Dec. 20

Hey Everyone!!

So biggest news.... You are all going to get presents for Christmas
from me!!! Why? Because Flory and Niky Giron are going to be in Utah
on Wednesday and will be there for three weeks!! So if you haven't
sent letters and such I'm sure they would bring them to me... I told
them to go to my house to visit. Mom they only speak Spanish so you
might have to help out...

I will be calling on the 25th at 11:00 AM. I will call the house
phone. Any of you that are their I can talk to!!

So this week has been good. I had the mission Christmas Conference
this week. It was cool seeing all the 200+ missionaries in the same
place!! I had a good time!! We all even got presents. It was good
seeing all the Hermanas, but I am the only one that came in when I did
and I am still with my first companion so I didn't have anyone to
really catch up with so that was kind of weird. Hahaha. I did meet
one Elder from the DR. His name is Elder Castillo. I realized how
different Dominicans speak than Guatemalans. It was neat.

This week my very first Zone Leader finished his mission. I said
goodbye and everything. It is wierd not having him around. He was a
good missionary.

I learned something interesting about Daniel's middle name... Jesse is
another name for Christ. Look in 2 Nephi 21. I was very interested.
:)

I also had a baptism for Yessenia this weekend. She was supposed to
get baptised on Tuesday but we got back from the conference late. We
also forgot to tell her about the Conference and when we stopped by
the next day she thought we didn't show up because she couldn't get
baptised. She was super worried but it made her more ready to be
baptised on Saturday. the Lord works in mysterious ways. :)

The little boy is Luis Carlos. He is the CUTEST little boy ever!!! I
just love him and we play a lot. sidenote-- Did you know poinsetias
are bush like plants. Well they are and they grow everywhere here.
Hahaha.

I gotta go.

Love you all!!

Hna. Pelaez

Dec. 6

Hello from Guate.

So life as a missionary is going great!! I am learning and growing so
much. This week I had a conference with only the new missionaries.
So I left my companion with two other Hnas. on Wednesday and headed to
the mission home with two hermanas that are newer than me. It was a
great conference with the President. We learned more about the rules
and being obedient. Then we took some time discussing prayer, the
Book of Mormon, and the mission emphasis. It was way spiritual. It
was also all in English! I am so blessed to be able to understand as
much Spanish as I do. I am working hard to improve though. The thing
with a Nuevos Conference is that the next day the trainers have a
conference. Not cool!! haha. OnThursday I was left in charge of the
other two sisters. Since I know my area better than they know theirs,
we worked in my area. SCARY!!!! I was so nervous! I was always
double checking on them that they weren't walking in the street (if
they were behind me). I had to remember all the bus stops and when to
get off!! I am definitely NOT ready to train. With just one day I was
worried out of my mind. Hahaha.

Anyway. The bishop's wife told me this week that I make amazing
juice. And this was hand squeezed juice. Yes!!!! Hahaha. I am still
talented at juice making. :) I was able to play a little basketball
this week. I found out that I am amazing here. Hahaha. Mostly
because I'm taller. But it was fun!1

We have been finding and teaching a bunch of people. Keep the people
here in your prayers. People are mostly afraid to change.

This week was Hna. Ruiz's birthday. :D We celebrated at three
different houses. It was great. The picture with the Elders (our
zone leaders Elder Maurer and Elder Samayoa inour area) and Fabian
(mission leader) is at one house. The other two are at the house of a
member. The girl with me and Hna Ruiz is Chinita (her nickname).
Daniel you should totally date her. Hahaha. She is super cute!! I
taught her "I am a chubby bunny" the way Rich does it to us! Hahaha.
Funny!!

Well gotta go.

Love,

Hna. Pelaez

November 29, 2010

Hey family!!

How is everything going?? I hope it is all great!! This week has
been good. I went out to a part of my area that we only go to in the
mornings and with members. It was really cool andfun!! I saw a corn
stalk disappear in the ground as an animal ate it... Probably a
gopher or something. It was crazy. Haha. The bad thing is I didn't
have my camera with me to take pics. I will have to go back out to
Oricabel one of these days.

I found out that my companion and I walk super fast. :) I have
learned the missionary walk. Hahaha. I may be learning but I am also
forgetting things. There aren't pianos in my chapel so we all sing
accapella. I am now forgettting all the tunes for the hymns. Hahaha.
Ok, so not all of them but a large majority of them. It is so weird.
And I'm forgetting the English words.... I am definitely emerged in
the language. :)

I had a baptism his week. Clara is her name and she is super cute and
super shy. But I know that with her strong testimony and the help of
her husband she will be an important member of the Church.

Well I gotta go.

Love you all!!

Hna. Pelaez

Nov. 22,2010

Hey all!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! I'm pretty sure I won't be celebrating this
day here so eat lots of Turkey for me. Hahaha.


Well things here are great!! It is warming up, which is weird because
everyone is getting ready for Christmas and it is like Christmas in
July. :) There are even Christmas trees and lights. Hahaha. I
cna't help but think of the people that leave their lights up year
round at home. Good times. :)

So the Bishop's wife, Flori, and his daughter, Niky, might be heading
out to Utah for Christmas. That means I might be able to send some
things home for you all.... I will have to think about what would
represent things here. Neither of the two know English but they would
like to visit the family... I told them that it would be ok if they
stayed at the house... would it be ok?? Hahaha.

Everything is great. I am learning patience and how to show my love
to the people. It is great.

They only have a Primary program once a year. I am sending a pic of
the Las Flores Ward Primary!!!! SO CUTE!!! It was so great hearing
all the testimonies and songs of the kids. I still love the kids more
than an other age. :)

Love you all!!

Hna. Pelaez

Nov. 15, 2010

Hello there!!!!

Well I am staying in my area for one more transfer at least. :) I am
feeling very confortable here. So I am content. hahaha.

I have learned what it is like to look at someone and feel an instant
love for them. :) It is an amazing feeling!! I am excitedto
experience it again. I am also seeing more evidence of the Lord's
love for us and His work. When we are working hard and doing all that
we should be He blesses us. With finding those that are willing to
listen to our message. And then from that group of people, He helps
us prepare the elect for baptism. I am so glad to be part of His
work.

I had a baptism this weekend and I was also able to help the RS with
an activity they had...

Love you all... I have to run.

Hna. Pelaez

P.s. I'll send pics next week. Haha. someone remind me....

Nov. 8, 2010

Hey There!!

This week has been great!! This coming Wednesday is transfers. I
don't think I will be leaving this area but you never know. So you
know how people kept telling me that I look 15 or 6 yrs old? Well it
happened again. On Tuesday an lady asked me how old I am and when I
told her 21 she said that she thought I was 16. Hahaha. even when I
am a foot taller than everyone I look younger.

Anyways. We had a conference for only Sisters this week. It was
fun!! We had some spiritual activities but it was mostly just for
unwinding and having fun!! I was able to play sand volleyball and
wear pants for most of the day. ;) It was great. I got to meet all
the Hermanas. There are 34 in total. :) Only 7 of us are North
American. The Gringas and Latinas don't usually mix I noticed... It
was either Gringas or Latinas. I was worried that I wouldn't be able
to spend time with both groups. But it worked out great and I got
along with everyone. I am so glad that I understand the Latin
culture. Thanks mom and dad!! The Latinas just have a completely
different humor than Grnigas. It was interesting to see the contrast.

I had a baptism on Saturday. Hno. Modesto is his name. :) He is
such a sweet old man. His wife has beena member for 2 yrs now. When
I first met hime he didn't want anything but the Lord changed him. :)
The miracles of God.

So I was thinking... all I want for Christmas is letters with pictures
in them. :) I would love that...

Well I'm out of time...

Loveyou all!!

Hna Pelaez

A Couple of Pictures

Nov. 1, 2010

Hey Everyone!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! I don't have a lot of time.... so just a short letter today.

I was reading in Matthew this week and I found a scripture that
totally describes one of Dad's many sayings. It is in Matt. 15:14
Haha. I love it!!!

So I learned how to make bolovanes this week. The thing is that they
are pretty much pastilitos that we make at home. They would just
baked and not fried. they were delicious. :)

When we do our laundry we line dry our clothes... It is fun to see
our clothes on the roof of the Bishop's house! I'll send you a picture
next week.

I hope that everyone had the chance to read the October Ensign. It
was on Temples. I realized how extremely lucky we are to have temples
only ten minutes away!!! Seriously!! every week. Please don't take it for granite. Go to the temple every
week. Do baptisms and all the other ordinaces!! it is a blessing
that we must enjoy because here it is a day drive to go to the temple
for a few hours.

Did you know that corn can grow very nicely in weeds and garbage?
Hahaha. I thought it was funny when i realized that Daddy was always
wanting us to weed the garden but here... no one really cares. They
plant corn in the garbage. Literally!!!

I love you all!!!

Remember the blessings you get every day. And work to strengthen your
faith and knowledge of the truth!!

Love,

Hna. Pelaez

Oct. 25, 2010

Hey there Everyone!!

How is life going? :) Everything here is going wonderful... I have a
surprise.... Hahaha. I had my first baptism this weekend!!!!!! :D
Most of the credit goes to my companion because my Spanish isn't very
impressive when I'm around people that don't know English. Haha. But
it was still exciting and I was able to witness the change in
Michael's life. He is 14 yrs. old and SO EXCITED about the church!!!
He has been saying that he wants to serve a mission and he kept asking
the Elders questions about the priesthood and stuff like that!! Here
is a picture of my companion and I with him. What a great time!!!

Something else that I love about here is the rain!! It rains in the
afternoon almost everyday. Sometimes there is so much rain that there
are rivers in the street. In the other picture you can see that I am
standing on the stairs to my house and the river that is from the
rain! That day we were in a conference with the president and 2 other
zones. I forgot to take my umbrella. Hahaha. FUN!!! The conference
was great too!!! I felt the Spirit tons and now I understand what it
means to learn from the Spirit and not the speaker. I can testify
that if you go into EVERY meeting with an open heart and mind, you
will receive personal revelation. But I also learned that you should
open you heart and mind through prayer. Try it!!! It is amazing!

I also learning that if you fast without paying fast offerings it is
worthless. Just to help your fasts go better. :) I love learning
new things. haha.

So last week I told you about the piano situation here. Well
something else that I find interesting is that there are no hymn books
in the chapel. Almost all the members own their own hymn books and
care for them like their scriptures. It is amazing!!! And I realized
how much people take for granite the hymns. They are a prayer to God.
I love it. At the baptism I was able to sing along without using my
hymn book. :) progress marker for my Spanish!!! Exciting!!!

I also realized that almost EVERYONE here has a belief in God. The
only thing we need to do is show them where they need to worship him!!
I love it here!!!

Well I need to send this....

LOVE you ALL!!

Hna. Pelaez

P.S. I found out that the Bishop has a business with developing lots
for houses.... Dad you should meet him!!!!

Melody and her Companion

Oct. 11, 2010

ok... so I have almost no time so edit this in your mind as I go. So
I am in an area called Las Flores in Mazatenango. it is very humid
and jungly here. I eat almost every meal in the Bishop's house. If
not I would hvae to hire a cook. but for now it isn't necesary. I
don't have a miad so Monday mornings are spent cleaning the house.
Next week I'll attash photos. I am lucky because the Bishop owns a
washing machine for our clothes. But the thing is that it doesn't
fill up fast enough so we hand fill the machine and have to wait the
15ish mintues to refill for the rinse part. and then we hang all our
clothes out on the line to dry. this week has been good because we
have had 6 straight days of sun!!

I have seen a lot of srazy things here. Like a couple of red-headed
latinas. Like legitly not dyed. also all the sewing machines that I
have seen here are the seriously old-school kind. that you have to
foot pedal. I think it is fasinating. Also most of the babies wear
cslothe diapers!! People her are super nise and live very humbly.
and people either look super old or super young for their age. not
very many in the middle.

Oh I lost one of my umbrellas on the "micro bus" just vans
that run like a trolley.

I am goin to send this now. I hope I have more time next week,,,}


Love Hna Pelaez

First Week in Retalhuleu

Well here I am in Retalhuleu Mission. How crazy it is here!!!! First
off- I don't think I will be completely dry for the next 16 months.
Haha. it is so humid here that even the paper i have feels damp.
Plus if it isn't raining then I'm sweating. :) Second- It is a good
thing I have short sisters because I am taller than everyone but most
of the North American Elders!! It is so weird and nearly everyone
comments about it.

So I have completed almost a week here. And just like my first week
in the CCM and MTC it feels like a life time!! It is so weird.
Anyways. I liev on the property of the Bishop in a little house with
one room for beds and one for the kitchen area and a bathroom the size
of the Little Bathroom from home. Maybe a tiny bit bigger. The
people here are all very friendly!! I am able to understand basically
everything!!! The hard part is talking. This is the first time in my
life that I want to say something and can't. I am looking forward to
the day that I will be able to express myself. My companion is Hna.
Ruiz. She has been out for 5 months. She is super patient and really
cute. She works hard and really knows how to help the people. I have
met a bunch of the members and they all love her. I have also met our
investigators. Hno. Enrique, Hno. Juan and Hno. Erick are our main
priorities right now. Oh and a teenager named Hno. Hamington. I am
really loving it here. :) The language is hard but I feel very
comfortable here.

Oh tell me about Conference!!! I was able to watch 3 of the 4
sessions but it was all in Spanish because I'm, the only North
American Sister in my zone. I only got the gist of each talk.

Love you all

Hna. Pelaez

Sept. 22

Hey Family!!

How are things going for you all?? I am doing fabulous!! The Lord is
truly guiding this work and qualifying the un-qualified!! I couldn{t
be more happy than I am being here!! I love it here so much and I'm
anxious to get out into the field!! I don't know whenI will be able
to write again just so you know! This is my last week in the CCM and
I leave on Tuesday morning for Reu. My address is a little
different...

Blvd. Centenario salida a Coatepeque Zona 2 Apartado postal 26
Retalhuleu, Guatemala C.A. código 11001

ok. So I got to go prosilyting (totally misspelled) again and I
learned so much!! This time around I was turned away A LOT but I was
also able to learn the best way to connect with someone in such a
short time. Learning by trial and error is effective. Hahaha. I am
excited to be the Jr. Companion and learn from someone that has some
experience!! I don't know what to expect but I am excited!! On the
way back from the Parque it started to rain! I was soaked through in
2 minutes!!!!!! I LOVED it!! Hahahaa. I love the rain. It wa so
fun!!

I found this scripture the other day and I love it! 1 Corinthians
11:14-15. Read it and you will know why I love it. Hahaha.

So I just wanted to say that I am so grateful that I learned how to
eat EVERYTHING that is served to me!! There are a lot of Latinos that
do not like the food here and waste it! :( I clean up my plate
everytime no matter what!! Thanks Mom and Dad!

There is an Elder from the DR here. I think even from Barahona... His
name is Elder Feliz. Any way we would have a connection??

I was wondering how my little volleyball girls are doing?? Did they
make the team and are they doing good?? Let me know!!

I am loving life right now and I love this work. I am looking forward
to the hard and good times!!

Love you all!!

Hna. Pelaez

Sept. 14, 2010

Hey from Guatemala!!

This is my second Tuesday in a row with a P day on Tuesday (weird)
haha, next week will be on Wednesday!!

Well I am loving it here!! I have my every first Latina Comp- Hna.
Torres!! She is SUPER cute and SUPER petite!!! Seriuosly she is
smaller than Sariah by a few inches and probably 50 lbs. I feel very
protective of her.. I love you tons already!! She knows only a few
words in English and so the only way to communicate is in Spanish.
For this reason and the fact that I am now in an all spanish district
my Spanish has soared!!!! I am truly being blessed by the Lord!!
There is no way I could learn so much spanish in only a month! I
can't believe it!! I know that for a fact because I have had classes
and parents that speak spanish and I didn't learn anything. Hahaha.
Somthing fun is that I was mistaken for a latina by one of the new N.
American Elders on Friday! I nearly gave him a heart attack when I
answered his spanish question in English!! hahahahaha.

The othere day I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a window or
mirror and guess what... I hardly recongize myself!! I can feel that
I have changed a ton inside. I can't tell how or what the changes are
thought. but I feel like I should be changing outside too!!

One of the new rules I learned here is that I can't wear contacts!!
I mean it is my choice to obey. but I want to be obedient and I heard
a ton of horror stories of Elders going blind because of their
contacts.. so I'm not wearing them anymore!!

Well I gotta go!!

Loveyou all

I LOVE THE LORD, THIS CHURHC AND MY COMP!!

Hna. Pelaez

Sending letters to Guatemala

Hi All,

I have posted Melody's mission address now. She says to let you all know that if you are going to send a package you should put a picture of Jesus or the Virgin Mary because then it will get to her safely. Also, there is a pouch available, but she says it is REALLY slow and it is better to send letters to the mission home.

Thanks for all your support!

September 7

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this. It has been a busy week.

Hey Familia!!

How are you all??? I have been doing great!! I would love to get
more letters... ;) Hahahaha. But you need to start sending them to
my mission home now.

Ok so today is my P-day because all of the latinos and Old N. American
left for their missions today and my group was able to go on a field
trip!! We went to a relief map that showed us all the different
elevations of Guatemala shrunken in scale!! It was really cool!

Next we went to a Marcado Central! It was totally like what you see
in the movies! And I was able to get this cute scarf, and Guatemalan
Flag and guess what.... A present for Grandma. It might not be too
hard for her to guess what it is! Haha. I will slowly get stuff for
everyone. Or I might just wait til my last transfer so that I don´t
have to pack everything around with me. I LOVE alll the bright colors
that are in the fabrics and clothes here. :) And I found out whenI
got here that in July they changed to dress code for sister
missionaries. I can wear BRIGHT colors and a bit shorter skirts!! I
am glad about that because some of the shirts I brought weren't
totally conservative... Hahaha.

After this we went to Miraflores. This is a museum and mall in one.
It was really cool!! It is probably the ONLY time I will be able to go
to a mall while one my mission. But this mall was AMAZING. It is so
much better than any other mall I've been to! I totally felt like I
was back in the USA. I decided that we need to have a girls road trip
(plus any guys that want to come) and go shopping here!!! There are
TONS of stores that I know my sisters will LOVE! I had to go with my
comp to help her find a new skirt. one of hers got ruined in the
wash.

It was super fun!! I will send the pictures home as soon as I can
(Mom- I am waiting for my other memory crad back!)

So I will be getting a new comp this week... She will be Latina and I
will be in an all-latin district. My whole district will be with
latin comps. this is the first time a whole district gets latin
comps. We are a record setting group!!

Well I think that is all the big news from Guatemala!!! I love it
here!! I feel like I truly belong here!!

Love you all!

Hna. Pelaez

Sept. 1

Hey Familia!!!

This week has been great!! The biggest thing that has happened was
that on Monday I had the chance to go to the center of Guatemala and
go proselyting with real people!! I had a latina companion for the
day and we contacted so many people!! We were given 2 BoM 8 reference
cards and 18 pamphlets. We ended with only 2 pamphlets left!! I was
so excited to be out there!! And Surprise I was totally not scared to
talk to anyone!!! I understood what evderyone was saying and I just
loved hearing my companion testify! I was able to speak about 40% of
the time! I would have spoken more but it is SO hard to think of what
to say in Spanish!!!! I learned a ton and I am looking forward to the
next time!

Then later that same night I had the chance to talk with Patty. She
is a friend on my teacher's wife. She is have a hard time with life
and agreed to come in and let my district talk o her and such!! We
tried to involve her so that it was more of a conversation but she was
feeling sad and mostly just listened!! It was so powerful. Each of
us had sort of prepared something for her and it was about all kinds
of different parts of the gospel. But when we all actually started to
talk with her it all became focused around God's love for her and
having Hope!!1 The Spirit was truly guiding the whole thing!! It was
a mazing!!!

We also had the opportunity to have Elder Clark from the Seventy come
and talk to us last night! He is Wonderful!! He spoke to us about
what it should mean to be a missionary for the lord and how to have a
great mission! My favorite quote was -Don't just pass through the
mission, let the mission pass throuhg me! In other words I need to
let my mission take over my heart and truly and deeply change me for
the better!!! I am really looking forward to being a better (much
better) person in 17 months!

Yeah how crazyis it that I only have 17 more months!!! I can't
believe that time has flown and at the same time that it feels like I
have been in the CCM for EVER!!

Well I gotta go! Love you all!!!!

Hna. Pelaez

Hey!!!!

So I don't know how much time I have to write so don't mind my spelling mistakes, etc. My password wouldn't work so I had to change it probably 5 times and wait 30 plus minutes for it to work.

So my first week in Guatemala has been great!!! It is so beautiful here. It is the rainy season here so it seriously rains everyday here!! I think that there has been to half days of sun shine!! I love it!! The temple is just a block a way and I see it when I go down to breakfast every morning. It is super small here. there are only about 100 ish missionaries here and there is only one building. It is quite the difference from the 2200 missionaries in Provo and 19 buildings!

I absolutely love the food here!! It is a lot like Dominican food and has A TON more flavor than the Provo MTC. They told me that a lot of missionaries have to adjust to the food but I'm totally loving it!

It is super humid here and my hair actually is loving it. Hahaha. I love all the weather and rain and sun!! I have actually had to use my cardigan a lot because the Elders in my district are always hot so they set the AC to 68. Not my favorite. There are 8 Elders in my district now. And now I am back into a trio. Hna McKnight moved down to a beginning class and Hna Jerez is now with me and Hna. Olsen. It has been good. I'm learning a lot. So in total there are 11 missionaries in my district. I still think my first district is hte best but it has only been one week. I have learned tons of Spanish here. The other day I had an interview and I was able to say everything I wanted to in spanish!! I am super happy about that! It isn't as spiritual here because I think everyone focuses more on spanish here. Don't get me wrong I feel the spirit every day but there aren't has many big moments. Next week Elder Clark from the 70 is coming to talk to us! I am really excited for that. All of our other Devotionals are videos of old devotionals at the Provo MTC. They are amazing but nothing compairs to the actually presence of the speaker! Something that I like better here is that I get to interact with the CCM President, Pres. Steimle, a lot more!! On Sunday we, the north american sisters, get to spend time with Hna. Steimle and get to know her.

I am really looking forward to the time when I cna get my point acrossed bettter in spanish. Right now there are 6 Hnas to a room and my 4 roommates, not including my comp Hna Olsen, are all Latina. Some of them know English and all of them help me with Spanish.

On Sunday I had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament meeting!! All in Spanish. I did read what I wrote but then just bore my testimony with what I know. I didn't have that part written. The hispanics were impressed with that part nad how well I s[oke when I have the spirtr!

Gotta Go!!!\

Love you All!!!\

Hna. Pelaez

Note: This is Mom. Just in case you don't know (like I didn't) if you send something to the pouch it can only be one page. It can not be in an envelope. You fold the page in 3rds and write the address on the outside in the middle section. So, you can write your letter on the other 2/3-top and bottome. Clear as mud? If you don't understand call me and I'll try to explain better.

Guatemala

Hey!!!

I am in Guatemala!! I got in super late last night. I was supposed to land at 8:05 but I landed at about 9:50 and then didn't get to the CCM until almost 11. I am so super tired!! It is weird being the minority... In a way. There are about 109 new missionaries and only 30 of them are latin. I am part of history. Haha. This is the largest group of North Americans to be here. It is way cool. Being here has definitely humbled me. I am not nearly as good as I thought I was at Spanish.... A few times today I felt like crying. But I just need to remind myself to calm down. Anyways.. When I first got here it was raining really hard. I LOVED it!! I am looking forward to the times when I get caught out in the rain. :) It is really humid here. I feel like it is muggy all the time! My address for the Guatemala MTC is this-

Melody Last Name (don't put Hermana)
Boulevard Vista Hermosa 23-71, Zona 15
Vista Hermosa 1
Guatemala, Guatemala, C.A. 01015

I am still companions with Hna. Olsen but Hna. McKnight has a new companion. I was really looking forwad to a new companion but I obviously still need to learn something from Hna. Olsen. I haven't gotten to know really anyone from my district but I should soon. I'm in the intermediate class.... We'll see how that goes... I might send letters by pouch but I'm not sure yet. I alwasy write more than one page. Mom--will you keep an eye on my bank account daily?? I'm scared of not having money. Melissa-- Dax was in my first district but then I got moved. I will still see him tons though...

LOVE you all!!!!! Hna. Melody

Arrival in Guatemala

Well, I was able to talk to Melody on the phone for a few minutes this morning. (This is Mom) She called from the airport in Salt Lake City. She said that she thought she would be able to call when she got there--which was supposed to be at 8:05 PM. (The time in Guatemala is the same as Utah) But, it is now 10:00 PM and she has not called yet. So, I am assuming we will have to wait for an email. I kinda wish she hadn't told me she would call, because now I have been waiting all night and feel very disappointed. I know we will hear from her soon, though. I have put the address for the pouch where you can send letters. Melody did not know the Guatemalan MTC address yet, so I will post it as soon as she tells me.

August 12

Hey everyone!!

I can't believe that I have been here for two weeks!! I swear it has been so much longer than that! Sometimes I feel like its been less than that but it is crazy! I forgot my notes again so I hope I can remember everything!

I LOVE my district!! When I first got here I had a test to see if I needed to move up to the intermediate Spanish class. I found out on either Friday or Saturday that I am not going to be moving up. It is both good and bad, but mostly good!!!! I would love to be a little more challenged with the language but I love helps my companions and my Elders with the language!! For one of the class periods this last week my teacher had ME teach one of the past tenses. It was so crazy! I was a bit nervous but it ended up going great! And it definitely hoped me with my ability to use the past tense! I don't think I will havwe to worry about my challenges in the language next week. Haha.

I got my flight plans on Friday!!!! I will be leaving on Tuesday the 17th. I have to be at the travel office at 4 AM!!! Crazy!! I will be so tired! One thing I learned really fast is that I will never feel like I'm rested enough. Hahaha. I am sleeping like a rock but I would love to sleep longer. Haha. Anyways back to my flights. From SLC I go into Chicago. Then from there I go to Miami, Florida. And finally I go to Guatemala!! Crazy!! I don't understand the flying thing at all. Haha. I'm going East to go South. Crazy airlines. :) I won't be traveling with my companions from the MTC. They will be leaving after me. I am excited for the flight experience!!

Ok for Relief Society this week, the General Primary President came to talk to us. She is amazing!!! I loved her talk. I don't remember any more than that I loved it. She told us about the new primary song "I Know My Savior Loves Me". It is so cute!! I can't wait to help all the little Guatemalan Primary children!!!!

Also I have heard from a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy! I don't remember his name but he showed us missionaries some amazing things about the Book of Mormon!! Did you know that all the gospel principles are mentioned in the first three PAGES of the Book of Mormon??!! I didn't but I loved learning about it!!

I was able to go to the temple earlier!! I love it there!!

Well I'm running out of time so I'll say bye!! Write me some letters!!

Love,

Hermana Pelaez

First Week in the MTC

Here is Melody's first e-mail from the MTC!

Hey Everyone!

Wow! I can't believe it has only been a week since I arrived here!! This week has been the longest week of my life!! Ha Ha. and the thing is, I have LOVED every minute of it!! My P-day is Thursday but since I had so much to do last week and I had only been here for a day we didn't get to write. I only have 30 minutes to e-mail so I will have to hurry.

I have two companions and I love them!! They are Hna. McKnight and Hna. Olsen! They are both SO different from me but I am learning TONS from them and loving them more and more every day! In my district there are 7 Elders! I LOVE MY DISTRICT!!!! We have so much fun and have grown so much in only a week! My teachers are Hno. Chandler and Hno. Jensen!! They are so AMAZING!! The only thing is that Hno. Jensen (my favorite of the two) had to quit yesterday so that he could focus on school. We will greatly miss him!!

I have loved getting to know all of my Elders and my companions. I am so lucky that my Elders like to play volleyball. There are 6 sand volleyball courts here at the MTC and I am never lacking in having missionaries to play with. Yesterday it was raining all day so we were worried about not being able to play outside (the indoor court is unavailable do to construction in the gym) but we were able to go out and play. It was a blast playing in wet sand and the rain coming down. :) A few of my Elders are really good! And there are other Elders in the Zone that really know how to play. It has been great!

The Firesides and Devotionals are probably my favorite part!! (Melissa- I saw some missionaries that were learning how to speak ASL translate for one of the meetings!) So far I haven't had any of the Twelve here but I love who has been here. I don't have my study journal with me so I don't remember the names. But my favorite Fireside was about "Doing Hard Things and Being Obedient". AMAZING!! I loved it!!

My Spanish is improving so much already!! I can pray in Spanish and bare my testimony!! I love it!! I asked not to get moved to the intermediate Spanish class and I was blessed with being able to stay with my WONDERFUL district! I am able to help the Elders and Hna. McKnight learn! Hna. Olsen probably knows more Spanish rules and words than me, but I speak a little better so we help each other learn.

What kind of questions do any of you have?? I have so much going on that I don't know what to write! Oh!!! I met an Elder from Dominican Republic!!! He will be going to St. George (I think English speaking). but he was starring at me so I said hi. Then he asked me (in Spanish) where I am from. I figured he wanted to know my ethnicity so I said (in Spanish!!!) that my dad was from the DR. He was super excited! So Keep an eye out for an Elder Lorez(??) Analaine. He is kinda short and looks Dominican. Hahaha.

I would absolutely love to get LETTERS!!!!! It is probably faster for me to get information that way. (Until I get to Guatemala) I will be leaving here in two weeks!! I don't know if that will be enough time. Hahaha.

Oh I was able to go to the temple this morning!!! It was probably one of the (if not THE) most spiritual sessions I've been to!! I was amazing to see all my Elders and companions in the Celestial room!

I don't know what else to tell you other than I LOVE IT HERE!!! I want to hear from you all!! I love you!!!! The Church is true!!! And remember to learn as much as you can about the gospel!!

Love,

Hermana Pelaez

Melody has been in the MTC for 7 days nows. We have received one letter and one note. She is loving it. Right now she is in a threesome with sisters from Las Vegas, Nevada and Fresno, California. She may change though because she took a test and is able to move up to a harder Spanish class. If she decides to it would mean changing districts and companions.

She will leave the MTC on August 17 to go to the MTC in Guatemala. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Melody sends her love.

Called to Serve

Well, this is it. I am officially a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It still seems like I have to wait forever until I leave, but in reality I am leaving my house in one hour for the last time. How crazy!! I am so excited to see what life holds for me in the next 18 months. :D Who would have guessed that I would be doing this! I always thought I would get married or going to school. I can't wait to see how much I will learn and change. One thing I am looking forward to the most is the changes and experiences I will have!

However, I know what I will miss things. Haha. Obviously! The thing I will miss the most is my family. It sounds crazy but I have never gone more than one day without talking to a member of my family! The longest I've lived away (away meaning more than 3 hours) from my home was two weeks! I love each and everyone of my family members so much!!! The next thing I will miss is volleyball!! I will play as often as I can but it won't be near as much as I play now. :)

I just thought it would be appropriate for me to end my last personal entry with my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ lives! I know that He loves me with more love than anyone can comprehend. He loves everyone!! I know that His full gospel is here today because the prophet Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With help from God, Prophet Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. This amazing book is true!! It testifies of Heavenly Father and His Son along with the Bible! I love this Church. I have never been more sure of what I know! I can't wait to find more conviction for my knowledge! I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet of God today! I love you all!!! In the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Happy Ending and Wonderful Beginning

Today I was able to spend time with my mom and youngest sister, Bob. Well, most of the time was just with my mom. Bob is training with an All-Area team that she made. They will be playing in an international volleyball tournament next week!!! Right now she has two-a-day practices that last 3-5 hours each session. So my mom and I dropped Bob off at training and headed out to get the final items from my missionary shopping list! I can finally say that my shopping is complete. :) While I was out and about, I started to think about the coming week. I realized that this part of my life is coming to an end. Last night was my last time playing pick-up volleyball games in my gym. Today was the last time I drove to Provo and back. (Next time I go to Provo, I won't make the trip home again.) I won't be shopping for mission stuff in America anymore. This is the last Wednesday before I'm an official missionary. The list goes on and on. And when you think of only the things that I won't do anymore, it gets depressing!!

That is when I started listing all the things that I get to begin. I will be serving others EVERY day!!! I will be able to search and study the Word of God more thoroughly. Which means I will understand my Heavenly Father's will better! I will be starting fresh. I've always wanted to go some place where no one knew me. I could be who I wanted and start on a fresh page. Now I can do that!! I will be able to live life outside of America!!!!! This time of my life will teach and show me how blessed I am here in the Land of the Free. I will experience life with a whole new perspective!! And I can not wait!!!!

The things that I am beginning is by far better than the things that I am ending (for 18 months). I am so excited to learn and change!!! I want to work my hardest and help in the best way I can! And when I return, I want to Return With Honor! Then I will be able to pick up what I left behind and go on with my life's mission!!

Life is great!!!

Saying "See you later" :)

Today has been a wonderful day to finish off a great weekend!! I really hadn't thought much about this day until it got here. Last week I wrote my talk (the first time I've written a talk before the morning of) so that I wouldn't have to worry about it while I was out of town.

On Friday morning I left home for a family reunion. :) It was a great time and I really enjoyed the little get away! There was lots of time to catch up with family that I haven't seen in a while and get closer with new family. There was good food, family stories, fresh mountain air, and good old-time country cowboy songs the first night. But my favorite day was Saturday!! We went on what my family said was a 5-mile hike. I personally think it was a mile or two longer than that. However, it was beautiful and fun!! I got to interact more with my amazing cousin from Arizona, K. She is such a cute girl! My one and only boy cousin (not counting the 2nd cousins etc.) and I talked quite a bit. I just loved that!! He is such a cool guy. He is a big part of my family and I love it! After the hike we were able to spend some time in the pool and that was really nice. K stuck with my sisters and I and we had a fun time!

All the family time was great, but my favorite part of the weekend was today!! It was so wonderful seeing all the family and friends that came out to show their support for me! There were so many people that showed up that it was a HUGE surprise!!! I really didn't think that very many people would be there! While I was sitting on the stand I kept watching and watching as more and more chairs got pulled out and filled up!! I feel so blessed and loved!

You see, I was only a little nervous while I was waiting to get up there. I was very certain that the nerves would go away once I started to go over my talk. But then... I just felt nervous the whole time!! I kept fidgeting with my ring and my feet were going crazy. Hahaha. I was sure that at any second I would feel comfortable and relax but no. Not even after I sat down did I stop feeling nervous. When my amazing dad went up to give the closing prayer I finally felt calm!! I just love him!

When all was said and done at the church, so many of my family and friends came over to enjoy some food and talk! It was wonderful! :)

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Family Times and Memories

I just love going on family vacations. There are always good times and food! The bad thing about them is that they have to end some time. I'm back from my grandparents house and it is just starting to sink in that I only have three weeks until I am gone.

While on vacation I took pictures of practically everything!! I have hundreds of pictures that tell of the fun times we had. I wish I could put them all on here but I'll put only a handful. :)

We spent a few days of the trip pouring a cement driveway for my grandparents. All the kids helped out and worked hard. We were the only crew my dad had. If I can say so, we did a pretty good job!!

We went camping and sight-seeing for part of the trip. I love the views that we saw and I just love nature!!!

What is a vacation without some time at the pool?! We went to the town pool every chance we could! It was a small little thing but we had fun!

While we were at the pool one day, we saw this beautiful sideways rainbow! :)

My grandparents always have this feeder hanging outside their window. My sister, Nut, was patient and diligent and got this amazing picture! Later on in the trip Bob and Munchkin tried catch a hummingbird. It didn't really work but Munchkin did touch one. :)

My grandparents are temple workers so I was able to go to the temple with them. I spent the whole day there!! It was so amazing and beautiful!! It made my dream of visiting every temple even more vivid! This temple was so small in comparison to the temples close to my home! But I loved it all the same!

We are on our way home in this picture! I love my family!!

Blast From the Past

A little while ago I mentioned to my mom that I wanted to visit my grandparents at their home. I mean I get to see my grandparents pretty much every year but it just isn't the same as being at their actual house. My family and I discussed it and came to the conclusion that it has been almost five years since we have taken the time to drive up to visit. How crazy!! I miss this old house that smells like my grandma and holds memories of Easters and Christmas' from the past! I am so glad that we had time to come up before I left.

The first night we got in town (which was last night), all the kids decided to go on a run. Ok, can I just tell you how completely out of shape I am in. Nut and Bob ran up ahead of Flip and me for the whole run. We only ran a little over a mile but it was harder than I thought it would be for me. Thankfully, Nut didn't want to run more than a mile because of what her coach told her! If we would have ran any farther I would have dropped dead. Haha.

Nut's boyfriend came with us on this trip and I am so glad that he was with us on our run!! We had an encounter with some young hooligans and Teddy almost got in a fight. But I think the other guys got scared when they say how big Teddy is!

So far this trip has been amazing!! I love it here with my family, having a great time!!! It will only get better from here!

Pictures will come shortly...

Moments That Make Life

Here I was thinking that this summer would be totally and completely boring. However, there has been a lot going on so far and as I look at a calendar, I notice how much I have to do and how little time I have until I'm off serving the Lord. It is so much better being busy rather than not. In the last little while I have gone to two weddings, shopped for my mission (and I still have more to get), been to a water park, helped prep my sisters rooms for painting, drove to Cedar City, and played tons of volleyball!! It has been so much fun!!

The weddings were for two of my cousins (you know the ones that are like twice removed or something of the sort). The decorations were so very different from each other and all so cute!! My sisters and I had fun with them.

The following pictures are from the first wedding.





I was also able to go to a water park with my sisters, brother, my sister's boyfriend and my mom a little bit ago!! It was so much fun! I hadn't been to this water park before and I had a blast being there with my family.




This last weekend my sisters and I played on a team in the Summer Games while my dad coached us. It was a great weekend in Cedar!! We were able to bring home a Gold for our division!! Now let me tell you, I am so sore from having to play than sit than play for two days. It was worth it though!

This was the first time the four of us sisters have played together!
It goes Me, Nut, Flip, and Bob!!
So much fun!!

The Lord's Ways

Today has been a trying day for me. It started out like any other day. I woke up and had chores to do. However, it quickly became a day for me to learn of my many weaknesses. Many missionaries have been known to say that they have never been so aware of how many weaknesses they have until they are out there serving the Lord. Well, I think the Lord has started early with me!! I have always known that God has a hand in every part of my life but I didn't think he would humble me in the way I have been today. I am truly grateful for the Love I have felt from the Lord and how much I know that He cares for me. I know that I have been sent to my parents for a reason!! I love them and they have shown me how much they love me today!! When I expected to be yelled at and punished severely, they have surprised me! Yes, they have been strict and shown huge disappointment in me. But they have also shown me compassion and patience. My daddy gave me a hug and a kiss like he has never done before!!! He comforted me when I expected more anger than he has shown before! I thought I had cried out all the tears my body can hold but even as I write this they leak out on my cheeks. I guess I've never cried enough to know how much I water I really hold. Haha. I have more than I am willing to admit. The Lord works in His own way and He can not be predicted! Word to the wise, don't try to predict him!!

Inspiration

I have a friend that is currently serving a mission. She just had her last week in the MTC and is now in Thailand! I'm sure she is loving every minute of her time there. I got the following quote from her. I just love it!! Hope you do too!

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminece, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be first, right, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear. My foundation will be firm.

Angels that God Sends

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you hadn't met someone or if you had met someone? I don't regret meeting anyone. I've learned so many lessons from different people in my life. But sometimes I wish I could change the order in which I meet people. This wish came because I have started talking again with a good friend of mine that I meet a few days after I met D. (The guy that I go to the temple with). I met him on a blind date. I didn't expect anything to come from this date. I was really just doing a favor for V. I didn't even take very much time getting ready. So I went looking like a bum and found out that I had to drive to pick up my date (we'll call him George). I got to his house and George walked out holding a box of tile. I was surprised! Who brings tile on a date? Haha. It turns out that he needed the tile for his buddy's house. When we met up with V and her date, George took the tile to the other guy's car.

The rest of the date was pretty good! The longer it went on the more glad I was that I was paired up with George and not V's date. Well, the date ended and nothing extraordinary happened. George and I kept in contact through text for the next week. Then I was getting to know D more and so the next weekend I decided to blow off the date George and I set up. How horrible of me, I know. We stopped talking then because of me. How terrible, but I just wasn't sure if he was the kind of guy I wanted to get to know. Plus he was out of town and D wasn't. I was spending more time in D's presence, so naturally I went with what I had in reach.

Then a couple of weeks ago we started talking again! It turns out that the surprises didn't end with the tile George had during the first date. So many things I have learned about him have been unexpected!! With each new thing that I learn about George, I wish I had met people in different order or time of my life. Although I don't regret anything about my friendship with D, it would have been so much more interesting if I had stayed with George. Who knows where it would have led to. Some might say that it's not too late. I whole heartily agree expect for one small fact. He is now off on the other side of the country working for the summer and I'm getting ready to go to Guatemala.

This whole thing has gotten me thinking about the timing of when we meet people. You see, I am starting to really like this guy!! I know I have only spent a few hours with him, but we have talked every day for the last few weeks. I know that I have met George for a reason. God sends angels in the form of friends all the time. But why now? I really think that George is someone I can marry so maybe that is why we are talking. But I am needed out in the mission field! I know this as a fact! If George was here with me now, or if we had continued to talk when we first met, I probably wouldn't have even thought of a mission. So now, I will have to wait for a year and nine months at least before I see him. He might be the guy that gives me the support I need while I am out serving. Who knows?! All I can do now is hope that there isn't some other girl lucky enough to catch his attention while I'm gone. Haha. We already have so much that we want to do together! It would be a shame to not be able to do it!! So life goes on and patience is the lesson to be learned from this experience. Too bad I can't get a sneak peek of the future. :)

Summer Begins

It's official. Summer is here!!! When it is not raining the weather is so warm and beautiful! Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, just not every day. Haha. So what kicked off the summer in my area of the world? Nothing less than ME graduating from high school!!! We are all so proud of her! It was an interesting graduation because many of the people I graduated with were at the ceremony. I guess they all had someone they knew graduating. Small world!

Just before ME got her diploma.

Waiting to walk out of the arena.

Almost ready to leave and so excited!

Walking out. I think this picture is sweet!

All the siblings, a nephew, and a cousin!!

It was fun seeing her finish off her high school years! Now ME is off to my Alma Mater to play some volleyball!! I am so excited for her! The only thing that would make it better is if I could actually watch her play a game. Haha. But Guatemala will be amazing!

As for me, I've finally started to get things that I will need for my mission! I went shopping on Monday with my mom and Bob (the youngest sister). It was pretty fun! We headed to the Sister Missionary Mall for clothes. I loved that little store! I was able to get most of my clothes there and pay more for clothes than I ever have before. Hahaha. I'm on my way and it feels good to be doing something more for my mission!!

The Comforts of the Gospel

This last weekend was supposed to be very fun and full of volleyball. I was asked to play on an acquaintance's team for a fund-raiser volleyball tournament. I am always up for some volleyball so I was looking forward to the all day tourney. My acquaintance asked me to bring a guy-friend that could play. I invited one of my recent friend that is a blast to play with, J. I meet him in SLC and when we got there I realized it was pretty much an all-Polynesian tourney. There were probably 12 white people there with about 100+ Poly and me. J kind of stuck out, but I didn't mind being there because I've had plenty of time with poly's before.

When we started playing, J and I were informed that we picked up two extra players from another team that hadn't show up. It didn't effect my playing time because the two extra players were guys. It was a coed tourney so there had to be three or more girls on the court at all times. Although J was supposed to be on the original team he didn't get much playing time. With two guys added to the already four on the team none of the guys stayed in much. So half way through the tourney J left to hang with his girlfriend. I thought it would be better because then we would have consistent people on the court. Well... before J left we were winning about half of our games. Actually exactly half of them. After he left we won only one of the three games we played, therefore kicking us out of the double elimination bracket. :(

Not only did the playing level go down after J left but I felt more out of place. Weird I know but I have good reason. The acquaintance of mine is an interesting guy. He had a difficult time waking up for the first game and I just figured he stayed up late. I was right but I found out what he was doing during his late night hours in the middle of our second match. I was right next to him on the court and he leaned in the talk to me. The smell of alcohol hit me like a wall. I was so shocked to smell him so strongly. Who in the world drinks in between any sports game?! Every time I was by him I had to do one of three things 1- hold my breathe, 2- turn away, or 3- breathe into my hands. I was so surprised that someone would literally be drunk while playing!! After J left, I felt even more uncomfortable because I didn't want to talk with my team very much but I didn't want to sit alone.

The next thing that made it hard to be at the tournament was another breach on the Word of Wisdom. A few of the people my teammates knew would take their breaks outside. The weather was beautiful so I could see why I would go out there. However, when these people came back inside to sit by the teammates that were by me, I again had to plug my nose and turn away. they were smoking right out the front doors and then coming in to play volleyball. Again, who in their right mind do that?! I mean seriously. What did I get myself into?! I did not feel like playing anymore!

One last thing, the guys on my team, apart from J, were quite unique. They all fit in with each other very well because I think they all were gay. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but I just couldn't stand spending the entire day with gay men around me. Some of the guys were seriously acting way more feminine than I would ever act.

As I have been thinking about what I see as a wasted weekend, I can't help but notice what peace and comfort I feel by living the gospel standards!! I don't think it would be very fun to be the one that makes others uncomfortable by reeking of alcohol or smoke. I wouldn't want to stand out from a group because I was one of the rare ones that "swing a different way" when it comes to relationships. Not only does the gospel allow me to keep the company of many different people without making them uncomfortable, it also allows me the health and strength I need to perform in sports! I have heard from many different sources that getting outside of your comfort-zone is good for you but I have decided to never leave this particular comfort-zone!!!

Days go by!

Well life seems to just be floating around me. It's almost like I have nothing to do and all day to do it. Haha. Right now I'm a nanny again! I just need to say that I am surrounded by little ones and I love it!!! Not only am I still a nursery teacher but I watch baby B now and next week I will be watching my ADORABLE nephew (for about 2 weeks!!). He is getting so big! He turns 2 this week and is talking pretty well. He almost has all our names figured out but his favorite name by far is his uncle's. Haha. It must be a boy thing.

Baby B!!! So cute!!!!


Nephew!!! Growing up fast! What a stud!

Although life is floating by me, it's just starting for my little sisters. My sister ME finally got asked to a boys choice dance!! (Guys around her are so dumb!) And she was absolutely GORGEOUS!!!


I helped find this dress! She definitely looks like a princess. :) A little girl that was at the restaurant she ate dinner, went up and asked her if she was a princess! So cute!!!


This is ME and her cute date! She had a blast with him! He is such a good guy! :) I approve haha.



Another thing that happened and I forgot to report was Institute Graduation. I was surprised in finding out that I had enough credits in the right classes to graduate! I never really planned on graduating. It was a good program! :)



One last recent event was Munchkin turning 13!! Holy cow! He is getting so old. Hahaha. I still remember him as a 3 year old that only wanted to dress like a cowboy! He is turning into quite a good handsome young man. :) Love you Munch!

Life is GREAT!!!

Wow!! That is the best I can say. And I think it's not very adequate for describing the last week. After receiving my call, I had to quickly decide when I would be going through the temple. I really wanted to have as much family and friends with me that could make it. The Lord obviously knew this! I was sort of complaining earlier that it was taking too long for my call to come. But in reality, it came at the perfect time!! Last week my cousin graduated from UVU with an Associates in Culinary Arts (Congrats K!!) and because of this my grandparents came to Utah. They were at my house on Tuesday before it came and then surprised me when they went to my aunt's house on Wednesday morning. Haha. Good thing there is three-way calls now. :) But They had to leave for home yesterday. So I had less than a week to get my temple recommend and a date set for me to go through, or wait til the end of the month. Luckily my mom set up the temple appointment and I was able to see the bishop AND stake president after church on Sunday!

I was able to make it to the temple on Tuesday night!! Oh wow!!! I am so happy!! I was nervous that I would get information overload, but I didn't. It was amazing and I can't wait to go back!

Only Three Months

Well, my call has arrived!!! It has been a busy few days and this is the first real time I have had to sit down and write. When I first opened the envelope to see where I would be going, I only registered a G. My initial thought was Guadalajara, Mexico. It was kind of close... I am going to the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission!!!!! I will be entering the MTC on July 28, 2010. As of today... That is 88 days away!!! What?!?! That does not seem like very much time at all. I will be starting to get everything together soon! :) I can't wait to go!!!

IT'S HERE!!

Ok, so this will be quick. I was out and about doing things with my dear friend V this morning. When I got home, I hopefully checked my mail... I didn't want to get too excited because what if my call didn't come today. Well, I looked into the mailbox. There was a big white envelope at the bottom of the pile. I pulled the whole pile out. There was the LDS mailing logo on the top left corner. I moved the other letters from the top. And you guessed it, my name was right there on top!! Now I am pretty sure that it is my mission call!!!! Haha, unless someone is pulling a prank on me and it's not. Haha. I doubt that. :D I'll be on soon to tell you the news!!!!