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.