Elder Young with other Elders after singing in a Christmas devotional

The Elders Elder Young sang with for a Christmas number at the devotional

Week 24:Christmas in Racana

Was it really Christmas? Ever day feels the same in Racana and it was a bit of a shock to not feel much different on Christmas day. 

Monday: we sang Christmas songs in the park, then acted out the Nativity scene. I got the part of reading it all in a loud voice in front of the huge Spanish audience. We made the news here in Momostenango, so a bunch of people got to hear me reading Mathew 2 in Spanish as the other missionaries acted it out. Contiere Utz Pin Pin (It was all good good butterfly; as the people say here)

Tuesday: We contacted a whole family who agreed to baptism in one month. I taught the whole lesson in Quiche. Great experience. We went back again (they live about 1 hour walk from the capilla), and she said she didn't think she could walk to church. We'll work with her more this next week.

 

Wednesday: We trekked up to Xesecleck (a 2 hour walk from the chapel) and found some new investigators and people to talk to for later days. 

Thursday: We found some people out in ChiHernandez (1 hour in a half away) who might be positive. 

Friday: We contacted a local catholic leader of a big church. there are about 15 churches in between our capilla and the central (about a 30 minute walk), so its difficult to get people to hear us because church is SOOOOO POLITICAL here. church is all these people have and their pastour is their neighbor and everyone has a grandpa that built the church they go to. If you metnion the name of the church they will proudly tell you that. 

Saturday: We had two baptisms: The two were jovens from two part member families. Pictures will probably be tomorrow. The water was cold, and it was Christmas Eve. As I entered the water, I felt like I entered a new world. To see the light shimmer across the transparent basin was to see a glimpse of heaven, and to baptize another in that water was to enter heaven's doors, if only for a second or two. 

Sunday: Three investigators showed up. The piano and the radio broke so I had to direct the hymns acapella. But everyone stopped signing so I was the only one haha. I sang all four hymns like that. I think the people thought it was a musical number or something but no haha. just hymns

Vamos a skypiar hoy, estoy emociado!

I don't have anything important to say. Only that life is a fancy fabric continually unraveling, and I imagine we'll only be able to see the grandeur of the complete tapestry from a bird's eye view: that's why we should hand over the tapestry needle to God, He's got a better view up there anyhow.

Adious, photos otro dia

Week 23:Miracles

This week was full of little miracles. On Saturday, I made a list of everything I could improve on in obedience and I tried my best this week to be exactly obedient to every rule. We taught over twenty lessons, found four families and many new investigators all with returning dates. 

A whole family of 5 committed to baptism for next month, a leader of a local church loved our message of Joseph Smith and accepted The Book of Mormon with his family present, a notorious drunk man turned his life around and completely stopped drinking and a lady who hasn't attended church in 30 years agreed to come back all in one week. Her case especially was a miracle. We left exactly 1 hour after lunch to be obedient to the rule and we found her right outside talking to a member. We taught a lesson about the temples and she said she felt like she needed and wanted to come back the next week. 

With all these new investigators and families surely this area with see some success eventually. 

Elder Young

Week 22:A Pair of Glasses

This week has been very rewarding, yet difficult. With the broken road and two visits to Quezaltenango, (my companion was mauled by a dog and had to receive several vaccinations) we've learned more about how to manage our time more effectively. We are going to have two baptisms on the 24th which is very exciting. Both of these fechas come from inactive families that have reactivated after a couple of visits, and now they want their children to be baptized.

 There was also another man that we visited who finally came to church again after a year in a half of inactivity. While we were in our discussion, I asked him what his biggest obstacle was. He mentioned that the only thing in the way from him getting to church was his inability to see the road. I happened to have some cheap prescription glasses with me and I asked if they would help him see. They were the perfect prescription. Now he says he can come every Sunday, and he has ever since. We made sure that his commitment was to God and not the glasses and happily agreed. It was wonderful to see the members of the ward gather round him when he showed up in the chapel after years of inactivity. It only took a testimony about the power of assisting church and some cheap glasses to help a man see his own way back to eternal life. He was welcomed and embraced by all his fellow brethren. He and five other investigators showed up. It was a great Sabbath. 

We're excited for more families to return from vacation, and we are constantly finding new places to contact! This area will have an opportunity to hear the gospel. 

Elder Young

Week 21 A Rewarding week in Racana!

This week has been very rewarding! We had an amazing lesson with an investigator family immediately following the interviews. After I taught a part of the lesson, we felt the spirit so powerfully. I stopped and asked them how they felt and if they wanted the feeling we felt that moment to be with them throughout their lives. They whole family said yes! and agreed to allow us to meet again. I'm so thankful for the clarity and power that comes from the spirit when we bare testimony of truth. 

I can feel the Spirit testifying with me and lifting me up. I know with all my heart that the gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ has atoned for all of our sins and that He is the only way to peace and happiness in this life. I've FELT that peace and happiness: it radiates in my soul, and I love the opportunity I have to share it with others. This week has been so amazing! I'm so grateful for the gospel!

Also, we found two more people who COMMITTED TO BAPTISM just yesterday, and another family is close to baptism as well! God knows all and He watches over all His children in wisdom and love. I know that for sure.

Elder Young

Week 20:Elder Blake Young

This week has been very stretching. The main road in Racana has been shut down so we've been doing everything on foot, but this has helped us realize even more the importance of talking to everyone you see. We have a couple of new investigators and fechas, and we're still excited for two of our investigator families to come back in December.. We have one part member family that might convert and we've found some others who show great signs of positivity. I feel like I'm finally beginning to understand the atonement. I'm just beginning to realize the importance of the Sacrament and the role it plays in our renewal and spiritual rebirth. 

Elder Valdarrago is amazing. He's a great missionary with a wonderful spirit and heart; a wonderful companion and a joy to be around. The calling to be a trainer is actually a calling to humbly learn if we use it right. This area is life changing and the people here are humble, and charitable. I've come to understand that any discomfort we feel in this life comes from an incorrect application or understanding of the Doctorine of Christ. The experiences and wisdom I've gained are worth their weight in gold. Every day we are finding more people, the challenge recently has been helping them keep their goals. I'm continually learning about how I personally can closen my relationship with, and rely on the Atonement of the Savior more in my life. Eternal Salvation is the ultimate goal and I'm grateful for all the time I've been allotted to work to achieve it and help others along the way. 

Elder Young

Week 19:Blake in Guatemala with new companion and is still working hard in Racana

Some Guatemalan food

ELder Valdarago was a good chef. 

Week 18:Elder Young is Staying in Racana and Training

This week's scripture study has left me with an unexplainably liberating yet haunting truth: The only thing in the way of this area's success (and inadvertently my progression) is my own willingness to constantly change. I've concluded that God is always willing to transform us into better mediums if we would but humbly surrender to every last ember of his refining fire. I've learned that I am but a clogged instrument that God is ever trying to clean in order to more effectively pour out his innumerable blessings upon His people. I have two years to maximize myself, and therefore disobedience is useless. Man's potential, therefore, is as limitless as his willingness to repent. Much in the same way that those who partake of His bread shall never perish, those who use God's grace as fuel will never grow weary. I'm going to focus all my energy on repenting and obedience this week and throughout the mission.

Two of our most positive investigator families and people left for Guatemala and Mositenongo Sochi. They said they'd take all the lessons and it's very likely they'll get baptized or will be members when they return in a couple of months. We found two large families that I hope with all my heart will come to church soon. Also, we found another area to contact in. The people there were very rude at first, but they are starting to warm up. This area is opening up, even with many families vacationing away, there are still many possible candidates for baptism. The only thing in the way will be my ineffectiveness as a missionary. There are people prepared; I'm sure of it. I'm focusing this week and change on being prepared for them. 

Elder Young

Racana scenery

Is that Ice Cream in Racana?

The grossest turkey I've ever seen in my life. 

Talking with a the local blind man. We became good friends. He spoke about being the first member of the church in that area. He has a great conversion story and is the most active member of that branch. 

Cute Children, grandsons of the blind man (Don Thomas)

Looks like you are a good cook Elder Young!

The Trails Elder Young walks in Racana

Lots of scenery pictures because they walk in the mountains all day long- every day

Bunnies

Elder Hawkins

It looks like a home made from dirt

More Children

Some Racana Sunsets

Wood we found out in the mountains about a 40 minute walk from our house. We had to hurry to get back before we got lost in the dark. 

Zone conference. My first one. 

Elder Young

Momostenango on Pday getting a ice cream. I asked if it was sanitary water. They couldn't give me a straight answer. 

They find little animals along the way as they walk and walk and walk

Yep- that big tall shadow could only belong to Blake!

It makes mom happy to see that he has a yummy treat!

Outside of one of the houses of the people we later baptized. 

Blake is 6'6 with shoes on so those are some very tall fields of corn!

Enjoying the Journey!

A member family. 

SWEET! Look how tall they are compared to the locals

The tuk tuks. 

The momos stake center. Where we had our activities and Blake played piano all the time on pDAY.