Elder Monge and Elder Hilton in a Tuctuc
It sounds like things
are goin real good! They're making an Eph Hanks movie!? That's sweet! Dad
should definitely grow the puppy out, however, I am not sure how approving the
community would be! That is real good to hear everything, I am glad you have
the opportunity to go to Ed Week yet once again! Is Levi feeling better now!? I
hope so! Haha it makes me a little sad to hear that Embree and Laker are growing
up without me! I'm sure that they are as cute as ever!!! I love you all! Mom,
do you have a snapfish account? Or could you give me the password and stuff for
the blog? I can go to other sites, so I'd like to upload some pictures and add
some info! thanks mom for everything. I do receive the dear elders, I got two
my first week in the field. However, I am not quite sure how old they were, one
seemed like it was supposed to get to me the first week in the CCM or something!
Haha, yes I do receive dear elders.
Okay, time for some
more details of the sweet life in Nahualá. Last Monday, we had dinner at a
member's house (we have lunch and dinner at a member's house everyday), but we
had dinner at Hermano Walter's house. Usually the dinner is just like rice, black refried beans, and corn
tortillas. However, the past week, it hasn't been quite as repetitious, which
is extremely nice. While we were at Hermano Walter's house, I asked if they
knew of anything that could help me learn Quiche. He told me he was a teacher,
so we started some Quiche lessons that night. Haha this quiche business doesn't
make much sense to me, especially because Hermano Walter is not a Quiche
teacher. I don't think anybody is a Quiche teacher here. It's kinda ridiculous.
I have asked many people for help`with learning Quiche and it seems like they
all have their one vocabulary or way of saying things. I think that it is
easier to learn Quiche if you just grow up speaking it. They can't read Quiche
and understand it. It is seriously way different. Everybody speaks Quiche, when
they are not talking to the missionaries. It's kinda funny, the Quiche they
speak is not pure Quiche, so they don't have a lot of words and have to
substitute words in spanish. (Sorry, if this is a repeat of anything I've
already said. I feel like I have written this before, so enjoy :)) They make
all kinds of clicking noises with their mouth, that my mouth is not accustomed
to making. Everytime I practice Quiche, I feel like I'm just trying to hack up
a spit or something. Its a little gross. Tuesday, we had another lesson
Emiliano and he is so rad! It is so sweet to see the changes that he is making
in his life. I really hope that we can baptize him and then teach his family.
Right now, they seem pretty against the idea. When we visited him, it was
raining. It basically rained all day everyday from Tuesday to Saturday. Word on
the street has it that it is a hurricane. No worries, it's not windy at all and
my feet are basically always dry. However, my legs, not so much.
Wednesday, we had an
appointment with a little boy named Pascual. I can't remember if I wrote about
him in the last one, so here goes. He is ten years old and is very shy.
Whenever we visit him, we hear about one word from him. And it usually is the
answer to the question, how are you? His family is kind of a broken family, his
father was sealed in the temple with the mother of the 1st counselor in the ward-Cornelio.
However, Manuel-Pascual's and Cornelio's father- left Cornelio's mother and is
now living with the mother of Pascual. It is an extremely sad situation. I
think that Pascual's mother is not very excited that we are teaching Pascual
because she knows the past of Manuel. Sorry, I hope that is clear enough that
you understand. Manuel sells homemade ice cream for a living, it is not really
as sweet or as flavorful as ice cream in the States. (In fact there is not much
that tastes quite like the States!) I swear half of the people that live in Nahualá
have the name Manuel, Manuela, Pascual, or Pascuala. It is insane. Many also
share the same last names too. Some of the most popular are Guarchaj, Tzep, or
Tzoc. All are Mayan. It is pretty sweet, all the culture there is here. All the
women wear handmade shirts, with corte skirts. Corte is something way difficult
to describe. It is basically the native patterns of the Mayans. I have heard
that they used to be slaves to the Spaniards who came, so the Spaniards gave
them this corte so they could tell them apart more easily. I don't have any
pictures yet, but if you just google Guatemalan corte, you'll find it. Also,
many of the old men wear skirt looking things with sweet shirts. I am not sure
what they call them, but it really is cool how much culture they have here.
Many of the families here live on the same property. I can't believe how they
pack everything in and live how they do. They are all happy though. It seriously
a HUGE miracle.
Sunday, we ran into a
man who is married to a member and has a kid in the church. Elder Monge knew
him, but I had never seen him before. So we talked a little bit, and he was a
very strong talker. I am not sure if that makes sense. It does in spanish. He
has talked with the missionaries before, but doesn't feel the need to convert.
He is catholic and kinda just very strong in his beliefs. Hopefully we can help
him see why The Church is correct and what blessings, he'll receive if he lives
by the precepts that we teach. Man, I love this gospel preaching business. I
really hope to see a change in this man. (His ^ name is also Manuel, I'll keep
ya posted.)
I know that this work is ordained of the Lord and I know that everything
happens for a reason. I am extremely greatful for this opportunity to be with
Elder Monge in Nahualá. A lot of people look at it like a bad thing, however I
have had the opportunity to recognize the good things in life. There really is
so much good around us, oftentimes we get all caught up in what we are missing,
or our faults. Life is so good, we just have to seek out what is good. I love
you mom and dad. Love ya family. Love ya friends. All your support keeps me rolling
everyday. I love the Lord and hope you realize the joy and happiness that he
has given us through His Atonement. Continue living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and be blessed! I love you!
Love, Elder Hilton
p.s. mom, this week we
had lunch at a member's house and their daughter's name is Marilyn. It made me
think of you and the family a little and miss ya a little bit, but not too
much! Love ya!
p.s.s. this week's
picture is of a Tuk-Tuk. I am driving and Elder Monge is gettin people in!
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