Two years Four Days

June 9, 2014
Familia,
I contacted and then went to say goodbye to J. our recent convert. Then as we walked back it was 928pm and I knew it would be the last chance I had as I saw a family go in a white house so I contacted them. They didn´t want anything but I can say I worked up till the very last moment.
Changes were sad and fun at the same time. I felt like it was normal changes, I just didn´t get assigned a new comp or area. We went to the temple and it was special to be there and feel the peace of the spirit. I then accompanied Elder Luttmer as we visited some of his converts in a nearby area. Then at 6pm we went to a restaurant with President Bautista and the group. Then we had a testimony meeting.

Wednesday June 11th We woke up and made one last run to XelaPan. It is a bread store that we all really like. Then we went to the bus stop. One guy loaded our suitcases and got about four skidiwampus and said the rest are not going to fit. I looked at him and said in my mind. "I helped Dad pack the Magnum on church history tour we can get these in here" Then I thought it is like playing Tetris with circles and triangles. But after some arguing I got in and started working things around we got them to take some on the bus and all the suitcases got on the bus. We arrived in the capital at about 2:30 and then headed to the temple in the capital.

Thursday June 12th at 4:30 am Mom and Dad arrived at the hotel to pick me up. It was so wonderful to see Mom and Dad again. I saw them and Mom had a little sign. I hugged and kissed mom, then hugged Dad. The other elders went to the airport and I went on to the hotel with mom and dad to eat and then we headed to my mission area.

We stopped on the way at Panajachel. It is on the banks of the Lake Atitlan. The same one I went to the overlook for about two weeks ago. Then we headed to Olintepeque. We ate tacos in a shop and then began the visits. We visited four families. It was an awesome experience. The rains came inbetween, during, and after our visits. One family I was taking mom and dad to I saw a couple of the kids in the road and talked to them they told me they had moved houses. It was a miracle because if we hadn’t seen them I wouldn’t have been able to find them.

The next day we headed to Toto, we again visited 4 families there.

Saturday We shopped a little in the morning for recuerdos and then headed to Pueblo Viejo. Once there it was a blast to see everybody I knew. Mom and Dad expressed how they were surprised by how humble they all live and how remote it really was. I saw N. my first baptism. That was fun. Upon trying to leave Pueblo Viejo the first time we headed up a road to a point where there was a fallen tree from all the rain. We tried to go a different route but the 4 wheel drive wouldn´t engage and we weren’t able to get up the road. As we headed back to go even a third way I felt like we should visit some others I thought weren’t home. We were able to find them. Then we headed on our way. In San Bartolo we decided to gas up because we had less than 1/4 of a tank. We got up Tierra Blanca and there was a backup of cars. Turns out there was a big landslide. So we had to turn back and spend the night in Toto. As we pondered on the events we expressed gratitude that the Lord was watching over us. If I wouldn´t have felt to go back to visit the ones I thought were not home perhaps we could have been hit by the mudslide, we wouldn´t have had enough gas to get us all the way back to Xela because we would have thought we could make it to Huehue fairly easily. Plus why didn´t the 4 wheel drive work? It did today. It is a testimony that we were watched over.

Sunday June 15 HAPPY FATHER¨S DAY!!!!!

We woke up early and went the LONG way through Quiche. It was a beautiful drive with lots of cliffs and mountainous areas. We arrived in Tojocaz with 15 minutes to spare before sacrament meeting. I saw lots of friends and took pictures with them.

Afterwards we went to Brasilia for Priesthood. I had lunch planned with L. to celebrate Mom and Dad’s anniversary. L. did a fantastic job.

I love you so and am excited to see you.

Love,

Elder Wright

Thus ended the days of my missionary shoes

Bring on the Storm

June 2, 2014

Family,

It has been raining since 2:30 Sunday and they say it is a 72 hour storm.

We also watched another step in the Corte process, it is a HUGE process. 

Wednesday May 28 I better understood the quote "I once complained because I had no shoes then I saw a man with no feet" Only this time it had to do with cinderblocks. We passed by twice where some men were sending up one block at a time with a pulley system to the third level. I wondered if there was a better way. Later that night we saw a huge pile of blocks at the base of a Mount Everest sized hill. It was so steep. We recognized the lady would need help and we offered a hand. They weighed a ton. It was an hour and a half of hard work. But well worth it to help.

May 30, 2014 Celebrating THE BEST TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hard to believe. It felt like a birthday where you know something special is going on but you don´t physically feel different. But I know I have grown spiritually and in many other ways. Two years in the mission Two years of working with all my heart might mind and strength Two years of being away from my family so others can be with theirs for eternity.
We spent most of the day doing what Justin calls look ups. We ate Philly Cheese Steaks and apple pie with ice cream at a restaurant. It was surprisingly good, and who knew that Xecul had that stuff?

We went down in a bus to San Cris and went to a baptism. We sang a special number “Nearer My God to Thee”. 

We went to visit J. and S. We taught about why Christ instituted the sacrament. We need to remember Him. We read the sacrament prayer. We shared our love and concern for them. We explained that we invite them to read the Book of Mormon and to go to church not for us but for themThey both were at church the next day. 

After church we talked to them and J. said “Yes” to baptism. We put the date for the 7th. 

I realized with 2 years of retrospect that I believe the same, but the strength of the conviction has been fortified immensely. 

Thank you so much for your love and support. 

Love,

Elder Wright

One step in the Corte process

Apple Pie- "The Best Two Years" so far!

Week of Miracles

May 26, 2014

Queridisima Familia,

There are many who will say it was just a coincidence or luck but for those that are familiar with the workings of the Lord and know how to recognize His hand will know that it was simply His divine purposes coming to pass.
We bought a mirror for Q3. As we walked it fell out of its plastic cover and smashed to pieces. I gathered it up and noticed a lady pulling the starting cord on her Molino. I offered my help and it fired up. Her husband, Cristobal, from the tienda that was right in front of where the mirror broke, took the mirror pieces and said I have #3 but this is #2. I had no idea what he was talking about. He went to the back room then opened the garage to his window and mirror shop. Cristobal works with mirrors!!!! “What are the chances!??" We exclaimed. We bought a bigger one and got a return visit.

We left the house and waited for a bus. Finally one came and I had three pamphlets. I got on and first thing talked to the whole bus. I then passed out a Plan of Salvation and a Gospel of Christ pamphlet and was left with a Word of Wisdom one. I sat next to a 25 year old and her 8 year old daughter. They seemed interested in learning more about the pamphlets and the gringo that was giving them out. I began explaining it was a health code that the Lord reveled to a prophet. I told her we were missionaries and that we were going to a meeting in the church in San Cris. I got her number to go visit them later and her more or less address.

We got off and were about an hour into the meeting when someone came to the door. Elder Moncada went to see who it was then called me back. R. was standing there holding the pamphlet and a cell phone that looks like the one I carry. I hadn´t even noticed but it had fallen from my pocket. She came to return it. It is important to note that a lost cell phone is a quick Q20 when they sell it.

One afternoon four member and the other elders came to work with us. I went with E.C. it was fun and we found some fairly positive people. We made sweet pulled pork burritos for lunch. They were delicious.
Today we went to see Lago Atitlan from a lookout point. Some believe it is the Waters of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I am reading it once again. I am strengthening my testimony and hope you all know I know this is true.

Love,

Elder Wright

Lago Atitlan

You´ll never guess what happened

May 19, 2014

Familia,

This week all across Centro America was Family Week. Every night there was an activity that focused on families.
Monday night was a family home evening and all the members were encouraged to invite a family and have them in their home for the Family Home Evening. We had Family Home Evening with a less active member and and his family (No one else in his family are members). We sang, shared a scripture and played some games.
I went to Nahuala for the first time in my mission for the district meeting. It is really pretty up in the mountains and bigger than I thought. We got another less active to come to the family workshop that night in the church. The message was good about taking time for the family. Helping us to make evaluate if our time is spent or is it invested. When time is invested both the parents and the children are blessed.

This area has been a challenge, yet we are hard at wrok. We had a bright spot we met A. She listened to us at the door. She was excited about learning more about the plan of salvation.
Friday May 16 I got a phone call from Elder Bloom he told me my companion had changes, they told us at 8:00 am and at 1130 we had to be in the office. My new companion is Elder Rodgerson.

 Keeping with the week of family we went to the activity that night with R. and her daughter. it was good and the chicken was delicious. In other events I offered to help an older lady carrying a wheelbarrow full of weeds. I got behind it lifted up and ripped off the handle. It was funny and the lady thought so as well which was better. Turns out it was the same older lady that 5 days previous slammed the door in my face. 

That night there was a fireside broadcast from the capital with the area presidency. It was in Toto and A. and her three daughters V.,  A., and S. all came. They were people we contacted one time so that was special. It was so good to see all my previous friends and members in Toto. I was recognized by many and felt very loved. Mama C. said I looked really skinny. She is a good woman and helped me to realize she really cares about me. 

Thank you for your prayers and love and support. For those that may be struggling with a problem remember that all answers can be found in the Book of Mormon. Read it, ponder it and pray about it. I promise as a representative of Jesus Christ you will be blessed with the personal revelation of how to overcome your particular problem.

Love,

Elder Wright

Elder  Rodgerson

Lots of Contacting

May 12, 2014

The Lord blesses us for being a little persistent. Monday night someone whistled. I returned to the door at the small tienda. We began talking and they interrogated me where I am from and all that fun stuff. They tried lying about who whistled. We set up a return visit to play Jenga on Thursday.

We taught our 18 year old investigator that wants to be baptized about the word of wisdom. 

We were at it again contacting people the whole day. We were able to teach a man about the restoration he doesn’t believe there are prophets on the earth today. We bore testimony of the fact there is. At one last house we found a lady who let us sit on her porch and listened to our message. 

Later in the week we played Jenga with the Family from Monday that we met. They have many kids. As we were teaching one of their little girl understood and began teaching her little cousins it was neat. Then they brought out food and more food and more food.

We taught about the Book of Mormon to J. at least reinforced it. She is reading it and hopefully she can gain a testimony this way.

It was great to see you and talk to you on Mother’s Day. The party here was in the Central Park and all of the mothers were there. The mayor gave gifts. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. Thank you Mother Dear and the other mother´s that have made a difference in my life.

We went with the mission leader and did visits to two contacts. 

Sunday someone asked me, “How come I am so happy?” I guess I just love being a missionary!!! I love all aspects of it. New people, gospel study, being close to God and the spirit. I love it. I live the gospel and there is a quote from President Hinckley that says, “Want to be happy.....live the gospel of Christ." 

I love you so!!! Thank you for your love and support. I will be living the dream for the time that is left to me. 

Elder Wright

Elder Wright