)

At the Guatemala Quetzeltenango Temple

Collin's zone at the temple

Lots of Pictures and a Scary Story

Well Guatemala is getting hotter or it will because in a month we go into summer and then no more rain Whoo!!!! First story! We went to go visit a contact we had and all of a sudden this 16 yr old or so girl came up and tried to hug me. I said no! Then she tried to kiss me and I yelled NO! I just reacted, I guess.

I loved conference. We watched in English if you are a gringo! It was great. The missionary news was freaking insane!!! Super fun to hear too! One kid was freaking out because it means younger returned misioneras. We jumped up and down and it was a party! The priesthood session we listened to in Spanish because our English feed went out due to a storm. got to sit next to a kid who is 17 and he asked me so many questions about how to prepare. I was glad to be a good influence on him. I did not understand too much of that session! That made my brain tired! I have found out my Spanish pronunciation is good so when I  first say things to people they think I speak it but then they talk super fast and I have no idea what they said. But poco a poco cada dia or little by little every day. Our ward is awesome and the Stake is great!

Story number two. I think I will tell you my terrifying story this week. So, yes, there are many less actives and many part member families here and we had just got done with a lesson from a part member family and were leaving their house where it is totally dark - because we have no electricity (for at a least a month if not longer!!!! It stinks!) Anyways, we were walking through this tiny pitch black street when we heard this blood curdling scream come from the right, in the bushes. My comp said run and so did the spirit! We took off and I had my umbrella open. I just threw it behind me hoping to hit whatever might behind me.  I ran super fast and made in about 20 seconds what takes us about 4 minutes to walk. Crazy what adrenaline does, right? Anyways, the next day we went back in the morning cuz I really wanted my freaking umbrella! it was a broken and stuff. Crazy! Then all the people were like "that was a ghost or a witch" because they all believe in that here! I should mention we were out past when we should have been out because we have no light and need to be in the house at 8 since it's dangerous without light.  I don´t know what it was but I make sure we are in the house at 8 now  - no exceptions!!!!!

Well o pues en español. umm my area is super duper slow as in none of our investigators want to be baptized and that totally stinks!!! Tomorrow I go to Xela or Quetzaltanango for the temple because we won the best zone this month. I think it's only because of our ZLs. They are amazing baptizing machines. One of the hardest things here is that people love talking about Jesus but never want to join the church. And, half of the people here aren't married or they are married to someone who lives with someone else in a different country so that makes things difficult. Oh well, I guess historia de un vida de un misionero.

I received good news from Ky today in email. He received the Holy Man Bag or a bag that has a book of testimonies in it and chapters about the CCM and an American flag that has been there for almost 2 and a half years! It's a secret pass-down and I received it too. So he got my testimony. I miss him and all of you! I miss English aveces or sometimes haha but that will change.

I miss you guys and pray for you every day. I hope everything is going well. Keep me updated. Sorry I am not writing much this week but its just been a slow. Hopefully it will pick up and the light will come back so we can stay out for another hour!

Con amor,
Collin

Elders at the CCM in their Guatemalan Hoodies

Matching ties!!!

Guatemala City Temple

Look! It's the missionary badge and the temple.

Standing in front of the Mapa en Relieve in Guatemala City

Collin with one of his teachers at the CCM

Elder Grant and Elder Hansen in Guatemala City

Reu Missionaries on their way to the Mission Field

The street of San Isidro

What more could you ask for than a Dona Wafle?

Why would a guy that hates spiders play with a scorpion?

We assume this is Collin and his companion with another missionary - his "grandpa."

I'm Not in Idaho Anymore

Well howdy folks!  I hope everything is going well with you all!!!! and I just realized I somehow lost a lot of the addresses to the family. Dang! If I could get those that would be nice. Not a whole lot has happened this week. My Spanish is better - poco a poca cada dia. It is crazy to think I have almost been out for 3 months!!! Crazy right!!!!

To answer your question, Mom, I use an umbrella. I haven't broken out the jacket yet. It doesn't matter anyway. I'll get soaked no matter what, even my backpack. I've just come to take that as part of life. jajajaja It is always raining.

So here is a list of things I didn't expect to miss:

1. doorknobs

2. pine trees

3. traffic rules

4. being cold

5. lots of Mormons

6. Fords

 

I keep having dreams of playing football. I guess I'm missing it a lot here in the land of fútbol. I have officially decided that I am in a very foreign place. Como the electricidad problem. I haven't had electricidad for about a week now and it stinks. We can't buy anything really. The milk will taste good as long as it isn't open but then it goes bad in a day because we have no power for our refrigerator.  Everything goes bad so it looks like I'll be eating granola bars for a little bit. Today I'm going to try an awesome ice cream cone. It is two scoops on a waffle cone with a donut on top!!!! 

I'm excited for Denton. In all honesty that was the mission I hoped for but here is great, too. I'm learning so many things here like how to live without electricidad; or how to deal with new bug bites on my body every morning; or how to shower in water that is super cold; also how to deal with discouragement because our investigators aren't progressing and yes I'm discouraged with that. We had an investigator who was going to come to church with us but right as we got to his house he came out crying because his brother had just died. It was really sad so I think tomorrow we will go to his house to teach him about the Plan of Salvation. The sad thing about here is everyone wants to hear about Christ right? Which is great. But not one of them wants to leave their crazy Evangelico churches which are weird especially when they speak in tongues. That part is just weird. They just mumble which freaks me out every time.

I feel bad for South this year. They are just really inexperienced - just like my comp and me. My comp has been on his mission  a month more than me so it isn't his fault that training is difficult. We are just really inexperienced and it kind of stinks but oh well. I really hope I get the language down more because I am not good right now. The mission just gets faster and faster. I see how it can feel like no time at all. 

TJ emailed me about how grateful he is that I'm his friend it was good to hear from him. I'm proud of what he is doing. He has had it rough the past few years and he is a great kid. I'm proud of him for the decision he made to go on a mission. 

Well I think my hour of email is up. I hope everything is good with everyone and I can't wait to get your Dear Elders!!!!!!

Con Amor,

Elder Grant

IT. WAS. BIZARRE.

Well this week has been a little better. Well we got some new investigators this week and hopefully they will want to be baptized. Here is a story for this week. So we were going contacting and we hit this house that was watching bible cartoons. This older feller popped out and started preaching to us about papa Dios or daddy God in ingles . He starts talking about how he lost his job and stuff. He then started talking about how awesome we are for teaching the Gospel. That was cool. Then he made his 2 daughters, who are 10 and 6, come out and hug us because we are men of God. He told us all about how he married his wife when she was 14 and shes like 35 now and man it was weird. Then he gave us a hug and told us how great God is. He then went inside. IT. WAS. BIZARRE.

We taught a family last night. The mom is really nice but she doesn't really want to be baptized because she already has.  We taught her kids and they seemed really interested. We read a chapter with them and explained it verse by verse. I felt the spirit and I hope they did too.

Oh yeah I gave two blessings yesterday in Spanish. That is a completely new experience for me! I was super nervous and they weren't very long but that's okay I guess. My Spanish has grown a ton and it is better and better every day. I just wish I was fluent but that isn't gonna happen for a while. I'm understanding better and talking more which is great! In fact today I was able to spout off some stuff without thinking. Thank goodness for the gift of tongues and the power of God. I know for a fact that he is blessing me constantly and that is what helps me want to stay here even more.

It is crazy to think that I have been out for almost 3 months now. I got an email from Elder Trupp today and I cant believe he has been out for a month! It was really fun to hear about Cole. I think about those guys a lot and how different their missions are. I know  Ky and my mission are similar but like Daniel and Cole and Kelton and Braxton. It has got to be so much different. For one, they are speaking ingles. I sometimes envy that fact. I think it would be somewhat amazing to be able to speak your home language. Then there is the culture. I have to get used to a whole new culture and I'm loving it so far. Here everyone says hi and is always willing to help  you. That is something different than the states.

Oh ya now for a weird food story!!! Every Sunday we eat with the Bishop for lunch and last night we had tacos and guess what the meat was - COW UDDER!!!!! and it was actually really good.

Today I have started my goal of becoming friends with the narcos, or the drug lords. I was told by my teacher in the CCM to make friends with them because no one here hates the missionaries but in case you ever get in trouble, and they are around, they will come and help you always. Today I talked with some who are outside of a huge house They always have guns. You know they aren't security either because these guns are flashy. Today I sat down with one and asked him about his gun and we talked about it for like 5 minutes. It was white and black and pretty cool looking. He let me hold it. Then I gave him a high five and now we are pretty much bros haha.

We met a guy who lived in the U.S. for a while and he owns the Aqua Pura company here and from now on we get free water! I'm really pumped because that is just less money I have to spend on things necessary and more money for delicious tortas!!!! Well I love you all!! Please hit me up if you want in an e-mail. I have an hour of time now!!! que les vayan bien!!!

Con amor,

Elder Grant

I'm Here!

Well here goes the big one. First off I'm overwhelmed.  I definitely do not know Spanish. haha But it's all good. This place is good and many of the members are quite strong members. That is something that I like to see. Well to start off my adventure, it is really hot down here and I sweat so so so so so so so so so so much. Such is life, I guess. I'm really grateful that the Lord called me here because I know that through the experiences and trials that I have here I will be a better and more efficient missionary and person. I don't know how many investigators we have because my comp has no idea either. That kinda kills me a tad bit. This is definitely a different world. I can't wait to see carpet again.

Well I figure I'll go over my daily activity. First off I wake up at six because the milk man drives by blasting music. Then I clean up my area, eat breakfast, shower, and then mop the bathroom and other areas that need mopped. It is only me and my companion in a little concrete box that we live in. It can get super hot. It was a mess when I got here but I'm changing that slowly but surely.  After awhile, we walk around wandering until my companion thinks of who to go visit because he doesn't like to contact people. When we do have a lesson he talks for about an hour then for another hour teaches and ya its just ridiculous. I'm a little worn down by it and I'm not really sure what to do. Tomorrow is a zone conference in San Marcos so I think I'll ask President there. That will be nice.

Well the zone I'm in is Malacatan but my area is San Isidro. It is really hot but pretty especially in a little town called Morales which is all trees and little huts. It rains every day here but I guess in a month that it will stop raining for almost six months which means it will just be hotter hahaha. Oh well thats ok. Um the food is tasty but my companion hates going anywhere so we usually only eat cereal because he feels meal time is apartment time. We do have a cook. Her name is Hermana Susy. She is a member and cooks well. We do usually go to her for lunch which is always a treat because her kids are a blast and her husband is really cool. He is a recent convert and next year they should be going to the temple.

For P-Day we played soccer for a while and it was nice to be with people who actually care about being missionaries. We had fun while my comp complained about how hard soccer is and how hot the air is and how he feels we should still do memorized lessons. O well that isn't important. It is nice to not have anyone watching over your shoulder constantly like in the CCM but that can be bad because you can end up like my comp. who doesn't even know that he is lazy.  I miss football here because I have no sports commonality with anyone.

I like how friendly people are. You can always count on people, during lessons, giving you food and drinks but yesterday was gross because in my orange juice I found an ant but I didn't want to be rude so I just drank it anyways.  hahaha.

President is super cool but doesn't speak English. He is way short. I'm not sure what else to write about. Oh wait. Yeah I do. We met a super cool guy yesterday - a new investigator - and he is really accepting. I loved it. It was probably the best lesson I have had yet. We need to get him baptized.

Well I love you all. I can't wait to hear from you. Dear elders still work here but we only get them every two weeks or so.  But I love you all and I love hearing about what is going on in your lives.

Con amor,
Elder Collin Grant

Part of San Isidro (we think)

Elder Grant in San Isidro. The bridge looks sturdy and safe.

The rain turns the streets into rivers.

Lots of green. This could be Morales.

Taxi anyone? I wonder if it is drier in there.

Just a normal rainy afternoon.

Farewell to Guatemala City

It's a Monday and I'm on email because they are letting us email you guys before we leave for the field. I'm so happy to leave. Today has been the worst though. We are stuck in another redundant class and the
class is great but we are ready to go and they are just saying the same things over and over again. Since today is my laundry day I'm getting that done. Well starting tomorrow I will hardly be speaking english for the remainder of 22 months which is crazy sick awesomesicktasticallicious!!!!!! Of coursedon't get me wrong, I'm super nervous too!

I figured that I should tell everyone some details that I missed in the last email. Well for starters I would like to tell vosotros (translation: you all) that yes everywhere we go outside there are guards with guns. Now they don't follow us or anything, they are just all over the place. When I get the chance I'll send pictures. I got one of a guy, at the gas station, just rocking a shotgun. We see him every time we go to the temple. We took pictures at the temple again today and it has been a beautiful day!!! I love it when
it is cloudy here with the sun poking through and that is about every day here!!!! I have been informed that Retalhuleu has the highest parasite infection rate of the missions here. That's okay because as long as I am careful I'll be fine.

I'm bummed out today a little bit. All my bros left today including my companion. Sad but it is a good thing. I'm sorry I'm rambling a bit I don't really have anything to go off of because I have  no return emails or dear elders which is fine because it isn't like I would receive them anyway, at least until next week. Oh ya about mole. It tastes good but I just got sick. Now it isn't a little nasty rat deal. Instead it is a spicy chocolate sauce. It is just so rich that it makes me un pocito infermo (translation: little bit sick) but I'll get used to it. I sure do miss good old americanized food though. uhhhhh....

Well last night we had a meeting in the apartment of President which is on the top floor and holy cow it is nice and comfy and there was a TV and he told us he has ESPN on there. LUCKY DOG!  I love President. He and his wife are awesome! They do so much for us and they try so hard to make the CCM a good experience and they all do a really good job.

Tonight is going to suck a little bit because its packing and I hate packing plus with the new stuff who knows if I can fit it all. I sure hope so.  Tomorrow we will get on a bus that is full of us going to Reu. We leave at 8 AM and unfortunately I'll be missing Ky by just a day. It will be nice to finally be like the rest of my friends and be in the field - like Braxton, Kelton, and all that jazz. I mean heck a week after I go out Cole will be out. Sometimes I get to thinking and realize I have spent one twelfth of my mission in the MTC process but I've grown from it and I know that it is what the Lord wanted. I'm excited to get out and actually meet the people. It will be so fun to talk to people. I've already had rejection in proselitismo and it isn't that bad. I mean it happens to everyone. It is just part of the work!

I will share my favorite word in español with you guys. I guess it's bufanda or scarf. I'll never use it but its fun to say. I got told today that I'm going to sweat everything off of me once I get to the field. It is (according to the Latinos) hottest part of Guatemala but I have heard the people are so willing to listen and they are so humble and just ready for the gospel. It is going to be amazing. I love you all. It's about time to go. I just want to share my testimony in español. Yo se que vive mi señor  y que Dios es nuestro padre celestial. Yo se que la familia es la mejor cosa en el mundo. Yo se que esta obra es la obra del señor y que mediante nuestro fe todos cosas estan posible y que nuestro profeta es un profeta
verdadera. En el nombre de Jesucristo amen.

Proselyting in the City Again

Well it looks that I leave this Tuesday at 8 AM so that is sweet. I'm nervous because for some dumb reason I feel that it is necessary for me to be fluent which isn't the case. This week has been horrid because I'm ready to leave. When I do leave I get a 5 hour bus ride to the mission home and then who knows from there.  I'm hoping and praying to go to the North part. That would be awesome. We are all starting to get ready to leave.

I guess I should talk about proselyting again. It was intense. It was really fun. We placed three Books of Mormon and had a great time. I bought some pop to sneak in jajajaja. Then my comp and I tought a nine year old kid and it was awesome. He wanted to learn about Jesus so he volunteered to go to the casa cre which is a teaching thing that is normally teaching missionaries with missionaries and its usually dumb. Anyways the kid wants to be baptized and we got him hooked up with some missionaries in his mission. That's so cool!!!!

Well I'm sorry if this is a shorter email.  I'm working on it but my brain is fried right now.  Haha sorry. I'll  work on getting pictures up asap.  I still need a snapfish account so we will se how that works out I guess.  I love everyone. We are getting kicked off early today. Todos que tengan un buen dia!!!! All have a good day. I love hearing from you. Bye!!!!

     Collin and his Provo MTC District. He grew to love these Elders. We found this picture on Elder Oertel's blog. Thank you!

Collin and Elder Oertel