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! 

They Call Me Canchita!

Gringa, Hermanita, Hood, Jude, etc. I'm doomed to stand out. CCM- only girl. Here Im literally taller than everyone by at least a head...or two. But this week has also been really cool. I've met a ton of people who's names are all a blur. Hopefully I'll be able to remember them as time goes by. 

But I think what I want to focus this email on is how Impressed I am with the youth of Guatemala. Literally everyday we have at least one youth but usually a group of two or three come with us to knock on doors and teach people at our lessons. It makes me a little ashamed of myself as a youth. I wish I had gone out more with the missionaries. Entonces my youth of my church and other churches go out with your missionaries. You're testimonies can help so many people. You're a good example of what life can be with the gospel. I know school is important, I know sports are important, and work, and all those other things, but teaching people is also important. In fact it's one of the most important. So don't set it aside and leave it for someone else. You do it! 

Anyway Guatemala is crazy! People drive like freaking maniacs. The food is ok. I've eaten a crap load of tortillas. And I've seen real poverty. Dirt floors, tin roofs, and so much more. I don't know why we even complain in the states. Well I need to go! I'm being kicked off! But know I love you guys and I miss you all! 

Enjoy all the pics from the mtc! I don't really have time to explain them all but you can just look and enjoy and not really care. The one with all the boys is my district at the CCM. Any way CIAO!

Till next time!