Thus End the Days of el Totonicapanse‏

December 9, 2013
Familia,
Perhaps for the first time in my mission I don´t have a clue where I am headed. I tried to trick it out of them but it didn't work. Who knows, but it will be where the Lord needs me.
I am sad to leave Toto because I have lots of friendships and good memories.
A while back when I was with Browning he was already asleep and I was almost to that point. I heard the doorbell of the floor below ring and ring and ring. It was the lady from downstairs who had forgotten her key and her family had fallen asleep. SO I woke up Browning and we went down and opened the door for her. That happened again on another occasion. Well, on Monday when we were without keys she let us climb up the atrium saying, "Don´t worry you guys helped me out when I didn´t have a key." My thought- we should always look to serve others and help them in need for we never know when we will need the same.
We went to San Cristobal for a multi zone conference. The President talked about the trials of life. Basically Christ faced trials just like us. I liked this thought that the most important gift, the atonement, came after a huge trial.
As we are trying to get the members to help more with missionary work we had a meeting with President Bautista and Stake President Tzic. It was neat.
We met a man who knew a lot about the Bible, and we talked with him about it. When I tried to give him the Book of Mormon, he kindly refused. This was sad.
We taught a couple the plan of salvation with a new visual aid art book the President made for the mission, we also had the Bishop with us.
We finished introducing the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine of Christ to a man and his family. We challenged them to baptism on the 28th and they said it was a little quick but something they want to do.
Well last week it was freezing cold with a bitter wind. This week I left the house in just a short sleeve shirt and was fine until the sun went down. It has been crazy weather.
I just never know what I will be asked to do at church this week I played the piano for the choir for Ward Conference and for sacrament meeting. The overall theme I took was taking peace to all the people.
I love you all and wish you the best in this Christmas season. Make a snowball or two for me. I don´t see that here. 
Love,
Elder Wright

Beginning of the Christmas Season

Rainbow over Toto

Starting Down the Home Stretch

December 2, 2013
Family,
When I ran the 400m in high school I usually started out strong. Maintained speed on the back stretch and started picking up with 200m left then at the start of the home stretch I opened up and left everything I had on the track. Literally everything because I usually found the nearest trash can right after and left it a surprise. I can´t believe it- 18 Months. But anyway the point is I am committed to work hard wherever the Lord would have me be. With just the home stretch left I plan on leaving it all here with no regrets and finish living the dream strong.
We had a very interesting experience in the street. A person that had been drinking came up to us and asked for a cookie. I told the man I don't have food but I do have the bread of life that will last forever. He said that won´t fill me up. We said our goodbyes. Later we felt like we should look for him. Elder Hendrickson suggested to check the park. We did and found him. We gave him a cookie and visited with him and another gentleman that was with him who had also been drinking. We found out this gentleman was an inactive member.
There is a family here that made Thanksgiving especially nice for us. They fixed chicken, mashed potatoes, and a salad with peas in it. It was super delicious and very thoughtful.
We went to the baptism the other Elders had. After we left we had to go get another sweater because it was colder than "the backside of a certain worker digging a well." But seriously it was about 40 with some freezing wind and mist that took it to about 25-30 with the wind chill.
I know that the Lord answers prayers. It was 7:30 and our plans were falling through, so I said a prayer and we started walking, I felt the slightest thought to go see a contact from 3 weeks ago. We got in and her two sisters and brother in law, along with their two kids were there it was awesome. We taught a lesson it was special.
On Sunday a lady we contacted that used to be an investigator of the other elders came to church just like she promised when she found us on Wednesday. That was awesome. I ended up teaching the Gospel Principle's class because the teacher was sick. Our investigator said she really liked it and learned a lot. She likes the way we talk and teach. I also taught priesthood. It was on loving God more than the World. The class participated a lot more than normal, which made it a really good lesson.
Love,
Elder Wright

Bishop Basquiyak

On Divisions with Elder Yataco from Peru

Feliz Dia de la Accion de Gracias‏

November 25, 2013 
Querida Familia,
In Guatemala Thanksgiving is called the Dia de la Accion de Gracias. I don't think it is as big a deal as in the States. They are more focused on saving money to have a big party for Christmas and New Years.
I am grateful I was born into a home where we were taught to trust in God.
In district meeting we put a goal to find 100 new people to talk to. Elder Pettingill talked about how important this is, it was pretty solid.
We had a lesson with an investigator and Bishop Baquiyax was present. We answered some questions and showed him that he could be like Enos. Our investigator is still considering his fecha for the 30th. The Bishop told him we should not wait for tomorrow with what we should do today. We tried an experiment where you light a match in a glass bottle and put a peeled boiled egg on top and it sucks it in. We explained that when we are outside of church we are vulnerable, but inside we are protected. 
We knelt to pray and she started praying in silence and we joined in silent prayer. The feeling in my heart was undeniable. It began small filling it up with a warm sensation. My answer was definite and indisputable. It wasn't some great earthquake or lights in the sky, but a simple powerful feeling in my heart telling me YES!! This is the true church. We finished the prayer and she said she felt tranquil.... We will see what happens.
President Tzic the Stake President spoke at Stake Conference about the three parables from Luke 15. The lost sheep, lost money, and prodigal son. The sheep wandered, the money was lost due to bad care, and the son left conscious of his decision. Likewise we must look for those less actives that have left for any of those three reasons. It was a good talk and we had two investigators there!! Sunday the 24 we had a Regional broadcast conference. There were 41 stakes and 6 missions in Guatemala that participated. Enrique R. Falabella talked about waking up and brushing off the dust. I liked it because he said when we are sleeping we dream and when we wake up we make our dreams realities. He reminded us we need to use our time wisely. Rosemary M . Wixon shared stories of good parents in the Book of Mormon. Richard G. Scott gave what seemed to be the same talk he gave to you guys, just in Spanish on treating the women in our lives with respect and honor.
Henry B. Eyring talked about how the small branches in New Jersey, New Mexico, and other places have grown a ton and the same can happen here in Guatemala.
We worked hard this week to reach our goal. The week was almost over and we needed to talk to 4 more people in order to reach the goal of talking to 100 new people. While walking I saw a lady crying in a dark corner of a door, her son was close by. I stopped, turned back, and followed the spirit. Do you need help? She said yes and told a story about how her husband that he was drinking, someone had died recently, and why she was sad. I shared from the Book of Mormon Alma 7:11-12. It was sweet. Then we found the other 3 contacts a little later. The Lord helped us even though it took the whole week. It is nice to know that perhaps we answered the first lady's prayers. I know this church is true and that the Lord hears our prayers. I am so thankful for you as my family and all the blessings I have. The biggest one being here serving the Lord. I love you all and wish you the best.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
Love Elder Wright

Thankful for Breakfast Sandwiches

Butterscotch Pie

New Convert's Birthday Cake Tradition is to Smash Face Into the Cake

Learn to Teach

November 18, 2013

Familia,

I am no longer with Elder Pantigoso just Elder Hendrickson. FYI Elder Quentin L Cook is coming to the mission in January. We are excited about that.

I also saw Elder Bloom. He is STILL in Olinte. He is going to train there. He will be there a total 11 months. He joked that I watched them plant the corn behind the house, I watched it grow, I watched them pick the corn, and I will watch them plant it again. He has a good attitude and it was good to see him.

We had an interesting contact experience. We knocked at a door and a teenage girl answered. I did my best to smile and make a positive impression. She said, "one second". Then closed the door went back and the door opened again. The mom came and talked to us. I put on the charm again trying to get in to visit. Again one second the door closed. This time it opened and it was the mom again, with the other daughter behind her. I don´t know if it was a fashion show of the gringos or what. We offered service, they said no thanks. So I jokingly said alright we will come some other day and wash the clothes they laughed and we walked off. The door closed. We walked down about 10 steps then the door opened again. Come in they said. We were really confused but went in and taught.

We had an awesome lesson from a member reference. The investigator found some stuff in the Bible she questioned. Later in the week we got a call from a member she had a family that wanted to hear more about the gospel. She set up an appointment for Thursday at 7 and invited us. That is how missionary work is supposed to work. Members invite their friends then invite us.

We took Jenga and taught the restoration to a mom and her ten year old daughter. This lady is looking for God, comfort, and spiritual guidance. I feel like we fit the description to help her with all three.

It was times for interviews with President. As usual it wasn´t what I expected but exactly what I needed. Later we had an Elders quorum activity that night and it was tasty with BBQ chicken. We left talked to a lady we felt we needed to. Caught a miracle bus and were happy to get home at 9.

This week we taught a member and her mother about Family History work. It was a very spiritual lesson and it taught me that I need to do better at this. Elder Hendrickson had a powerful story. It was super special.

This was such a great week finding new people. Getting references having a correlation and lots more things. Very awesome. Thank you for your prayers and faith. I love you tons.

Elder Wright

Thoughts On Living The Dream‏

November 11, 2013

Familia,
We had a positive lesson with a couple, in which He asked the golden question. . . "What is the right church?" I am excited to teach him.
We did divisions with Central. I went with Elder Gneiting from Idaho Falls (almost Rigby). He reminds me a lot of Uncle Todd with his jokes and the way he talks. He works hard. We had three lessons with a member. That was awesome. In the first we taught about baptism using 3 Ne 27:21,20. in that order. The member bore powerful testimony. In fact the member couldn´t stop talking. We hustled to another lesson with an investigator. He is not a member, his family are all members.

Our next visit with an investigator, she was amazing. We planned to talk about baptism. We planned a solid lesson. We explained showing the picture of Christ getting baptized that He set the perfect example and that we must follow it being baptized by someone holding authority, by immersion. Then asked the question "What can you do to better follow the example of Jesus Christ?" She said I need to get baptized by immersion. She said that lots of trials have come lately. I remembered a scripture I found recently in 1 Ne 15:23-24. I shared it explaining that trials will come but to get through it then we must hold on to the iron rod. How? Church, scriptures etc. She accepted to come to church.

We finished at a family. The father gathered all his children before he let us begin. They said the church wasn´t important and we all are looking for God. I used the example of how the father had gathered his children and in like manner, Father in Heaven wants to gather His children in only one church.

We worked with a recent convert here in Toto. She took us to three new houses. It helps so much to have members.

We did some crazy service for a lady's front yard of her abandoned house. It was crazy. We made it a little better.

Our Zone had a baptism. That was super neat.

Changes- Elder Navarro, Gneiting, and Pantigoso have changes. I was enjoying my time with Pantigoso.

Please continue praying for my investigators. Thank you for all of your love and support.

I love you all and desire the best for you. 

Love,

 Elder Wright