We found out afterwards we were to NEVER eat anything off the street

EMAIL:  Saturday, August 25, 2012 10:03 AM  Guatemala MTC

Dear Family& Friends,

So this week has been really amazing. First of all, I want to thank you mom, dad, emilie, and riley and everyone else for fasting for me and nick. I received the blessing I really needed. I said last week that I am a terrible leader. That is still true, but I am a better, more organized, more effective leader than I was before, and I feel a lot better about how I am leaving the district today. I asked the district what I can do to be a better leader, and they said to use the bigger hammer! Ha ha ha. We call it the “hammer of justice”, and so I have been more decisive and assertive in sustaining the rules that our district has set. And it has been working out a lot better! I know that was a direct result of your guy}s prayers and it started Sunday night. So thank you so much for that. I know it was because of you guys that all this happened.

 

Just to let you know mom, yes I got yours and dad}s dear elders this week, and I just got letter number one from you, and Grandma Cindy{s letter with the picture of Declo two days ago. We get Dear Elders every wednesday and other letters (real letters as we call them) whenever they show up. It looks like that is a week and a half after they are sent. But yes, I have been receiving your guy}s letters, and I really appreciate all of them. I don}t get the most letters anymore, but I am still high up there. There is one missionary that hasn}t recieved any Dear Elders or Real Letters yet here in Guatemala. If you won{t mind, I think he would like to get a letter from you guys. His name is Elder Jasperson, and he is a really good guy. He{s from the LA area, and is a really cool, helpful guy.

So this week we got a new group of Nortes and Latinos. So we are viejos now. Lol. The day before, we went to the market and learned to barter and buy things. The market looked like a gutted Walmart or department store (you could see tiles on the ground) with three levels, crammed full with booths and stores. The hallways are super tiny they are so full! I bought a little hackey sack and nearly bought a sweater, but I think the price was still a little high so I decided to wait. Everyone here thinks that Nortes are loaded so they try to charge you 300 percent of what it normally costs. So we got to barter our guts out. Ha ha ha. 

During that trip, we went to the main plaza with the fountain, Guatemalan White House and The Catholic cathedral are up in Zone 1. I think it is all in my mission. but in any case, we went there, fed the pidgeons, took TONS of pictures, and this member we met bought us all ice cream. We found out afterwards we were to NEVER eat anything off the street, especially if it wasn{t wrapped up. But the ice cream was really good! Ha ha ha. Didn{t get sick from it.

 

Although, Elder Stuart was really sick this week. He was pretty much out all of Wednesday. He had a stomach ache like I did, and Sister Nicolayson told him to sleep it off. He slept like 17 hours and I brought him bananas and bread, and now he}s good as new! Ha ha ha. I think he got sick because of a curse, because I was sick the same way and both of us were sick when PANINIS were being served for dinner. So I call it the Panini curse. Ha ha ha.

 

Well, I head out in about two and a half weeks, so in about a week}s time, start sending letters to the mission home. When the old viejos left this week, they received a whole bunch of letters here at the CCM after they already left. So better safe than sorry.

 

Well, the spiritual thought for the week: This week I have been studying the Holy Ghost like crazy. Every day, I have been studying a little part of Chapter 4 of Preach my Gospel, and I have learned so much. I have been trying to apply an idea from a talk Elder Bednar gave at the MTC. He said to study the doctrine, not the applications or even the principles. These are important too, but if we first understand the doctrine in our hearts and minds, the principles and applications will follow. Applications by themselves don}t work. Gimmicky reasons phrases or explanations do not get Home Teaching done, do not convert people, or provide lasting changes. Only the doctrine can do that.  So before you start teaching the R}s of repentance or the Example of the bicycle for the atonement, make sure you understand the doctrine.  So that is what I have been doing with the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost.  I haven}t been asking, What can I do to invite the Holy Ghost, or how do I know what it feels like. Rather, I have been asking, what IS the Holy Ghost. What is his purpose. How does he communicate with mankind. What is the difference between the power and gift of the Holy Ghost, how does Prayer invite the Holy Ghost, etc... And I am starting to develop and understanding I never imagined, and I have been filled with the desire to change my thoughts, words and actions to invite the Spirit more and be guided by it more often.

 

Well, I gotta go soon. thank you so much for all the support you guys give me. I would love to hear from some friends. I love hearing about their lives. And Kylee, you will be hearing from me as soon as I get the chance to write you a letter. I can{t believe you didn}t let me know before my mom. Lol.

 

Love Elder Welker