How You Doing Girl!?

Bien. Gracias! Y Usted? I've had several moments this week where I just think, "what the heck is my life?"Never did I imagine that I'd be in Guatemala learning a different language and just seeing and experiencing all the random things I see and do everyday. Por ejemplo, I'm more or less certain one of the volcanoes exploded this week. There's been little bits of ash floating around the past 2 days and the sky has been weirdly cloudy. Like not normal cloudy. If I die of lung cancer we all know why. I also saw a taxidermized baby horse the other day that people were paying to let their children sit on and take pictures. That was interesting. Oh and I had a meeting in the back of a pickup truck. That was a first. And I saw a stream of blood leading to a lady that had been hit by a car. That was also a first and let's just say I've been a lot more careful about crossing the street lately. People do not know how to drive here. Anyway you get the point. My life is weird and full of fun adventures! 

This week I've been learning that the gospel is for everyone. Duh. But it's really been hitting me. In personal study and as we go about teaching people throughout the day. My new comp, Hna Avilez, is really good about going up to people in the street and just talking, loving, and sharing with them. The gospel is for the bolito in the street that tries to kiss me, it's for the mom with the baby in her sling, it's for the crazy lady yelling at us from the corner, it's for every single person in this world. It says in 2 Nephi 26:24 "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation."It's for everyone. No one is not invited. So my challenge to you people is be a light to someone. Literally anyone. You don't have to be all churchy on them but just love the person. Because that is the center of the gospel. Loving people and having the pure love of Christ. 

Wow. Did I get my point across?

Anyway that's my spiritual thought of the day. In other news I have the best family on the planet. I got my first package this week and it literally made my day, week, life. Anyway...sorry there's not really any photos this week. I kind of forgot. You know me living in the moment. But you can enjoy a selfie of me (only because I thought my hair was cute) and a photo of my comp straightening her hair. Fin de historia. 

Love you people! Till next time!   

Pelo de Oro

Legit have been told that like 10000 times this week. But hey it's nice to know I have golden hair. A.K.A. I stand out. Also I would like to state a quote, from an elder in my district, "She straight up got orangatang arms!" Like thank you elder. Not my fault you got dinosaur arms. Nah but I thought it was hilarious and that maybe you peeps would think so too. The things that are said when you're a very tall blond american in a land of shorties. 

Anyway this week was conference and it was AMAZING! To me conference had 3 main themes. Families, Love, and the Holy Ghost (revelation). And you know what I love that that's what the themes were. These 3 themes have been some crazy influences on my life. Family is obvious. I have a very large one and I'm very close to all of my family members. I feel the importance of being close to them and learning from them and I loved that that's what was focused on. Love. The reason I'm here is to love people and I feel like it re-confirmed my reason for coming out here on the mission. Lastly the Holy Ghost and Revelation. Becuase of revelation I have my freakishly large loving fam, becuase of it I'm here on the mish, I went to spain, I did all the amazing things in my life that I consider blessings, becuase of revelation. 

So my hope is that you people will recognize the importance of these three things and study them. Also if you haven't seen conference, WATCH IT! It's amazing and truly divinely inspired. 

Anyway my comp died. Fin de mision. And now I have a new comp from Honduras. She's really cool and nice and I'm excited to teach and love people with her. 

Anway be a people of love! Peace out! Till next time! 

Hermana Judd

The Beauty of Smiling and Being Happy

This week I've decided to try to smile more. And in doing so my I've been finding joy in more things. Simple things. I petted a puppy, I saw a toucan, I saw baby chicks, I listened to a Marimba performance, helped an old lady cross the street (like the movies), and so many other things that just made my day. So spiritualness of the day!!!!! Smile more! You'll feel happier. You'll feel more love for people and everything. And life will just be better. 

And now for a funny story. This week we went out knocking doors. Like a missionary does. One man opens the window to the door and we start teaching him. He then stops us. Tells us we need to have Jesus in our hearts and if not we are going to hell. Then he opens the door, places his hands on our shoulders, and starts to "bless" us. He's like, "please bless these jovencitas that they will learn from their wicked ways and learn to accept the lord in their hearts. Please soften their hearts, senor." On and on. Literally the funniest thing ever. I was trying the entire time not to laugh. But my comp was pissed by it. And that made it even funnier. Oh good times. But in case you were wondering I'm wicked and need to repent. Sorry people. Didn't mean to disappoint anyone. 

Anyway thanks people! Love you! That's all for now! 

The Great Thing About Mothers

Mothers are the freaking best. I love that I have the support of my beautiful practically perfect  mother far away in los estados. I miss her a ton and I love how much she still takes care of me even when I'm far away. 

But I also found my Mama Strama. Se llama Mama Miriam. She isn't a member but her daughter is. And we teach her and her other children quite often. Because I love her. I was sick this week and she just took care of me. Gave me medicine. Told me to keep warm. Feeds me all the time. She calls me her "Nena" and it's legit the cutest. 

And thinking of mothers this week I've been thinking about all the other mother figures in my life and just how grateful I am for their support and love throughout my entire life. 

Anyway onto other things......this week we visited the temple with our investigator, Alex. This kid is literally the best! He has such a strong desire to learn about the gospel. And he's just hilarious. Pics include him with his "Posse" and I just love him. His baptism should be sometime this next month. So stay posted. But I love this kid. And I've been in a very loving mood lately. So sorry if this email is a little gushy. 

Love you people! Till next time! 

Shaking a Hand and My B-Day

This week was amazing. President Cook of the 12 Apostles came and talked to my mission and like 4 other missions that are here in Guatemala. He talked about the importance of having mighty prayer. That when we have mighty prayer the lord is more likely to give us what we ask. Because we're more sincere and earnest. It was beautiful and made me cry. But you know me. I cry about everything. It was a wake up call that I need to really work on my prayers. 

He also shook my hand and I've now shaken 3 apostles hands. So that was cool. And I love hearing these people in real life. Becuase they're real. Like this was something funny. "I want my words to have impact,"then a plane goes by overhead and it's freaking loud! and then he's like,  "I want my words to have impact but not that kind of impact.""So funny. 

Anyway my birthday was cool. I got 3 cakes! And the elders threw me a surprise party with cake, pinata, and everything. It was amazing and made me super happy. To say the least it was a really good bday. 

Enjoy the pics my people. Till next time! 

Oh and P-Day's are changing from Monday to Wednesday! So look forward to Wednesday!​

I'm Old!

Today is my b-day! I'm 20! I'm old! It's only the beginning of the day so I don't know yet what is to happen. So the next week will be full of pictures, and updates, and good stuff. 

This week though we had a Reunion de los Nuevos. Look at all those gringos! And look how gigantic I am. That was an interesting wake up call to see how I've been progressing over the past couple weeks. And it turns out it's a lot! Thank goodness. 

As for spiritual stuff this week I've learned how important it is to have faith. Sometimes we think God will give us blessings. But this week I've been reading in the BoM and the Bible about Jesus and his miracles. And often times he would leave a city because he couldn't perform miracles because of the lack of faith of the people. That was an insane discovery! Jesus, JESUS!, could not perform miracles because the people didn't believe. It depends on us. All on us. If we want to recieve miracles, blessings, revelations, etc we need to have faith we will recieve. 

I have like no time left, my ZL is kicking me off, but just know I love you people! 

Till next time! 

Drunk People Are My Best Friends!

In case you were wondering. They always try to talk to me and exhaust all their English on me. Even if the only word they know is "what" or "hello" It's fun. Last week I had one try to kiss me. And the other day one tried to teach me Spanish, "Hola significa......uh......Hola." or "Como estas significa.....como estas" It's like thank you so much for that great Spanish lesson my dear sir. 

Anyway for spiritualness. This week we had Stake Conference! And the theme was pretty much Family. And I love how family is so important to the people here, Without family many people wouldn't have a place to live or food to eat. And they just need families. And in some ways I wish that we could all appreciate and love and need our families the same way that the people here do. Not in the poverty sense but the emotional support sense. 

There's a family in our ward that is like 5 different families in one house. It's a big house but still pretty crowded. But what I love is that the cousins are like siblings. Or more like best friends! I just love it! They love each other. They hang and play together. And someday in the way future I want my family to be that close. To all be best friends with each other. And to get their emotional support from their family. Because what better place to get that support! 

So if you need help! Go to family! If you have family that needs support! Be that support! Family is the freaking best! Or as they say here the fetching best. Ugh I hate that word so much. It's really funny to hear the latinos say it though. 

Anyway there's that. Also funny story. This week we visited a crazy old lady who lives in the ward. She's like "Hermanas would you like to eat anything? Melon? Banana?" I'm like I'll take some Melon. So then she walks out of the kitchen with a small plate, a knife, and a full on honeydew melon. And just places it on my lap and expects me to cut it and eat it then and there. So I'm like uhhhh......okay. Thank you Hermana. So then I start to cut it right? And this lady is talking non-stop and then she just stops talking and like is hard core judging how I'm cutting this melon ON MY LAP and just making judgemental noises the whole time. And she'd resume talking but then stop again to judge my cutting skills, and she did this multiple times. It was so funny and so horrible and so crazy! I don't know if you people understood that. But whatever. Good times. 

Anyway that's it for now. Till next time! 

Keeping Up With Tradition

By eating Kraft Mac and Cheese on a Sunday! It makes me unrealistically happy. And probably only my family knows why! 

In other news I had my first baptism! That was an amazing experience! The spirit was so strong during the baptism but my favorite part was when he was confirmed. You could see how afterwards he looked so at peace. I love the holy ghost and what it can do for us. The fact that it's a comforter, a guide, and a messenger truly is incredible. And I love that by relying on it I'm relying on the lord. Especially here on the mission. Cause dang mission life is hard. It's great. But it's hard. I'm not going to lie. It's worth it though. The people I've been able to meet and love and be loved by is truly incredible. I'm looking forward to the rest of the mission to see who else I'll meet. 

Anyway there's your spiritual bit. I have something cool to tell you. I saw goats roaming the streets a couple days ago. And not just that their herder was following behind yelling, "Leche! Leche!" and it turns out if you want goat milk all you have to do is go up to him, pay him, and he'll milk a goat right then and there for you. Talk about fresh. 

Also compare me to the other gringo that baptized our investigator. Aren't I tan? And I've only been here for almost 3 months. And this kid has been here for 8. Legit though what am I going to look like at the end of the mission. I'll be a true Chapina that's what. 

Anyway that's all I've got for you people today! Till next time! 

Loving People and Being Loved

This week was quite eventful! I was sick on Wednesday and Thursday. Like my stomache was dying. but I made it through and because of it I realized how loving the people of Guatemala are. I had an old lady come and take care of me. And afterwards I had tons of people thorughout the week ask how I was doing and giving me ton of health suggestions. So that was cool. And I just felt really loved. and then on Friday we went to a Quinceañera and like I couldn't participate in the dancing because I'm a missionary, but just watching the festivities made me so happy. I love seeing people be happy and have joy and seeing it gives me joy. I just had so much love this week! 

In other news I torteared! That was cool. One of our investigators owns a tortillaria and it was so awesome that they let me try. Anyway that was pretty much my week. Oh and we had a photoshoot with the youth who loves us. So that was cool. Anyway I love you people! Till next time! 

Hermana Judd

Covetous Lady of Norway

That's the kind of name you find when you do family history work. So that's freaking awesome. This week during our interviews with the President of the mission his wife taught us about the importance of family history work and how important it is to bring those names to the temple. So they can also recieve the amazing blessings of the temple. 

Speaking of the temple this week we took one of our investigators, his son, his girlfriend (member), and her daughter to the temple. It was a really amazing experience. As the Sisters of the temple taught about the plan of salvation I just imagined this to be family being together forever. And I of course started crying. But I just had so much appreciation for the love from our heavenly father and how much he wants us to be happy. So he made a way for us to be together as a fam forever. I know that I get a lot of joy from that. And I love that other people are also able to receive that same joy. 

Anyway in short I'm grateful for the temple and what a great blessing it is for me, for my family, and for my family who've died and that we can all be together forever. 

They're kicking me off. Entonces till next time! 

Hermana Judd

I'm Going To Be Fat Fat Fat

And what am I supposed to do about that? 

Literally though I swear I'm going to be a fatty when I get back. All I eat is bread, tortillas, rice, and beans. I feel so healthy. 

Anyway I would like it to be known that the verb Tortear means to make tortillas and I think it's awesome. I wish the english language had a verb for making tortillas. Çause it's chill. 

Also you know that the mission is influenced by Utah Mormons because literally every single missionary says Fetch and it makes me laugh so hard. I'm going to withstand it though and never say it. 

Anyway now for spiriualness. This week we taught an old lady who had Alzeihmers and you knew half way through the lesson she didn't remember what we had taught. But it was cool to see that everytime we sang a hymn to see peace and joy come over her face. And you just knew she could feel the spirit in those moments. I love that the spirit can speak to us in more ways than one. It's special and unique for every single one us. I feel like it shows the individuality of each of us and how heavenly father knows those differences and speaks to us in ways we can understand. I dig it!  

Anyway as for pics I've included me, my comp, and Hysel. (the youth that acopmanies us literally everywhere. I love her.) And then the view of the water volcano and fire volcano. Water isn't active but fire goes off practically everyday and it's cool to see the small little plumes everyday. 

Anyway I think that's pretty much all I've got for you guys. Till next time!

Camel Eyelashes

I wish I had them. It's seriously so dusty here and I'm not like all these blessed latinos with long luscious eyelashes. 

Anyway this week has been really interesting. I've tried more new things than I can count. Green mangoes, "coffee" It's burnt corn water and it's freaking disgusting, plantains, and so much more. 

The people in the ward are sweet as ever. I've been called an angel at least a couple times everyday. So that's nice.  I'm more impressed with the people in the area every day. Their faith and their willingness to serve is just incredible. 

As for the spiritual part of the letter. I'm really glad for the priesthood and the power it has to heal and comfort those in need, This week I met a family who's grandaughter had an emergency operation and was in pain, and the family didn't know how they were going to pay for it. But then the elders gave them a blessing and it was amazing to see the comfort that filled their faces. It's true that they still had a hard time afterward but to see the peace in their faces afterwards was amazing. It was a testament. And I won't lie and say I didn't cry. 

Anyway I'm going to tryb to resend those pics. 

I love you people. Till next time!