Evan's Been Gone A Year! Hump Day!

Giving Dad his last hug. It was a tearful, joyful hug.

In our family, when we are leaving to go somewhere, we always say,"I love you" in sign language. Love you, Ev...

My last hug from Evan for 2 years. It was a great one!

On December 30th, after many days with family and friends, we dropped Evan off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT. He will be there approximately 3-5 weeks.

It had been an emotional few days, having to watch him say,"Good-bye" to all his siblings, their spouses, then nieces and nephews. The tears just kept coming.

But not only were they sad tears, but tears of joy! Tears of pure pride and accomplishment. Evan worked hard to be the kind of person he needed to be. He worked hard to be prepared to serve God for the next 2 years.

After crying so much, he said he was all cried out. There were no more tears for him. As for Rey, he couldn't stop crying. Rey loves raising a family. He loves the noise, the craziness, the hugs and kisses. He is so proud of our youngest child. We are truly blessed beyond measure!

I thought when I hugged Evan the last time, I would be sobbing. But, I couldn't cry either. I just kept saying,"Evan-this is so great! You are so great! You will be amazing! The people will love you like I do!" And, that is really how I felt. I can't explain the excitement I felt in my heart for him. It, I guess was pure joy! It was a beautiful feeling! Although-as a disclaimer-I cried myself to sleep that night...It IS a wonderful thing, but it still hurts. Oh, how I love this kid!

If you would like to write him-please email me for his address. I am sure he would love to hear from all of you.

I will say it again,"I am a blessed woman!"PS-Thanks Serretta for the pictures. ******************************************************************************* I wrote that post last year (on our family blog) after we dropped Evan off at the MTC. It still brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. But, there are tears for many different reasons now. Tears of gratitude for his growth in his testimony, maturity, new friends, and love for the Guatemalan people. I remember hugging him for the last time. I remember the excitement I felt as we drove up the the MTC. Seeing all the Elders waiting for him sent chills all through me. He was going to have an opportunity of a lifetime. A time for just him and God. Nothing else to distract him from this relationship with God and our Savior. It's hard to believe it has been a year. It has gone by so fast. One year to go. Will it fly by? What will he learn? How will he grow? We, as parents are grateful for those who love, support and pray for Evan. They have been such a support to us as well. I am grateful for sons and daughters that love the youngest in our family. That faithfully write him, and encourage him. I am also grateful for Missionary Moms that show their love and concern for someone they have never even met. That truly is the pure love of Christ. Evan has been blessed more than we could have ever imagined as we pulled our car into the MTC Dec 30, 2009. We sure love him and miss him, but wouldn't chose for him to be anywhere else on earth! Happy Hump Day Ev!

Our Christmas Phone Call:

Christmas Eve Elder Saenz Brooothers-I can really dunk! ALL my packages from family and friends Two of our daughters and their husbands were here to talk to Evan. It was fun as each one took their turn, to listen to the RMS talk and reflect on their missions. Oh, how I love that! Highlights from our call: *He was reading 'Jesus The Christ' when we called. *He shared stories from his journal with his bro-in-law. But said I couldn't hear. ;) *He sings a hymn to those he is teaching before every lesson. *He never thought he would love the people as much as he does. He would do anything for them. *Elder Saenz in his brand-new companion. *There were so many fireworks that kept them awake on Christmas Eve, they sang Christmas songs together to pass the time. *Bore his testimony in Spanish to his sister, Serretta. *Working with 3 families that love learning the Gospel. They should be set for baptism in January. *His daily routine is pretty much this: Wakes up and prays Works out Studies individually Companion Study time Breakfast Works until 1 p.m. Lunch/snack Works until 8p.m. or 9p.m.(Culturally-They really don't ever have dinner) *He lives in a cement house without a shower or bathroom. He cleans up by heating water and washing off every morning. He does his "business" in a tub/pail outside. It is only cleaned out every 9 days. *The poorest people in his area drape plastic or a tarp over a tree branch for shelter. The richest people live in a cement house with plastic flooring. *LOVES his MTC Companion, Elder Toolson-"He is the man!" *Saw Elder Mays at the temple on Tuesday! *He hasn't ever met Elder Smith, but has talked to him on the phone several times. Says he hears nothing but good about him. "I know he is a good missionary" *Expressed deep appreciation and love for his dad. *Set a fecha with the "Ice Queen". She has had 4 other sets of missionaries, and would never set a date-but has with him. *Pretty hard on himself for lack of baptisms. Talked alot about that with his Zone Leader, and realized that it is not about him, but about the people and the Savior. Since that conversation, he has worked harder on serving and just loving. *Our card had one minute left, the call was cutting out, and had quite a delay. So as he and I were trying to say good-bye, there seem to be some hesitation. We both expressed our love for each other. I tried to express how proud I was of him and his dedication. He said, "Mom, I can never tell you how much I love you and your support. I was a very hard kid, and I now realize how much you relied on the Lord to help me. Thank you for being my mom. I love you." Then the phone call was cut off. I will say it for the rest of my life-There is nothing like having a missionary. Ever! There are many great and wonderful blessings in being a parent-seeing your children succeed, being there when they are married in the temple, having grandchildren, seeing your family grow and develop. But there is nothing like having a missionary. The feeling in your home, the peace, the blessings. Nothing like it. We are truly blessed parents.

Llanos de Santa Maria-Dec 27, 2010

Family!! SO this week was crazy intensly full. But fun. First of all, Tuesday I got my new comp. Elder Saenz...He's from Nicaragua. Skinny. Glasses. But good missionary. Thennnn...we worked that night then the next day I did divisions with Elder Cruz. otrrro vez. But it was good. Then the 24th was a day of 10,000,003,851,789,561 tamales and ponche. (Ponche is a fruit drink with warm pineapple, apple, grapes, raisins...bunch of fruit) But it taste like potpourri (that's not how you spell it, is it?) Sooo after about a half of a cup, I was over it. But little did I know I would drink over 15 that day...and the 25th...and yesterday haha. We pretty much just did a lot of visits around to members and investigators. It was calm and good. The bazillion fireworks kept me up all night so I just went on the roof and watched. It was fun. I guess it's twice as big for New Years. Which I don't know how that's possible cuz seriously the sky was FUUUULLLL of smoke and fire works. It was cool. But ridiculously loud haha. Then i called you guys the 25th! That was crazy. I felt so weird chattin with you guys. I forgot you were so real. So thats pretty much how my week went. Nothing too fantastic. But it was really eventful. Oh! Also we had a district activity...we just played UNO...got pizza...and talked. It was good. I love it cuz I'm finally good enough to speak all the jerga here and just chat it up with whichever latino. Speaking of Spanish speakers. Daniel...you're pretty impressive that surprised me! You're way dope man!! Props to you. Question... Dad? Remember that lame bag pipes music you had? Well...funny enough. It wasn't lame. I was the lame one not appreciating good bag pipes. But you guys think you can send me a CD of bag pipes or something? That would seriously rock to listen too... Other Question...How much would a Quad (scriptures) in English cost? Some dude in my ward here asked me...He wants to buy one, I think..So if you guys could look that up that'd rock. About the fotos I sent...Brothers: I'm gonna be a dunking master when I get home. I've been working on my ups...Don't act like your not impressed. That was after like 6 tries to get a good foto cuz my photographer was lame. So I was a little cansado. I'm dope. Yeeeep....that's about all I got to say about the week. A little boring, huh? But I super loved it. Weve got Margarita whos gonna have a fecha in about a week. Also a hermano in my ward. Hermano Salvador. so we are looking at two secure baptisms. I just gotta wait for their papers to go through. Dope. So that's my mish. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and got what they wanted. For real though. Anyways, take it easy. Elder Fast

Llanos de Santa Maria-Dec 20, 2010

Well hey!! Today was changes. Again. I seriously feel like I had a change last week. Weird. But my comp left. Bummer. Him and I reeeeaally started to kick some butt. We FINALLY put a fecha for the 6th of next month, and it's looking pretty secure. Her name is Gabriela. She's the Ice queen. Her heart is dure. The missionaries have been working with her for 4 years and would never accept a fecha... now she has one. DOPE!!!! I'm loving the mission and my area. The Ward is sooooo amazing. Seriously you have no idea. They just love the missionaries. They treat us every way you would want them to treat me.... like calling me 'cabesita' and stuff like that haha. This Christmas prep here in Guat has been going reeeeaaallly well. I'm lovin it. All this talk of ponche and tamales. Can't wait. Actually I can though... I don't really dig on the punch here. So for my change I'm training a new Elder. It will be good. I get to go to the temple tomorrow and then meet him. Saaaaaber who it is. But it'll be good. Elder Rivera ended up being the hardest working companion with me. I love the kid. He has the biggest heart in the world. So the change was bitter sweet. As for my boys in the mish-Elder Toolson and Jennings, Toolman is staying in Peten. Just like he wanted. Awesome. Jennings staying in his area... he's already been there 6 months haha. But he's got such a good attitude. This past week went well. I did divisions with the ZLs and I got sick. Lame. So we played cards and I slept. I got a migraine. That's only like the 3rd one of my whole mish. The Lord rocks. We had 3 investigators in church and 2 for the first time. The area is slowly progressing. I'm learning most my mission will be planting seeds and not harvesting. That's been hard for me to swallow. But I have been blessed with other things to see the fruits of my work. I've been super blessed. I gotta be honest I feel like this email is pointless cuz I get to chat with some of you Saturday... I'm so excited. DB(Dear Broooother)...que suerte tuve la oportunidad hablar un poquito con tigo. Se que Dios me ispiro para llamar al momento te llame. Les Amo muchiiiisimo. (tu familia vos :) ) (Evan called on Sunday to give us his number for the Christmas call. We were with Ryan, Steph and Fam-Evan was able to talk to them 3 minutes!!) ANYWAYS...I LOVE YOU ALL TONS...WE WILL CHAT SABADO...WHOO! Love you, Elder Fast Hi Momma! I dont have much to tell ya cuz I know I get to talk to you soon. First of all... I want you to know I'm doing soooo well about not thinking about home anymore. I love it because some nights I catch myself stressed before I fall asleep, just cuz I'm thinking about my investigators. I'm proud of me. In an unprideful way. Mother, thank you for the sacrifices you make for me. Also if you can tell Jason and Page thank you one more time for me that'd be soooo nice of you. Elder Rivera wanted me to tell you thank you for the packages as well. He loved them. It really made him happy. Mother...I'm lucky for you and Dad. Have fun at the Las Vegas Bowl. I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Elder Fast. P.S. Im not bragging, in fact I've been trying to hide it from you because it doesn't matter. At all. But I feel blessed because some of the fruits of my work have been to be district leader for a while. Now a district leader and trainer. There are only three of those in the whole mission. Not bragging. I just want you to see too that I am working hard, Just want you and pa to be proud of me. Love you guys!!

Llanos de Santa Maria-Dec 13, 2010

Zone Christmas Party Me and Elder Jennings Me and Elder Navas We found a Cascadota! This is Elder Cruz-he has been out 3 months. So this week I just wanted to write one long letter, no individuals. Just so I can really let you know how I've been doing. The mission is seriously incredible. I have never been happier in my life. Hands down. Nor more humbled. The mission really took me for a ride. It really isn't anything you can expect. It's better in every way possible. I'm comin up on a year and its really sent me back to think how my last year has been and what I've done as a missionary, how I can improve, etc... It's pretty much come down to: I'm happy with what I have done, but I'm dying to do more. More of that, because I couldn't communicate perfectly or reeeeallly say what I wanted. But these past few changes have reaaaallly been amazing. I can communicate everything now. Like say my true feelings, make good jokes in Spanish (I'm still way funny :) ) haha and all that stuff. Also I haven't really seen the fruits of my labor yet. That's been kickin my butt... OR so I thought I haven't. Anyways last night as I was taking dats(stats) I was thinking about 5 things I've accomplished this past year... First, the language. Second, I realized how much I truly love these people. How much these people here have grown on me and I will literally do anything to serve them. I've really come to love the people. I literally would give anything for them. SO humble!!! Giving, loving and family oriented. Third, I've seen a HUGE change in me... I'm still me. Still kinda a goober with a little head. But I've learned a lot. The mission really humbled me. Fourth, I've really come to see the influence I had growing up and how truly blessed I really was. From like age 15 to 19-I seriously wouldn't be here, if it weren't for You Guys. I don't know why I was so blessed for that. It made me think back to who I was then and who I've become now. Fifth...well... ssaaaaaaber. haha I only came up with four out of 5. haha. But if I think of a fifth, I'll let you know. Anyways...those are all fruits of my labor. The language, my love for the people, being humbled, and the family is a blessing to my obedience in the pre-earth life. Awesome. Anyways...that's how I feel about my mission. I feel a true devotion to this work as the days go on. I find the little things such as sleeping or things like that, a waste of time. (yes db (dear broooother)...I wake up at 6:30... ebery day) So now after all that "spiritual" stuff let's get to the week. We had Zone conference. And that was really good. We watched about the Savior's birth and all that. President Torres and Sister Torres are so amazing for doing that. Then we had about a 2 hour long lunch party. I loved it. It was reeeally enjoyable. You'll see some pics below.. So that was good. Then I did divisions is San Pedro... The dying area of the misison. It's sad. The assistance (attendance) there is about 25 on a good week. Literally. While I was there we found a Cascadooooota!!! haha You'll see that foto below, too. Just a tiny river. Elder Cruz has 3 months in the mish. He's awesome. We found 8 news (investigators) there together. Really good day. That area needed it. Then we had a Crazy looooong stake activity Saturday night! We brought 7 investigators!!! The choir sang 2004895718964 songs, I think. After 4, everyone was irreverent and wanted the choir to stop...Me of course, just made fun of how long it was to all my investigators and made them all giggle. So that was good. BUT! The coolest thing ever, when we all walked outside they shut off the lights and just had an AMAZING firework show! Seriously it was like the States!!! I was soooo happy. Everyone loved it. It was about 10 minutes long. Sooooo cool. Good week. Then Sunday came around..... yep... no one came to church. Cuz we got home from the activity soooo late (9:35p.m.) I was ticked. Even members didn't go. Lame. But what do you do. Our main investigator Margarita is praying today to see if this is the true church. Then we are having a family home evening with her tonight. I'm praying soooo hard she receives an answer. If so, it'll end up being a baptism of about 3. Her, their children. And her esposo will come not too far after. He is just hard to find. She's our best prospect right now. I truly love her family. You guys should see their faith. They are so dope. We had 9 with members this week. But taught about 32 lessons over all. And 13 news(investigators). It's going well. Oh to answer your questions mother... My ZLs are Elder Williams and Elder Fernandez. Both AMAZING missionaries. Seriously. They put out the best example ever. There are about 26 elders in the zone i think. And 10 in my district. Think there is about 185Elders in the mission as of right now too. Awesome. So I get to talk to you guys in 2 weeks or so!!! I'M SOOOOO EXCITED! That'll be fun. I only have 40 minutes... So I don't think I'll be able to call anyone really, other then Mom... Lame, cuz my family is huge. But it's the reglas. So I'm thinking if you have questions you want answered that would take a long respuesta just text them to mom and she can write them down then tell you what I say... I'd sure like to hear one from all of you :) So that's about all...I sent you all a tiny Christmas letter with a foto. Those are my Christmas greetings. I haven't sent one to Leora Mike (I lost it with the last letter I sent sorry), and Ryan and Steph (I just never got your new address sorry too! cuz I don't have your address)...please send those to me asap!! I wanna get you your letters! Mom and dad get a package :) Whoo. Don't be celoso family. So did Kal... what? :) I'm still so joven. Puchis. Que extrano puedo hablar esta idioma. jaja db(s) no les creo que ustedes puedan hablar asi tambien!!! que Chilero!!!! tienen que ensenarme la jerga que aprendieron tambien!!! Va a ser bien calidad hablar con usteded :) Les Quiero mucho. I gotta go!! Just one last thing.... Put these songs on your ipods...you wont regret it...at least look them up for me... Te Amo by: Makano No me digas que no by: Enrique Iglesia Mi nina bonita by : chino y nacho! I hear those songs allll the time I looove it!! NO ME DIGAS QUE NOOOOO:.....NO ME DIGAS ADIIIOOOOOSSS...te lo quiero sincero..yada yada Anyways...long letter...not very good...just wanted to let you guys know some new stuff... The mish is good! Love you tons!!!! Elder Cabesita

A Christmas Package For Us

i ma y pa! So I feel really lame I couldn't put together a better package. The area I was in literally had nothing. And I never had an opportunity to get the cool stuff. I did get you some cool things though. The Choco Mani are my favorite treats here. And, the Tocinitos are my favorite snacks. I also got "Wall-E" so you can have that at home for the grandkids, as well as the legendary "Good, Bad and The Ugly" movie! That's for dad :) Also, "The Testaments"! I hope you didn't have it. I LOVE that movie. Especially the spirit it brings. More than anything, I sacrificed having all my photos with me so you can literally have EVERY foto I have ever taken :) I made a bunch of videos for you guys knowing you'd get my card soon. I hope you can imagine my mission better. I LOVE it! You guys are THE best. Can Mucho Corino, Elder Fast

Llanos de Santa Maria-Dec 6, 2010

Well hi!!! Freak, this week was like the 2nd coolest week I've ever had in the mission! First, clearly being the week I almost died of Deng Gae fever. Duh. So, I'm just gonna sum it up right quick. 16 lessons with members!!! Whoooo!!!! Elder Rivera and I have this ward pumpin' to go work with us! And this coming week we should get some more. Looooove it here. All except the dust that literally makes me just drip snot from my nose... (kinda like when Rey singed all his nose hairs from the fire and snot would just drip out ahahah) But seriously. You saw last weeks pictures. Gross. So other then our hard work and bustin up the area this week I blew it Sunday morning!!!! There is THE SICKEST family in my area. Familia Lopez Cruz. We taught them last Sunday...because literally the father is gone from 5:30 in the morning until 10 at night. lame. But I love him. (He can only hear out of 1 ear.) Anyways we taught them, they loved it. Yesterday after church we went back and she had visitors over so we couldn't go in!!! Bummer. (we were with a member too :)) But, we got to talking and she had prayed about our last message and she told us she felt it was true!!!!!!! Do you know how many times that's happened on my mission!?....well twice. But this time its legit! I'm sooooo excited for them....Oh reason I said I blew it is because she said that she wanted to go to church in the morning but she didnt know how to enter! Woooooooow. I was so bummed I didn't think to go by their house. We went to like 300 other houses except hers. But, this coming week for sure. And we have a stake activity this coming week. Annnd she said she'd come with all her kids. 3. Two of baptismal age. I'm soooo excited. So yeah. That was how I blew it. But we will pick that back up. We found a bunch of newbies, too. Our area is really picking up the pace....... My email is all about missionary work... haha Cool story of this past week... well yesterday. So I had 2 investigators at the Christmas Devotional yesterday. Cool. So for some reason there was no signal for the satellite. It was about 7:03 and we knew it had started. Me and Elder Sakaviech went in the room where the satellite panel was and said a quick prayer and without thinking I just flipped a few switches that looked good and then boom! It was on! How cool that I got to be part of that little blessing. I think as people we look far past those blessings and at times even feel deserving of them. Anyways, I thought it was really cool. Then after the Devotional I thought about last Christmas.....Made me miss you guys, cuz that was the last time I saw you. Buuuut. I get tamales here. And more tamales. Don't be jealous. So that's about it. This work is really going well. I'm super grateful for my mission and how things have been going. I hope things keep picking up in my area. We are starting to get some good progressing people. Hope it continues. So yeah. Love you all tons. I'm crazy intense jealous you guys have In n Out and all that jazz. But I've never been happier. Love you all tons. Elder Fast P.S. Shout out to My bro Rey!!!!! T'was your birthday! I remembered the day of and felt way cool. Just how old are you now??? 29 30 31??? Ssssaaaber... Also, Daniel I know yours is comin' so don't worry. Mommmmmmmma! So you'd be proud of me. I wrote everyone a tiny Christmas card for each one in our family and with a picture. I think that'd be cool. So I hope they like it. SO I thought about you a lot this week. How you and dad are just amazing. I wish you guys were in this ward :) I'd go visit you guys a lot :) SO nothing really new other then what I wrote you. Sorry. So I dunno if youve seen Llanos on Google Earth...but it's dust and tin houses. Veeery few cement houses. And I live in a cement home. :) So that's really about it. I wrote you a letter today so I feel like I've told you everything. Make sure you let everyone know I love them tons. Thank you for your letter!! I can't wait to read it!!! It's HUUUUGE!!! Anyways I love love love you, Mom! Elder Fast

Llanos de Santa Maria-November 29, 2010

Me in Llanos Me and Elder Rivera-he's such a good guy. I can't remember haha. But I think it's funny if you know Spanish. haha A little dude in my area...He's 12 if you can believe it or not...This stud takes his 6 year old sister and 2 year old sister to church without his parents!!! SO SICK!! I gave him candy from the package from Aubri and Daniel :) A sweet jacket I got because of Thanksgiving haha My packages :) Thank you guys. seriously. MY TREE!!!!!! Yeah, thats a Guatemalan flag for the star...SO SICK!!! This is for Aubs and Daniel...you guys are my heroes. Well hi!! Im super excited about this past week!!!! Things went really well. It went a little like this...whoo!!! wowwww...haha....whoohoo!!! AMAZING!!!! So yes, that was about it. The whoo!!! Is I felt better finally and my sinus infection cleared. I can finally breathe through my nose. esoo!!!! I have a picture I'll send you about that. hahaha The wowwww was when we got a call from our ZLs and we had an interview with Pres.. I've gotten more of those then any other elder ever I think. haha. Hes such an amazing man. He called me in and told me about all the things I gotta do....So I better do them. :) The Whoohoo!!! Was this past Sunday. One of the better Sundays I've ever had. I gave a talk...and if your wondering if I started with the best joke EVER!!!!! I did. Everyone was dying. The bishop right behind me couldn't stop laughing haha. Good guy. It was the one where the Bishop called the most handsome, intelligent, goodlooking person to speak and he said, "no yadda yadda"...You guys know that one? Hope so. Anyways my whole ward thinks I'm the coolest Elder ever now. Also me and my comp taught the Sunday School too. And after we recieved 37 references!!!! WHOOOOO!!!!!!! That's only part of the amazing. So this coming week we will just spend all our time contacting them!! Dope!! That's exactly what we needed in our area right now. So the AMAZING!!! Well Friday we were contacting and I contacted this dude whose about 40, and we set a return appointment for Sunday...anyway we went and his wife and family were there. Margarita the wife, Jorge the dude, Jorge the 10 year old, Alejandro the 8 year old, and Eduardo the 5 year old.... So here in Guat to find a family with a good guy and mother is near to impossible. at least has been so far in my mission. So we taught them a lesson and they are SOOOOO pilas!!! I'm so excited to keep teaching them. They were so receptive and willing to learn. It made the whole week worth it. So good. So I'm reeeallly excited to continue teaching them. We will see how they progress. So good story...you guys think you're all cool cuz you ate pumpkin pie and stuff for thanksgiving and played football. Yea...well I made no bake cookies!!! SOOOO good. They seriously were amazing. You have no idea. Then I got 2 packages on Thanksgiving!!!!!! WHOOO!!!! They were supposed to be for Christmas... so if you think I waited. I didn't.... :) Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much. Seriousy those were amazing. I'm like savouring every little thing I got. Thank you, thank you. Times 10,000. Thanks. So I also bought a christmas tree!!!!!! 30 quetz with lights and everything!!! :) And I put candy canes from the package in there and also those maroon ribbons I got in the other package!! And the lights play Christmas music!!! So sick. It's about 3 feet tall...and if your wondering if i leave the lights on all night....I do :) And if youre wondering if I put the packages under the tree for presents, I did :) So good. I love it. I'm excited for you guys to have Christmas! It's comin up! And I get to call!!! WHOOO!!! So yep...that's about how my week went. I'm already getting my Christmas cards ready for every single one of the family members and friends. Awesome.... so I'm hoping the same. At least send me pictures of your families for Christmas!!! I really want photos! (like from everyone...just saying (shout out to Mom, Aubri, and Kallee for that..probably the only three who keep me updated that way) just saying. I love you guys tons and hope all is well. The work is reaaaally going well. Thank you so much for your prayers and letters. Elder Fast

Llanos de Santa Maria-November 22, 2010

Well hi! I'm way excited to let you know the updates of my new area and comp. Wooot :) Well my area... I still haven't had too much time to work in it. I was sick all last week with a sinus infection and the flu. So that was lame. But, I'm all better now! And we still got some work done cuz I organized divisions with members so that they could be home with me and my comp could work. So a bunch of people just came and sat with me as I slept. So dope. Guatemalans just love. I love it. So we have zero fechas. But by the end of this week we want to have 2. One with Patricia and Gabriela. So we will see what we can do for them. Im here in a ward now. The assistance (attendance) was 125 last week. WOW!!!! I guess that's the highest it's been over here in like 4 months. All's they need is my presence. I'm good looking, so what? It's just one of my debilidades. jaja SO, my Comp is doing well!! We made some really good goals together and I get along with him very well. We are gonna kick some butt over here in Llanos (the dust pit) Llanos is about 45 minutes outside the capital in a bus. So not too far. But i love it. It's huge and I was forever far away. But I like that my shoes and stuff get so dusty... I feel like im a hard working missionary haha. Yea it's only dirt roads. With one paved road. And I live on it! Woo! Everyone is already preparing for us to come over for Christmas haha. Just like 9 citas already to go eat tamales. I'm not really looking forward to that. 10 bucks says every tamale has a hair in it haha. Our bishop here reeeeaaallly is amazing. He's got the ward in line. I love him so much. Such a good man. As well as his wife. Hands down he is my favorite. As far as cool stories go for this week.... Well I roasted marshmallows over a candle :) (tasted weird) but way fun. I havent had a roasted mallow in awhile. My comp thought it was the coolest thing in the entire world haha. Amazing guy. I couldn't read much scriptures this week cuz I couldn't really focus cuz my eyes were so bad from my infection. So I had my comp just read me the Book of Mormon everyday. That was waaaaayyy cool. I LOVE how you can just feel the power of the words when its read outloud. thought a lot about home too haha. I imagined the song "I'll be home for Cristmas" then in my head I hought...no I won't haha And to be honest that doesn't make me as sad as I thought. I dont wanna go home. Also this week while laying down I thought about what you guys are all each doing.. And that was weird. In my head you guys were all just frozen. I forgot you guys have to live and progress too. Cool. I also thought how cool it is our WHOLE family is sealed together for eternity. How cool will it be to see each other in the Celestial kingdom and play Mafia with Mom and Mel laughing at nothing? haha Well...that's about the latest on my week. Nothing too dazzling but it was good. I'm really excited for a full week of work coming up!!! I love you all tons! Elder fast P.s. Para los Catratchos y mexicanos que puedan placticar con migo en español. solo quiero decirles tienen que aprender vos. Les amo nenas

Llanos de Santa Maria-November 15, 2010

Sun was in my face but that's my new area! Me and Elder Lemus. The shoes describe the area. Navas and me...LOOK WHO ELSE I saw at change conference!!! That kid was in my first area!! Crazy!!! (Note to our Family: Do you recognize the tie Elder Navas is wearing? :)-so awesome!) Elder Jennings, Toolson, and ME! THOSE ARE MY BESTEST FRIENDS!! Familia- I dont have any cool stories except I threw up hard core for the first time here. All last night I was hurling. For a good 20 minutes. Then after I felt fine. I just think I had too many black beans. The mish is really cruisin' along. I hardly even feel the time. I remember how long the days used too take. And now I swear sometimes days don't even pass. It's weird. Im really happy. The mission is really perfect. I'm getting comfortable with all our rules and find them really easy to live by now. Like the no TV thing. I literally walk into peoples' houses and just turn it off haha. I don't even ask. I love it here. The beans, eggs, girls with mustaches, dust, and spiders crawlin all over my stuff. Everything's good! Sorry my email was lame. Don't have much great to tell ya! Con mucho amor! Elder Cabesito (now thats funny haha)

Handwritten Letter-October 26, 2010

Our first like 5 minutes together. Elder Navas and me working. We built a house. You can't tell but he's literally holding the ladder. This is me and Elder Seppi. He is so funny! Guatemala-I love it! Elder Navas and I. We just got home from a rain storm-like always. This is a jacket Elder Toolson had made for me! So awesome! It's made out of corte-The traditional material here. This is a Guate Dog...There are much worse ones, But for some reason, it struck me as funny. So ugly! All of this gear is a members. And I told him how I want to be a Bombero (Fireman), so he had me put on all his stuff. Kinda Halloween! Elder Navas and I being hooligans. Hi Padres! I just wanted to write you a quick note and send you pictures. Here in the Capital it's alot harder to print off photos. Salama was way better. I already look alot different than these photos I think. But I hope you like them. Things are going really well here in Las Ilusiones. I've got alot of investigators and everything. I super love this work! The other night we had some Family Home Evenings with 2 families. And I had them do it in the same form we used to do it. So fun. I forgot about all those memories. Thank you for being such good parents. As well as having trust in me. I always show people our "Family Photo" of right before I left. People don't believe you guys are mid-50s. Cuz everyone here looks ancient by then. They think you are 40ish. Thought that'd make you feel good. I super duper love you guys. Thanks so much for your support and love for me. I truly am grateful. Love you! -Elder Fast P.S. Can you send me a post card of Las Vegas? That would be cool to show people where I am from!

Colonia Las Ilusiones/Zona 18-Nov. 8, 2010

I'm so excited to email you all this week. You have no idea!!! I really don't even have any stories! Just one... but more then anything I just am super happy in the mish! Story... We had a fecha for Geovani for the 13th of this month! And he SUPER wants to get baptized that day...and he has like over 900 thousand times in church...He just couldnt get permission from his parents. But now hes 18! whooo!!! Downfall: He didn't come to church this week because a drunk dude robbed him and punched his face. So he had a big ole lip and stuff so he didn't want people to see. We are gonna move his fecha back to the 20th...just to be safe....or whatever the spirit says to do! Also familia Rivera Ephrain. They have two times in church as well. We just gotta help them learn more. The wife is dope! And I think 67 months pregnant. At least that's what it looks like. I have changes this week. Well I find out tonight. I dunno whats gonna happen. And really I don't care. The work is the same everywhere with anyone.. So that's about the latest here in Las Ilusiones. Nothin tooo new. But I have never been happier in the mission. It really is such a perfect place to live and preach... You guys ever wonder why the Savior was so gracious? Or how we can honestly become God's when we are so lame? WOW! The plan really is the plan of happiness. I love that. Anyways...lame letter...Go ducks.... and Lobos...just thought I'd give New Mexico a shoutout. Hey question...since Christmas is comin' up soon-y'all are preparing HUGE packages, right? cool! thanks :) Shoutout to Rey for finally writing me! I thought he lost my email or something. To Ryan as well. Lately we have just been talkin' about mission stuff. Daniel and Aubs-3rd most faithful writers my whole mission. Keep it up!! Please? :) I love you guys. Tied for first....Clearly mom And Sisar McBride. Dope...you guys have both only missed one week. You rock. So that's about it... Just wanna let you all know I love you...nothing else matters but College football....whoops, I mean the work... But seriously. Heart, might, mind, and strength. I love you all! Les amo!! Elder Fast Mother! So a few more things I wanted to tell you! Thank you so much for all of your letters and updates you give me! You have no idea how much I look forward to them. I'll let you know all about changes next week. Who even knows. Things are going well in the mission. I super have had an opportunity of a lifetime these past 10 months. Im so blessed I get to do that all over again and then some. I'm going to do way better. I'm going to be perfect. Thats my plan. I found a cool simple scripture that just randomly popped into my head to share with you. I only have read it in Spanish and it was cool. So I hope it is in English, cuz sometimes they're different. Moroni 7:26. I like simple scriptures. I love you tons mother. I'm constantly thinking about you. And also Pops. I better be like you guys with my wife. But first I gotta be like dad as a missionary. I love you tons. Elder Fast

Las Ilusiones/Zona 18-Nov 2, 2010

The Guatemala Temple Elder Navas and me at the Temple Another amazing picture of the temple! Cool Pic of Me! Me and Elder Navas. haha sooo lame. This me and Elder Chavarria...we went on divisions in his area...he is awesome! My neighbors dog-I guess this was his Halloween Costume hahahaha After playing kickball(so we're all quemado)some members bought us sheca bread....yummmy Well hi! Sorry I didn't get to email yesterday! None of the Internet places were open cuz it was "Day of the dead"... or 'national get drunk if your guat day'! Cool! But I had a really good day. Our district played kickball with another district. We kicked some butt. Then we had a water baloon (how do you spell that? balloon? well its globo in spanish.) fight. Way fun. We did it in our missionary clothes too haha. Ruined a tie of mine. But it was a really good day. Even better yet we had a good week! We had Fam. Rivera our investigators come to church!!!! For a second time!! WHOA! and Geovani!! He's got a fecha for the 13th. He reeeeaaaly wants to be baptized. But hes gotta stop smoking. So we pass by everyday and read the Book of Mormon with him. Awesome. I went on divisions this week with Elder Garcia. I showed him some new tricks. And he showed me more. Hes a stud. He's also from Honduras...like our whole mission. We found a dope new investigator in his area. Rogelio. He already has a fecha to be baptized and went to church last week. Cool. So I've got two stories...one spiritual...and one opuesta...so I'll get the non spiritual one out of the way...soooo gross. So just so ya'll know culture here... It's not weird to breast feed. Like at all here. And this Sunday in church in Gospel Principles class, there was a lady feeding her child right next to me (and they feed them until they are like 6 or even 7 sometimes.) just cuz it saves money. Anyway, this child was about 3. So clearly he can walk. He stops doing his thing..stands up...takes a step toward me (as I'm reading the scriptures aloud!) and bites my arm....... so...I finish reading. Look at my arm cuz its all wet. And there were white drops of milk and saliva alllllll where he bit! GROSS!!!! I literally gagged and rubbed it off. My comp just laughed at me. haha. But seriously? That is hands down one of the grossest things to happen to me down here. Bleh. So... yep. That's how my life is down here. K, now for a cool experience I learned a lot from that I wanted to tell you guys. There is a lady in my area. Hermana Pacheco. She's about 60..but seriously looks 80. She is dirt poor. Literally eats one hard boiled egg with a tortilla for dinner cuz she doesn't have too many teeth. Her husband used to be a member and went waaaaay wack. And now is way hardcore evangelico. And he doesn't treat her the best. Anyways last week Elder Navas and I were sitting in the shade eating the lunch we just bought from a tienda, and she walks up and hands us a quetzal. (that could buy like 2 bags of water...or a tiny bag of tortrix) and tells us to go get some water. I felt way intense gratitude. We aren't suppossed to accept money but she was sooo persistent. She doesnt have that to give away as well. Anyway, this Sunday she came to church like always. All alone. She just sits and listens. After sacrament I had to go speak with the bishop, and she went up to him shook his and and gave him 5 quetzales!!!! To pay her tithing!!! I was blown away!! If her husband found that out he would freak out!! And she cant afford that! But this little breakable, sweet lady had this amazing faith in her that not many people get to see! She didn't realize I saw her give it. She didn't give my comp and I the quet for us to think shes cool. She just does it to serve. To fulfill her duty here on earth, and to show her devotion to Heavenly Father. The reason it hit me so hard, is because there are so many people like this in the world. There are sooo many people that we could learn from if we just keep our eyes open. In all honesty, That lady is a huge example to me. I know in her own little way the Lord his making her a powerful servant. I was super blessed to see that. And learn from her. Also...as I've been reading the scriptures, I've reeeeallly been thinking about how the greatest people in them are ones who recognize the Lord's hand in their lives. But not just often, in almost everything. I think that's so important. In all honesty, I know that was the Lord blessing me to see that. And to learn from that scenerio. So...that's what I learned this week. It was a good week. We have some baptisms the 13th of November, but changes are coming up here in a week. Weird. Way too fast. But I'm sure I'll stay here :) Whoo! Anyways im gonna send fotos of the last few weeks. I love yall tons! Elder Fast Mother! First... I GOT MY PACKAGE!!!!!! WHOA!!! SOOOOOOO good. Seriously mom it was the best. Thank you... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! It seriously was perfect. Those treats...sooooooo good....already gone. Of course. And the decorations! Soooo good!! Thank you mom. Seriously thank you! So..I gotta admit that whooole In-n-out thing was pretty jacked up. I LOVED IT THOUGH! !! (I sent him a wrapper from a burger with some sauce still on it)I cut out some signs that came with it and carry them everywhere now haha. I always tell people all about it. Thank you!!! So I have some favors to ask of you. Can you send me pictures of me playing soccer my senior year? I always talk about it but got no fotos to show it...Maybe just take pictures of the pictures then email them to me or something? That'd be awesome! Pleeease? So...yea thats about it...I love you tons mother...thank you for your detailed letters. It seriously is the best feeling to know the time you put into me being out here. At times I don't think I realize how much you do for me and that's lame. I really am sooo grateful though, mom. I'm happy you and dad are all busy and kicking it in everything. I love you both sooo much. Thank you for everything! Love Elder Fast.

Colonia Las Ilusiones/Zona 18-Oct. 26, 2010

Whoa mother!! The Temple was seriously AMAZING!!!!! I was BLOWN AWAY!!! I haven't done a session in over 8 months!! It's so dang important to go every single week or so! I loved it. Literally when I first walked in and was just getting my pants and stuff I almost started crying because I had forgotten the spirit of the temple. oy. I'd forgotten that that's why we teach families can be together forever. Wow! That is a special place. And is HANDS DOWN the Lord's house. I could literally feel so much peace in there. It was such a blessing to have gone there. I'm SOOO uplifted right now :) But tired. I woke up at 4:20 in the am. And that about trashed me. So I'm gonna go take a nap after this. Since today is my free day :) So I have a story of just today... ready to hear how blessed i am? So there is a PILAS family in my area. They wash our laundry every week. So you know that they're awesome. But, they have 2 daughters, age 7 or 6 and about 3. The wife is a member (always giving references and stuff, sooo awesome.) and the husband is not(He has received the missionaries for the past like 4 years, and has ZERO intention on changes. He made that super clear to me my first day) SO today they had a doctor's appointment near the temple, and for some reason the husband had desire to go see the temple after, and it just so happens they got there right when I got out!! And he had a few questions just about why he couldn't go in and so on. And his wife expressed to me why they had showed up! So for some reason I just offered them to use my camera to take fotos...I dunno why. Just did. That's the spirit :) They were taking pictures of themselves and their daughters at the temple. Then I took pictures of them all together in front of the temple! COOL!!!! After he had like 3 REALLY good questions about Moroni, why he was there, and why they all face the same way, so I answered. Then he asked why we don't know when the Second Coming is and stuff and it went reaaaally well. You could see a new desire to know more because of the power of the temple! So I feel super strongly to teach about families for eternity!! So were doing that tonight :) I think the Lord has a plan for them. Who knows when. But this is and was for sure a huge stepping stone. I just love seeing desire in people to hear this message. So yea...that was my cool story from today. Things are really good. I love it. So, that is the latest here. I love you mother. I'm super tired. But thank you so much for your prayers. I have alot of fotos to send home and a memory card. And it just so happens I have a sweet mom who bought me two memory cards, so while you have that one, I'll have this one :) We will talk a little more bout that later. Anyways, I love you mom. Dad is Awesome!!! That rocks he is going to UNLV, was selected by the Head Referee and is teaching his dream. He's the man. I gotta follow his camino he made! I Love you! Love your GCN Elder Elder Fast

Elder Fast & Elder Toolson-MTC Dec'09-Feb'10

The day before Evan left, his camera got lost. We kept thnking it would show up while he was packing. We unpacked and repacked his things thinking we had missed it somehow. After he entered the MTC, I was still looking for it. In his room, in our car, in the trash, etc..But to no avail we never found it. We sent him a new camera. The night before leaving the MTC, it was dropped. When Evan called from the airport in Dallas, the first words I heard were,"Mom, I am sooooooo sorry!" I have to say my heart dropped hearing those words. What did that mean? Well, it meant we would be buying yet another camera. Luckily enough, Elder Toolson did have a camera!! These are a few of the pictures taken at the MTC while Elder Toolson and Evan were companions. You can tell they became fast friends! (Thanks for sharing Cheri! You are the best!) They look so handsome and eager to learn This was titled-"We are going to show the others how it's done" Guatemala here we come! "THE District" Their last dinner in the MTC. We know someone that works at the MTC. They REALLY wanted to buy Evan and Elder Toolson In-n-Out as their last meal before leaving the states. Evan's favorite meal of all time:In-n-Out Cheeseburger with onions. They don't look like they are enjoying it at all, do they?