Saturday, December 31, 2011

¡¡¡¡Feliz año nuevo!!!

¡¡¡¡Feliz año nuevo!!!

Thankfully ñ is just another letter on the keyboard here, so it didn’t take me too long to find that. What IS kind of annoying though is that a little red squiggle appears under every word that I write because supposedly I’m spelling these words wrong. Just so you guys know, it was super awesome talking to you guys on Christmas. That 40 minutes went by sooo fast though! Honestly, I really can’t believe how fast the time flies here in the office. I’ve been here for 3 weeks now and it still seems like I just got here. It sounds like you guys are all just kinda chillin and being lazy: the boys doing their classic sit-around-and-do-nothing-but-play-video-games-and-eat marathons, Dad watching football and getting mad because he´s losing on his bowl game picks after spending hours of research, Mom enjoying not having to do all the stuff she always does, and Aubrey and Ava just playing with their friends and their new Christmas toys. The house is probably a mess too... See, look, I’ve been gone for a while but there are a few things I just don’t forget about. :)

Anyways, this week was pretty good. After I talked to you guys we got invited to this guy’s house who works in the U.S. embassy and had a super good Christmas dinner. It was totally weird.  They’re just like a regular American husband and wife, members of the Church and everything. It was pretty sweet but I was missing home a little. I won’t talk too much about the office, just because that’s going to get real boring really fast, but all I’ll say is that I feel like I’m getting the hang of everything and I’m excited to take the reins and go.

Funny story. We went to the post office this week to get all the packages and let’s just say that Santa came late. There were 25 packages and I got all excited thinking one would be mine... None of them were. Oh well haha. What else?...  I can’t say that I had any stand-out spiritual experiences this week but one thing I’m starting to feel is a greater love and appreciation for the work I’m called to. I read President Monson’s talk about the ABC’s and I loved where he talks about attitude. I’ve realized that a good attitude is what makes any situation a better one. I’ve also come to really love the couple hours that I have to get out and work. It makes me just want to talk to absolutely everyone I see and I feel a greater love for the people that I teach. 

Mom, to answer your question, I don’t know if I’d send anything else with Connor. Just send him with enough white shirts. Also...there’s a lot of things you don’t need to send...like hand sanitizer and all that good stuff...most of the things he can buy there. Don’t worry about it too much though.  Missionaries can survive with few things. I can’t tell you how many uses a sheet of notebook paper has.  :) haha. 

Anyways...I hope to have more good stuff to tell you guys next week. We’re going to President’s house for New Year’s Eve and it’s gonna be sweeeeeet! Love you guys a whole bunch and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Ward and Elder Galvan
Elder Rose ?, Elder Ward, and Elder Pace
Elder Ward

Saturday, December 24, 2011

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



P-day at Mombacho Volcano (Elder Call, Elder Ward, Elder Ward, and Elder Rojas)
Hooollaaaaa!

Hey, sorry that I didn’t get to write to you guys earlier in the day, it’s been a pretty crazy day. I’ll make this kinda short just because I’ll be able to talk to you all tomorrow, but I’m glad to hear that everyone’s week went well. Haha to be honest with you it does make me a little jealous that you guys had a huge volleyball tournament, and dad I honestly don’t know how quickly I’ll be able to get back into shape for that. I might just have to go get a couple of ingrown toenails removed, get a little more well nourished, get rid of some parasites, and learn how to jump again. The good thing is that I don’t have to worry too much about that right now. Well, I imagine that you guys are in the middle of reading Luke 2 with the family or something. If for whatever reason you guys get this e-mail right now with the family (maybe on dads fancy new iPad or something) tell everyone I said hi and FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Just a couple of quick things....this week was probably different than any other week that I’ve had in the mission. Monday was a SUPER busy day because we had to go and get everything ready for the Christmas conference that we were having on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m learning that, unfortunately, there will be some days where we don’t even get out to the field. Monday involved going to get the gifts from the mission for the missionaries, gifts that President wanted to give to his counselors and stake presidents of the mission, buying EVERYTHING for the activities and a whole bunch more things. We ended up getting to bed at about 1:00 am. Tuesday we woke up and went to McDonald´s early in the morning. I think we made the biggest order that they’ve had all year…95 Sausage McMuffin combo meals two days in a row.....that’s a lot of McDonalds. The conference was way awesome though. President and his wife were also celebrating their anniversary so all the zones brought gifts or had presentations for them. One zone even had a Mariachi band come which was pretty hilarious. Tuesday night we filled up 1,000 water balloons and got to bed pretty late again. All in all, it was a LOT of work but its was cool to be able to see all the missionaries having a ton of fun, especially knowing that we had done so much to get it organized. Ahhhh…I dunno…I still have mixed feelings about being here (in the office). I’m trying so hard to have a good attitude about it...it’s just a bummer because we’ve only gotten out to work in our area for like 2 days this week. I’m sure I will come to understand why the Lord has me here pretty soon.

I won’t say much more but today was a pretty awesome 24th. We went to this volcano called Mombacho and did this super crazy hike around the craters of the volcano. Also, I think the greatest Christmas gift that I could’ve received this year was being able to go to Edwin and Mercedes´ baptism just a couple of hours ago. It was pretty cool, Elder Leiva called me after they passed their baptismal interview and they said that they wanted me to come to their baptism and baptize them. I asked for special permission from President and he said that it was ok. They were so happy and it really got me thinking about the true meaning of Christmas....and that the meaning is in the name itself (more Christ). Let’s put aside the presents, the tree, the candy cane, all the goodies, the reindeer, the Christmas movies, the warm fireplace, the stockings, the songs....you name it....Christmas is all about our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. How great was the event of his birth almost 2012 years ago. It was such a great event that is the median of time...when we started counting the years, and there’s something special about that. One thing that Edwin said when I asked them if they were ready for Christmas is, “this year will be a lot better than the last because it will be one that is centered more on Christ.” Christ gives us a point to live, a reason to be truly happy, especially this time of year. I know that He is our Savior and that He lives. Remember that this Christmas. Edwin and Mercedes both gave powerful testimonies after. Well I’ll just leave it at that...because I’LL TALK TO YOU TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think what were gonna do is I’m going to have you guys call me at the office phone at around 5:00 pm my time, or 3pm your time (I think).  If for whatever reason you haven’t called by that time, I’ll just call you...and yes, it’s still 40 min. haha. I’m super excited to talk to you guys though and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Ward

Edwin and Mercedes Baptism on Dec 24th


The Office Crew


Saturday, December 17, 2011

New Assignment!!

Hey surprise! 

Haha, I know, really weird that I’m writing on Saturday right? Well, I'll give you a hint: I had changes this week and it’s honestly nothing that I expected. You might be as surprised as I was when I found out but I got assigned to be the mission financier (or financiero). Haha, I still don’t really know how I feel about it. That means that I’m serving in the mission office now. Want to know something else super crazy? My comp´s name is Elder Ward. Haha, he is from Centerville, Utah, he’s a gringo as I’m sure you can figure out, and he’s training me to be the financier right now. Basically, I’m going to be in charge of absolutely all of the finances of the mission, and have to manage all of our accounts. We also work a lot with President Monestel, the AP´s, and the two other secretaries to plan activities (the Christmas multi-zone activity is keeping us SUPER busy right now). Haha, basically its a pretty drastic change. I went from the hot dusty roads of Ciudad Sandino to an air conditioned office, McDonalds and Subway for lunch, a super big expensive house, hot showers, and doing pretty different work.

I think the Lord wants me to learn something really important here. To be honest with you, I did NOT want to have changes this time, especially because I was just really starting to love my area. Also, Edwin and Mercedes are getting baptized the 24th.  I’m also not a big fan of sitting in an office or in the car all day.  Our goal is to get to the field to proselyte at like 4pm every day, but we’ve been leaving at about 6 pm these first couple of days. In a way, I feel good about this new assignment just because you have to be a good missionary that President, and the Lord for that matter, trust to be able to be in the office.  President sat me down and told me that my success here wouldn’t exactly be measured by how well I have everything organized here in the office, but by how many families I baptized, so it’s going to be a super busy couple of changes. I guess what I continue to learn is that this is the Lord’s work and not mine. So if this is where He wants me to be, I’ll do it, and I’ll do it the best I can.

But still, I don’t know anything about accounting or anything like that! Haha, I’m feeling a little inadequate because it’s such a big responsibility, but I already feel that the Lord is helping me. The first day here I was so anxious to get out to the field to work and when we did I just prayed that the Lord would let us have success in the little time we had. We were walking up the street and this guy comes up and says, "Hey, this woman wants to know more about your church." Elder Ward and I were pretty surprised, but she invited us to her house in that very instant. Turns out that there are like 3 houses of people and about 8 of them came out to listen to us and they are all super stoked to go to church. Anyways, it was pretty awesome how the Lord just dropped them on our lap...and I know that He will help us even more to baptize since He understands that we’re busy doing other things.

So today (Saturday) is P-day for the office, just so you guys know for the future. The cool thing is that we can go anywhere we want for P-day. We went to the zoo today which was actually way awesome. The guys from the office are all super cool, and you learn a lot from them cuz they’re all really good missionaries. It was awesome at the zoo…we were looking at this huge jaguar when it came up and turned around and peed backwards in Elder Call’s face. Also, as we were leaving, a huge swarm of bees came and a bunch entered the car so we were all freaking out. Luckily none of us got stung. This morning we played volleyball for the first time in my mission and I SUCK! But it was way fun!

Anyways, I’m having a lot of fun here but it’s SO BUSY and the time flies. It’s been really cool to work so closely with President Monestel and to be able to be around his family and stuff. He really is an amazing man and he’s so devoted to the work of the Lord. Elder Ward is a really cool guy too. To differentiate between the two of us, I’m “The Good Elder Ward” and he’s “The Bad Elder Ward”. It’s kinda funny because President Monestel started that as a joke.

Anyways, I’ve written a bunch already and I could write more but that’s what’s been going on this week. I’m super excited to talk to you guys next week! The cool thing is that we have a phone here in the office that makes international calls, so I think that I’ll be calling you guys from that on Sunday. I’m sure that it’ll be in the afternoon sometime. I think I’ll probably be able to e-mail you guys again when I have a better idea. By the way, I’ll be able to read what ever you guys e-mail me back so please e-mail! I want to hear from you! I miss you guys a bunch and I hope that you’re thinking about Jesus this Christmas!

Love,
Elder Ward

Elder Leiva and Elder Ward


Monday, December 12, 2011

An Action Packed Week!

Elder Leiva, Elder Ward, and Elder Pace
December 12,2011

Hello Beloved Family!!!!

Just so you guys know, this might be the most action packed letter that you’ve gotten for a while, so hold on to your seats. I feel like I say this every week but I feel like this week is the week that I’ve learned the most in my whole mission.

On Tuesday, we did divisions with 2 returned missionaries from the ward who are super awesome. One of them was the AP in Guatemala and another was a ZL in Taylor McBride´s mission. Haha…even said he knows Taylor and they did divisions once or something. His name’s Alex Cruz if you wanted to mention that to Taylor. Anyways, we’ve been helping out the ward a lot so we decided to spend a whole day just looking for less active families (to give you an idea there are more than 1000 people on the records of our ward but usually about 150 attend church). It turned out being an awesome day and we found new people to teach that are part of part member families. Also, we had a super powerful lesson with Edwin and Mercedes who FINALLY ACCEPTED A BAPTISMAL DATE!!!!!!! for the 24th of this month. More about that in a second...

¿Quien causa tanta alregria?...la concepción de Maria!" That’s the phrase I heard about a million times on Wednesday. It’s a national holiday that’s a mix between the whore of all the earth and halloween. It’s called la Purisima. Everyone sets up like these shrine things with the virgin Maria in the middle (the mother of all of Nicaragua supposedly) and the whole world make huge lines to come and sing to her because the people from the house give you free stuff (candy, juice, sugar cane, you name it). I realized just how lost the world is and how grateful I am that we have the gospel. Elder Leiva and I, just to joke around started saying "Quien causa tanta alegría?...¡¡¡¡La Gran Apostasía!!!!

This Saturday we got a call from Edwin, who never calls us, saying that he needed to talk, but not in his house. He came to the church building with a preoccupied look and we sat down in the baptismal font room. He just started to break down crying...which isn’t something you see very often (a grown man that works construction start bawling). He went on to tell us that his mom has a bad illness that she’s dying from, that he doesn’t have enough money to pay for the exams, and to tell us about all the trials that he has passed through in his life. He said that he was just about to go accept an illegal job to pay for the medical tests of his mom and then go smoke and drink to forget about it, but he felt prompted to call us. It’s amazing how the Lord knows His children and sends His angels to help. Earlier that morning, I was doing sit ups when I felt prompted to text Edwin to encourage him not to smoke that day. Next, when I was studying the Book of Mormon later on...a random talk from the April Conference Edition Ensign kept popping into my head, so I read it. Its called ¨More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us".  Anyways, Edwin said that the text made him think to call us and I feel like what I studied is EXACTLY what he needed to hear. We had the most spiritual lesson I’ve ever had in my mission. He asked, "Why do I have to suffer so much if I’m just trying to do what’s right?"

We read this scripture together:
6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
The Spirit was so strong as we promised him that if he persisted and gave his trials to Christ that He would lift his burdens and that he would have an ETERNAL reward for all that he suffers now. We gave him a blessing in which the Lord made many promises to him. All in all, it was a super spiritual experience that I can’t even explain, and if there’s one thing I know, its that our Savior loves us and knows us and our Father in Heaven as well, and that whatever suffering we have in this life will be paid for in the next.
I love you guys so bunch and I can’t wait to talk to you soon! I think I’m going to have you guys call a members cell phone or something. I’ll give you the number next week but I think the 25th would be the best probably like at 2 or so...I’ll give you more details though. We haven’t found out yet if I have changes but I think one of us definitely will.  Keep being good and Ava keep a look out for my clothes! haha
Love,
Elder Ward

Elder Leiva, Elder Ward, and Elder Pace

Monday, December 5, 2011

Back in Action!!

Hey hey pajarillos!!!!!!!!

Elder Ward was back in action this week! Mom, don’t worry.  I took all of my antibiotics and kept my sores clean, everything healed up pretty good. Now I just got to get rid of my parasites and the allergies I still have all over my body... I think I’m going to do that today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel kind of lame that I can’t do anything for you guys on your birthdays. I’ve never even sent a package from here or anything but the mail is pretty lame here. But Ava, I love you so much and I can’t believe that you are so big now!!!! I want to see the picture that you drew of me in the jungle. I miss you so much and whenever I show people the pictures of my family they say, "How cute!!!!!!!! Look at her beautiful hair and eyes!" because nobody here has blue eyes or blonde hair. But I love you so much and I can’t wait to call you on Christmas!

So, this week...we had a meeting with all the Zone Leaders and President. It was a super good council and he told us that he only wants us to baptize FAMILIAS! which is pretty cool, because it’s so much more special when you baptize a family, but we have to work our butts off.

To be honest with you, this week has been difficult. That family that I told you about last week had a problem with the members they were living with and moved. The worst was that they would be baptized this week. Another guy named Lenin that we found this week was SUPER positive. He was so happy to hear the message of the Restoration and accepted a date to be baptized but we came back the next day and they said that the owner kicked him out of the house. I’ve learned a couple things from that. One, the most important is that they heard the gospel, and that we may not have the privilege of baptizing them, but we did what the Lord wanted us to. Second, sometimes passing through a trial has much more value for us personally, than having success in our efforts, and the Lord recognizes that much better than we do.

I found a lot of comfort in reading...Alma 8 I think it is, when Alma, a missionary who went from baptizing millions ran into a tough area where they spit on him and rejected his word. The same angel that appeared at the time of his conversion appeared to him and told him to go back...and that’s what the Lord did for me this week. On Saturday night, I let Satan get the best of me. I was just disanimated and tired, and felt like we weren’t having any success. Miraculously, Edwin and Mercedez, who weren’t really progressing, came to church. We went and visited them last night and they’re progressing a ton now. So keep them in your prayers please.

Well, I gotta go because Joey wrote me this week and I’m going to respond back by e mail, but just know that I love you guys a bunch!! Think of this: what are you guys going to give to Jesus Christ this month? I know that Christ is our Savior, and the Prince of Peace, so enjoy that peace this month. LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Ward

Mom, yes I bought baptismal pants and like 5 pairs of underwear... And Dad, that’s awesome that you saw my area [on Google Earth]. Our area is actually where the capilla [chapel] is in Zona 8. I’ll try to explain the rest next week. Haha.

Elder Ward and Elder Pace (a friend from AZ)

Elder Ward and Elder Pace serving in the same zone together.