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