Sonpopos

Large Ants. Gigantic Ants. Nasty Nightmare Rendering Ants. And you know what the people do with them here? They fry them, put some lemon and salt on 'em, and eat them. I'm literally so grossed out. All day Saturday the patojos were out looking for these ants of the devil. Some have wings. Their pinchers are freaking huge. Really they just gross me out. I didn't take any pictures because I was in a sketch part of the area and I didn't want to get robbed. But if you really want to I'm sure you can go ahead and google it. It's interesting because apparently they only come out in the month of May and the youngins of Guatemala take great interest in them. I don't know why. But it was interesting to see the ninos of Guate with bottles, buckets, and bowls just filled with these nasty ants. But yeah that's something interesting and slightly funny for you. 

Anyway this week has been good. Really vague I know. No but this week was fun. I made paper flowers with the mujeres jovenes, ate salt and vinegar chips (thanks mom!), went to the temple with some youngins, made chuchitos (small version of tamales) with my mejor amiga, and had a fun week of having wet feet in los tempestos de Guate!  

Anyway now for something a little more spiritual. I'm sorry if you feel my letters are a little monotouness. (I think I spelt that right. I can't speak English anymore.) I've never been the  best at transitions and it's easier to just have a format for writing. But hey I told you about Sonpopos so be happy!  

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But yeah back on topic. It's cool to see how the Holy Ghost works with people. You people already know about Alex. Obvi. Well this week we went to visit him with two members who just happen to be english teachers. Alex wasn't home but his step-dad was. Romulo has an extreme desire to learn english and already knows a lot. Anyway he asked us if we could teach him a lesson in english. So we taught him about faith. And that was one of the coolest lessons that I've ever had. It was more like a lesson in spanglish but it was a really cool spiritual experience. But then Alex's mom, Vicky, came home and we talked about Alex's baptism. And how they both felt. And they apparently felt that they should both be baptized. So we talked about baptism and the opportunity they have as a family to be together forever. It was beautiful. You could just see the peace and joy overcome both of their faces. Sometimes I really just love being a missionary. I'm sorry if I'm not the most descriptive but this was one of those experiences where I don't know how to write it down. But hopefully you people understand. That it was a miracle to me to see that a boy of 12 and his desire to follow the example of the savior is now helping his family to also have that same desire. It's incredible.

Anyway that's what I've got for you people. I love you all! I think you're great! Till next time!

Hna Judd/Marley    

Confessing Love

Yesterday we talked to a drunk man who confessed his love to my comp. So that was fun and her response was freaking hilarious. "Can I say something?" Her, "Si." "I'm in love with you." "No, you're in love with the gospel." I just about died. It was so freaking hilarious.

Anyway this week has been quite adventurous. I made cheesecake and we had a birthday party for an elder in the zone, I helped make pupusas (a lady in our ward is from el salvador), were ready for rain, ​
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​we went to the temple with the youth and took 5 youngins to have a lesson with the Temple Sisters (some people don't know how to take pics so I'm sorry), my comp made me pancakes, said goodbye to some elders who left out zone çause of zchanges (I could not take pictures that day. I promise I'm not that fat. It's the angle.), and went out with my pal Itaty who's leaving for her mission in a month to Costa Rica. And yeah fin.

 

Oh and I talked to my fam on Sunday! That was freaking amazing. I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. But it made me really happy to talk to all of them and feel like I was a little at home again. It's weird what little things change in 6 months. Like my Nor-baby has hair and 2 teeth and can walk and run. Like what even!? And my Pigtata has 2 new teeth as well. And Townsend's going on a mission and I won't see him for 2 years and almost 10 months. That's sad.

Anyway this week in spirituality I was studying the parable of the talents in La Biblia and I had some cool thoughts about it. Ready? So I know in the parable it's talents are money. But ever since I was a youngin I liked to think they were actually talents. Things that we excel at, hobbies, etc. But it's interesting how we're all given talents according to each of our personal abilities. And yes we each have our natural talents but we also need to work hard so we can improve and excel in those talents. Voy a hacer un ejemplo de mi hermano y yo. Did you understand that? One of my siblings is naturally skilled with music and I've always thought it a bit unfair. But I, not being so naturally skilled at music have worked and practiced a ton. And now I have a talent because I've worked for it. He has the natural ability but because he hasn't worked at it I have a little more talent. Or not talent but knowledge. Or whatever. You get it. But this principle applies to everything. We need to work hard if we want to gain glory in heaven. We need to multiply our talents, our love, our faith, our testimony, our charity, everything. In summary strive to do your best and be rewarded. Physically, mentally, spiritually, etc. I have no idea if that made any sense and you got something out of it. My english communication skills are beginning to suck.

But on the flip side I didn't feel as crappy about my spanish this week. I had a man at the Granizada stand say my Spanish is really good for a gringa, a youth said my spanish is probably 85/100 (that's a straight up lie but hey), and a member who I met on my first day in the field says how it's amazing how much I've progressed in just 4 1//2 months. It makes me happy that I'm improving a little. 

Anyway people that's all I've really got for you. Love ya! Till next time!

Hermana Judd

God Loving Me a.k.a. Tender Mercies

This week was a little hard for me. Well Spanish wise. Dude some days I felt like not a single person could understand me. But on these days I had little tender mercies given to me that just showed how much God loves me. For instance one of these days we had just gotten out of a lesson that I totally messed up with my lovely Spanish skills. I was feeling a little depressed about it but then as we were walking we came across practically all the young men of the ward and my friend Katy. They were just hanging at her pinata shop. So we stopped and talked to them. And every single one of those youth could understand me perfectly. I had really good conversations with those youngins and it made me feel a ton better about my spanish. That it's not crap. And that I'm actually doing really well. 

Anyway that was just one way of God loving me. Also this past week I found out that I only get 40 minutes to talk to my fam instead of an hour. I know I'm entitled. But this put me in a depressed mood. Cause I'm sure as you all know I really love my fam. 20 minutes is 20 freaking minutes. Anyway I was sad about that for like a day but then I went to mutual and one of the youth is friends with my dear mother on facebook. And she showed me the video of Townsend opening his mission call. 

And it's just tiny things like that, where yes I'll be sad but very soon after something will happen that will lift my mood. And I love it. I love those little tender mercies of the lord. 

Anyway my challenge for you people outside this world of missionary work, is to see those tender mercies in your lives. To notice those little blessings that show that God loves us and knows us and does things for us everyday that make us happy. 

And yeah. You guys get two spiritual notisms today. Just because I feel like it. I was reading a great book during personal study called Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. Anyway it mentioned a parable in Matthew 22:1-14 but it ended with the famous saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen."And I don't know, but I feel like I've been seeing this scripture a lot lately. So in consequence I've been thinking about what it means. I always thought that "chosen"meant that someone else chooses us. In this case being God. But on further contemplation I realized in this instance, it's us who choose. We choose if we are the "chosen". And how do we become the "chosen"? I think that we choose to be "chosen"by seeking out those good things. Those blessings, those glories, and those truths that the gospel brings. By earnestly seeking these things our lives begin to change and in this change we become the "chosen". And how do we earnestly seek those good things? By reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, serving others, all those good ol'basic primary answers. Anyway there's an excerpt from my personal studies. Hope you liked it. 

Anyway this week I made rice crispy treats for p-day, we celebrated the b-day of Alex x2, taught Ronald McDonald the gospel, hung with investigators y  recent converts, and hung with my favorite family de Aguilar and drank Mango juice with them. We also made cheesecake but that's for next weeks story. 

Funny wise not much happened. I did teach a couple youth how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb and Chopsticks on the piano. But yeah that was pretty much it. 

Anyway my people I feel like this letter was a little more serious. But my goal with these letters is to be me. Not some missionary where everything is fine and dandy 24/7. Cause it's not. But like everyone else in the world there's ups and downs in my daily life. But overall I'm enjoying myself and that's what's important. So hope you enjoyed this weekly report from Marley News. Till next time!

Hermana Marley Judd   

Being Food Blind

​I've come to notice over the past couple weeks that I'm becoming food blind. And how do I know this you may ask_ Because there have been several moments now where I'm like, (Wow. These beans are delicious.) This is legit black refried beans with onions. And that's it. And if that doesn't tell you something I don{t know what does. Or another example...we'll get Little Ceasars Pizza for lunch on P'Day and it feels like the best pizza I've ever tasted. I feel ashamed of myself. But hey at least I have something to look forward to when I get back. Mum I would like roast beef. Por fa.

But speaking of the food of Guatemala I had a crap load of Granizadas this week. It{s pretty much a glorified snow cone. But it{s better because it's technically like $0.60 and it has fresh coco y pina on it. And yeah it{s delish. There{s a pic included. Don't worry.

Oh and mangos are to die for. They{re so freaking delicious and you can get 5 for 10 quetz. 8 quetz is a dollar. You can do the math. And then compare it to the price of American mangos. Bananas are also the best. And pineapples. These are the best fruits of Guatemala. They're cheap and I feel like I{m being healthy. Because the rest of the day I just eat 1 quet cookies and drink bags of water. My life is weird. 

 

Anyway now that I've told you about food, because I'm sure that's what you really wanted to hear about, let us talk about something a little bit more spiritual in topic. This week we talked to a drunk man. It was a little sad. He just told us how much he wanted to change and how he wanted to be someone. But in just one moment I saw him for what he really was. A child of God. And it was so sad to see that he didn{t know he already was someone. That he had the power to change. It all just depended on him. I bore my testimony about it and I think me and my comp gave him hope to accomplish his goal. I love the hope and love the gospel brings. That through the knowledge that we have a father in heaven that loves us and gave us a his son as sacrifice we have a way to change for the better. I love it. Just that knowledge alone makes me happy. I{m grateful for the opportunity to share that knowledge with others. Because it really does change lives. And it{s amazing to see that changing affect up close. 

Anyway besides teaching and being a good little missionary I did a lot of fun things this week. I helped a lady make a cake for her daughters b'day, had lunch with a councilor of the stake pres., ate granizadas (aforementioned), went bowling and looked around a mall on P'Day, had entrevistas a.k.a took pics with the elders, completed 5 months, hung out with some pinatas, cleaned a church building, and yeah fun stuff like that.

As for funny things not much happened. Shocking I know. I had a lot of people correct my spanish this week. But that's not so much funny as it is depressing. I'll be fluent someday. I know it. But I'm actually quite impressed with how fast I've been able to learn it. It's incredible. Hallelujah for the gift of tongues! 

Anyway my people thank you for everything as always. I hope you enjoy these little weekly updates about my life here in a foreign country. If you have any questions feel free to ask! Anyway thats all for now!

Hna Judd a.k.a Marley

p.s. I miss my name.   

Alex's Baptism!

This was by far my favorite baptism of the mission. Yet anyway. Before the baptism he was so excited/nervous and it was just so cute. There was a lot of little problems before hand like the clothes that the elders brought didn't fit him, and we had to wait forever for his family, a lot of the members were about to leave for a temple trip, and we didn't have money for cake like Alex wanted ("because this is another birthday"), and yeah you get the point. But it all worked out! We found clothes! His family got there and all the members were able to be there as well! And even a miracle of cake was brought by the Primary Pres.! Miracles left and right. And then the actual baptism service was super sweet. My pals Katy y Benjamin gave amazing talks about baptism and the holy ghost and I cried. And when it was time for the actual baptism Alex's little bro Marvin wanted to see but through the door of the baptism font and almost fell in. So that was funny. Alex was so happy after being baptized. He had so much joy in his face (even if he baptized his phone too) and his mom cried for joy. Idk it was just an amazing experience and I can't really describe it that well. My English skills have begun to slacken the more I learn Spanish.

Anyway this kid is pilas. Pilas is like someone who's on top of things. His desire to learn about the gospel and follow the savior is an amazing example to me. An example of the type of enthusiasm I need to have as I teach and learn more about God and his plan and love for us. I mean his favorite song is Mas Cerca Dios de Ti, or in English, Nearer my God to Thee. We have sung that song so many times throughout our lessons. But I think it's a perfect song to explain his desire to draw near to our Savior and our Heavenly Father. It's beautiful. I love it.

The baptism was probably the highlight of this week but besides that this week has been crazy busy. Like I'm tired and my feet hurt and I want to go lay down and die. But so is the life of a missionary. This week we went to the wedding of some investigators of Nimajuyu (elders in our district), went to a baptism in La Justo (elders in our zone), and we had divisions with the Hermana Leaders. Let's just say it was a lot of walking and bus riding and feeling exhausted. But as much as missionary work is hard I'd say it's worth it. I get a lot of joy out of it and I know that the people we visit everyday do too. Well probably. I'm not a mind reader. 

Now to teach you about my pics. They don't say "show me" they say "teach me" when talking about showing things here. It's a confusing thing about Spanish that I don't understand. But whatever. Pics include colorful houses, drinking bags of water and my comp, "exquisite" tostadas con frijoles y queso, my district, Alex, Alex and his fam and us, my zone leader dressed like an 8 year old getting baptized, mis amigos Katy y Benja, a mango tree, and the birthday of the Viky (the mom of Alex). Fin.

I'm beginning to understand why literally every missionary is like "you should go on a mission" before I just thought it was mumbojumbo and they were just saying it because they had to. But now that I've been on the mission for almost 5 months I'm starting to get it. I will be honest. Being a missionary is really hard. But I've also never been happier. And it's weird because I still really miss my familia and a veces the things of the world but I just love it. I love seeing people be happy. I love being a personal witness that the  gospel brings that happiness. I love having weird experiences. (I'll tell some stories later) I love doing fun things everyday like going to weddings and birthdays and baptisms. I love being apart of those moments of joy. So for anyone who's thinking about going on a mission or isn't sure, I'm going to join the chorus and say, "You should go!" And I'm giving you my reason why. I know that when people told me they didn't give me a reason. Just that I should. But my reason is that it brings so much joy!!!! And why? I think it's because you're constantly serving 24/7. If not people it's the lord. And how great is that!? And it doesn't just bring joy to yourself but it brings joy to others. Investigators, members, family, everyone. And the purpose of life is to have joy. So how great is it once you've found it? Anyway rant over. 

Now for funny stories. Divisions with the Hermana Leaders were quite eventful in terms of things happening. I think it's because in my area the people are getting used to seeing me around. But I was in a new area and wow was I noticed. "Goodbye my love!" "How you doing girl?!" "It's nice to meet you." (I was walking past) "Good morning!" (It was night) And my favorite was when we went to an investigators house and this lady comes up to me, touches my hair, doesn't say hi or anything, and just says, "Ella es bien canche." And then my comp was like, "She's really tall too." (I was sitting down.) And the lady was like, "But you're tall too." My comp is a tall for latino standards. Anyway when I stood up the lady's mouth literally opened and her eyes were all wide with shock. I laughed after the fact. Oh! And I had a drunk guy kiss my hand. That was interesting. It definitely was a moment where I'm like what the heck is my life? So yeah that was funny moments with Marley. I hope you enjoyed them.

Anyway my dears, yo no tengo mas a decirle pero gracias por su apoyo en mi vida aqui en la mision. I love you! Till next time!

Hermana Judd           

Tons of Pics! Woo!

Dear people of the world....

This week  has literally flown by. It's been so fast! Mainly because we had a lot of activities. Called Pday, and a Multi-Zone Conference, and a SocSoc activity, and a Baptism that we went to, and Church, and District Meetings, and all the fun jazz that goes along with being a missionary. 

And good news! I have a TON of pictures for you. Definitely a big contrast from last week. Ready? Voy a explicar mis fotos....

1.P-Day with some of my team members for soccer. We won like 8 games in a row. I was team captain. I'm a great team leader. (Aren't I humble?) Jk I just know who's profesh and who's not. Literally though we have two elders in our zone who have played professionally. One went to the world cup for Panama and the other was on the national team for Chili. I feel quite inept when it comes to soccer. To say the least. Anyway I made us laurels for our success.  (the people pictured are not the professionals)

2.One of those spinny things in a park with my compa 

3.Me and my 1st and 2nd district leaders 

4.My pal Hna Zapata. She's from Chicago. 

5.This chick legit came up to me and asked if she could take a pic with me. "Yeah why not? Por que?"Ï finally found a sister that's taller than me!"If you couldn't guess I'm the tallest sister in the mission.

6.My Hna Mendez! She's from Honduras and was my amazing translator/friend in the CCM when I was the only gringa. 

7.One of my ZL's and an elder who used to be in our zone. 

8.Making typical sandwiches with the youth leaders of the ward.

9.A pomegranate tree growing randomly in the street. (This is mainly for my sibs.)

10.Alex and his entire fam

11.Marvin (bro of Alex) He's super cool. He dances Punta for me. 

12.Me and my dinner

13.A view from a rooftop

14.A cute little 2 year old se llama Daniela. She's the sweetest. She gives me hugs and kisses and shows me all of her toys. All of them. She also makes me miss Jane a little. 

Y fin de fotos! And now for a funny story. One day I was knocking doors with my comp (obvi) and two youth who were walking around with us. We come to a door with some really chill music. Knock. And instead of answering whoever was inside just turns the music up louder. We knock again. And the music is turned up even louder. It's like, Ökay. Thanks. We won't tell you you have great taste in music and want to share a joyful message with you."Then we knock on the door of this persons neighbor. This lady opens the door with THE biggest smile. And then she sees us. The smile drops. And she's like, Öh you're not the grocery."And slams the door. Literally the funniest 10 minutes of my life. I know that being rejected is supposed to be disappointing or whatever but I just think it's funny. I love people.

Oh another story. We were walking to lunch right? And we pass this guy sitting in the shade of some building. And like he looks at me and just starts wagging is finger and is like "No. No."I just kind of ignore it çause I'm used to that kind of thing now. But then we walked past him again a little while later and he does the exact same thing. & My comp stopped and asked him why. But I'm pretty sure he was drunk or posessed or something because neither of us could understand a word he said. But he shook our hands and we just kind of left. Çause yeah it was a weird situation. Man I love the life of  a missionary. So many weird things happen and it's great.

And now for something somewhat spiritual. This week we went to a SocSoc activity. (The SocSoc is Relief Society) And the question was asked, "Who here was born into the church?"Only me and one other member raised our hands. Only 2 out of 20. I find that incredible. Most of these ladies have now been members for a bazillion years but it just hit me. Not only are these people converts but they've stuck with it after all these years. Why? How have they remained so faithful and strong? Sometimes I think for those of us born into the church take our blessings for granted and some end up falling away. But these beautiful sisters have found happiness and know how to keep it. And I think it's maybe because they didn't have it for their whole lives and now that they have it, they don't want to lose it. Elder Richard G. Scott in some talk long ago said, "Recognize that enduring happiness comes from what you are, not what you have."And I feel like these people have that testimony. They know who they are. So now they're happy. And now they have the strongest desire to help others find that knowledge and happiness as well. It's beautiful and a great example for me as a missionary. Idk I just love that whenever someone finds joy they share it. So that's my job for you peeps. Find joy and share it. Did I get my thought across? Who knows but that's all I wanted to say.

Oh and Alex is getting baptized this Saturday! He's so excited! And his excitement is making me excited. We went to a baptism of some other missionaries with him and after he saw it he just couldn't keep quite. Just saying how he was next and how he just was so happy he wanted to scream it to the world. It was cute and funny and I'm super excited for him. So look forward to that next letter! 

 

Well my darling fans, keep being great! Thanks for all your support while I'm out here in Guatemala! Till next time!  

Hna Judd   

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