Guatemala City South

Well my loyal readers! I'm officially going to the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission! I got the actual mission call last week and it finalized things. I'm to report the 29th of November. My flight is on the 28th for reasons called flying to a different country. I was kind of surprised that I wasn't going to the Provo MTC. Nope! Instead I'm going to the Guatemala MTC. It makes sense I guess. I guess I just didn't know that Guatemala had an MTC and that's why I'm surprised.

To be honest I'm a little apprehensive. I don't know much about Guatemala and I don't know what to even ask or research. I'm luckier than most people though. My Aunt Melanie served her mission in Guatemala 17 years ago and knows some things that I would have no clue about otherwise.

The main things I know so far is that it's a very poor country and it rains. A LOT! Like buckets and buckets forever! So that's exciting I guess. I've already bought my self a pair of sturdy rain boots and a thin rain coat. Hopefully they last the entire time I'm out. It's going to be weird because it's not a cold rain. It's like living in a warm jungle kind of rain. At least that's what I've been told. 

I've researched a little bit but I'm a little wary of the information I find. This is why. Before I moved to Spain I did some research and it was nothing like when I lived there. Sure they ate pulpo but it was nowhere as rainy and cold as it was said to be, things weren't expensive like some people made it out to be, and people were soooooo friendly! Where as some blogs I read made it sound like the locals could be a tad rude. So I'm kind of wondering if I research will my expectations be completely skewed?! I have no idea. 

Well besides that I'm going to be learning me some Spanish! And I'll have no choice but to become fluent in it! I'm actually pretty excited about that. Sure my base Spanish is from Spain and people will think I'm crazy for my thhhh sounding c's but whatevs. I'm sure I'll grow out of it though. Maybe. Although I really like the Spain accent so maybe I'll be a rebel and try to keep it or something. I've been doing duolingo to try and get me started. 18% fluent guys! That's not very accurate. My friend Aldus is on a Spanish speaking mission right now. He was about that "fluent" when he left and he said he didn't honestly feel that fluent till he had almost left the MTC. So I guess we'll see how I fare once I get there. It does help to be immersed in it though and be constantly hearing it. I know my time in Spain helped my Spanish immensely. Sure I couldn't really talk but my understanding was way better!

But really over all I'm excited to meet new people! It's going to be such an amazing experience to be able to teach these families and learn about their way of life. I love learning and living and sharing a culture. I guess I should go spiritual. I am a future missionary and all. As my friend pointed out when I used the word "hella" in a joking manner. Whoops!

I truly am excited to teach the Guatemalan people how much Heavenly Father and the Savior loves them. I'm excited to teach them about eternal families. (probably the strongest part of my testimony) I'm excited to teach them about the plan of salvation and the atonement and pretty much just everything! I'm excited to share my love and understanding of the gospel. I know it's going to be really hard. But I figure I have so many people who care about me backing me up. If I ever feel like I'm failing I have people there to support me. And in turn I hope I'll be able to support and love people in the same way while I'm out there. 

My life may have taken an extremely different path than most but I'm glad it did. It's prepped me in so many ways. If I were to have just gone straight off on a mission as soon as I turned 19 I don't think I would have been ready. Spain helped me in incomprehensible ways. It made me more confident and sure of myself. It made me more decisive. It helped me realize I can be away from my family for extended periods of time. All in all it made me not scared to do things anymore. 

Me getting back just in time to be there for Mom's cancer and being able to take care of the baby. That was pretty horrible but I was able to be there for my family and it helped me understand and be able to relate to those who have or are going through similar experiences. 

And as for my summer adventures they taught me that I can still have fun in my life. I don't have to be stuck. I did so many things this summer. I went to Washington, I lived in Utah, I went to Idaho, I went on a cross country road trip twice, I went to Spain, and saw so many things! I have a weird irrational fear that once I go on my mission and come back I'll have to face reality and get a job and go to school. While that may be true, this summer taught me that I can have fun while doing it. I worked this summer and was still able to do all these amazing things! So why shouldn't I be able to do the same when I get back?

Overall though I think the past year has taught me that I have control over my life and I don't have to be scared of the unforeseeable consequences because I know in the end everything will work out. Everything happens for a purpose. All of these things happened I think to prep me for a mission and everything else that's coming in my future. I honestly currently don't know why the Lord is sending me to Guatemala. I only know that everything happens for a purpose and the reason I'm being sent there is to fulfill that unknown purpose.

Life is about looking at the big picture. Too often do we focus on the small insignificant things. We judge and criticize, we get insecure, we hold grudges, we speak unkindly, and so many other things. That's what makes us human. That's the natural man.  As my Grandpa Judd used to say, "The lord looks on the heart." And if we remember that when thinking about ourselves and others I think the world would be better. I think we would be more understanding. I'd like to think that we're all trying our best. Despite trying our best we have to struggle with the natural man to be our best. And I think that's what it means when God looks on the heart. He sees our intentions and our desire to be our best. And we should try to do the same with those around us.

Why focus on the little when we can focus on the grand! We're all people. Most of us love life. We all in someway love each other. And we are all trying our best! And I think that's all that should matter.

There was that spiritually enough for you? I think so. Now my dear people I want you to know when I go on my mission I intend to stay me. Some of you may know what I'm talking about others not so much. I'm going to keep my individuality. I'm going to continue being myself. I'm going to still have my love of music, I'm still going to love little kids, I'm still going to love my reading, and my knitting, and my nerdy anime, and I'm still going to love my family. I'm still going to have my likes and dislikes. And I ABSOLUTELY refuse to pick up that horribly obnoxious teaching dialect most missionaries somehow have. I think you guys know what I'm talking about.

I refuse to conform to the mold. I still want to be me. I know I can't indulge really in those likes but I'm still going to talk about them and keep them as part of who I am. I don't know if this makes any sense. Part of the reason I initially didn't want to serve a mission is because I thought I would lose who I am. I've met so many missionaries who have no personality. You know nothing about them. They're just missionaries. Does that make sense? I refuse to become that. And hopefully with that determination I can still be a person. I can have my personality. I can be me and not just another missionary. And hopefully while still being me, I can be the best missionary I can be.

Well now that I'm done waxing philosophical I must say adios. Lastly I shall say that I'm excited for this opportunity to be a missionary. I'm excited to go to Guatemala and meet and teach new people. I'm excited to experience and live in a new culture. And I'm excited to see what the future brings. Till next time! 

The Fun Kid Filled Life That Is Mine

 Well my life has recently been entirely consumed by taking care of little youngins. Whether it be my own siblings or the two cute little kids that I Nanny. 

I feel like I've been pretty productive these past couple weeks though. I went on a play date/hike thing with my friend Jane and her kids at Huntley Meadows. That place is seriously so beautiful. It's a beautiful lake (really swamp) with a gorgeous forest leading up to it. And my favorite part is that it just kind of appears out of nowhere. It's surrounded by houses and building galore but when you're there all you can see is the nature. It's a cool place. If anyone ever wants to come visit I'll take you.

I cut up a watermelon which was devoured within the hour. Norman especially liked it. 

And I had my weekly Sunday doodles. This one was my favorite of this particular Sunday's adventures. (I know I'm horrible for drawing during church)

More adventures with chilluns. The National Coast Guard was giving free tours on their Tall Ship that they train their recruits on. So that was pretty cool. 

As a kid I thought it would be fun to be a pirate or a sailor and then I read about the rigorous physical exertion it takes to sail a ship and I gave up on that dream. I've always been lazy I guess. 

I had an old lady ask if all the kids were mine. That was awkward. As it usually is. But do I look like I could have six kids? I've been told I look old for my age before but I don't look that old do I?! Anyway that was fun. I ran into some families from the ward and they all commented how brave I was on bringing so many kids with me. Sometimes I think about how it should be hard but it's just my everyday life. It really doesn't feel any different. If anything it's easier because it's not our full 9. Perks of growing up in an insanely large family. You all should consider doing it sometime. It's fun. ;)

More play dates at the park. Jane and Nora are besties and it's seriously the cutest thing in the world. 

Then the weekend came and me and Townsend took a mini road trip down to VA Beach. That was amazing! We stayed with our good friends the Jones' in their awesome new house and just spent the weekend with them.

We went to the beach. Obvi. I think someday I want to live by the ocean. I've probably said that before but I don't care. I love it. It makes me happy. I've always lived by water and I can't imagine my life without it. Plus I'd get freaking tan and that's worth the skin cancer right? 

While I was searching for parking at the beach we saw a parade of clowns and one of them tipped his hat at me. That was a new experience. I don't know how to feel about it. Townsend was like, "He was probably really cute under all that makeup." But guys he was in a clown costume. I feel like that's gotta tell you something about a person. Right? 

After the beach we went to a youth dance. I "chaperoned" which was really weird. It turns out stake dances are SUPER awkward and I just never noticed. All those little munchkins just don't know what to do with themselves! Townsend got himself a flock of ladies by the end so that was fun to watch.  

Sunday after first hour of church (and a little pokemoning) we headed back home. Townsend is a wimp and can't drive more than 1 1/2 hours before starting to feel sleepy. So I drove all the way there and most of the way back. Good times. 

As soon as we got home I helped mom make cream puffs and then we went to my friend Jane's Great NOVA Bake Off. A spin off party of  The Great British Bake Off if any of you people have seen that show. There was so many yummy desserts. I was in heaven! And guess what?! Me and mom got Star Baker! Meaning we won! (for those of you who have never seen the show) It was a really fun party and I got new books to read from the lovely hosts so that always adds to the excitement. Well for a nerd like me anyway.  

Anyway that's been my life. Today I dropped Mom, Dad, and the babes off at the Airport. They're going to Costa Rica and I'm stuck being mom for 10 days. Joan-Claire even said, "Marley? When mom and dad leave will you be our new mother?" So yeah Mama Marley is here and it's gonna be a party! So watch out! 

And last news of all I was told by both the Stake Pres. and the Bishop that my Mission Call has been sent so I should be getting it anytime this week! Crazy stuff man! I'm so nervous! I've been having the weirdest anxiety over it. And I'm not an anxious person. Anyway stay tuned! Hopefully it's I go somewhere awesome! 

Till next time!