WE HAD A HALF-WAY MEETING WITH PRES. STEIMLE

"Each of you need to ask for God’s help – his angels will be with you.  The greatest blessings always come when you think you can't do anymore, but you do anyway.  Forget yourself and help other people.  Have the desire to serve other people:  that will ensure your success."

Pres. Steimle

August 31, 2011  transcript of handwritten letter

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have 30 minutes until dinner and the end of P-day!  I don’t have a lot to say.  I just got back from the temple.  The sessions are always good.  It’s fun to be able to go with my zone.  I really love my district and the other district in my zone.

                I am learning lots of good things here.  I feel like everyone in my district has a part to play.  They’ve definitely had an influence on me.  Only 3 weeks more here and then I’ll be heading for Nicaragua. 

                I am struggling with speaking Spanish.  My companion doesn’t want to speak Spanish ever.  So…she doesn’t like it when I speak Spanish.  That’s pretty frustrating. But I can speak Spanish. 

                I am so grateful that I get to be in Guatemala and at the CCM.  The CCM is fantastic.  It’s so small and tight.  We get to meet with the President once or twice a week as a zone.  He reads the (short) letters we write to him and makes comments.  Hna. Steimle and Hna Rogers know us all.  We had a “½ way” meeting with him – our zone.  He told us:  Speak Spanish!  Be sin verguenza!  Be a parrot and repeat things that your Latino friends say.  Your last day in the field, you should be studying some Spanish words.  Master your mission language skills in every way possible.  There are 1,000’s of people who have done this before.  Give it your all!  Be focused!  Each of you need to ask for God’s help – his angels will be with you.  The greatest blessings always come when you think you can't do anymore, but you do anyway.  Forget yourself and help other people.  Have the desire to serve other people:  that will ensure your success.   It's time for you to decide what kind of person you want to be.  It doesn’t matter if you’re the district leader or the one who comes to the door every once in a while for chocolates.  We love you all. :)

                Hna Murray and Hna. Hurst are both really sick.  I hope I don’t catch it.  Sometimes at the MTC, I feel like I’m in a prison – just because I’m inside a lot.  Whenever I walk to CRE or the temple or church I feel so free.  I want to run around and dance.  Most of the time, I restrain myself.

                I don’t think I told you about Elder Falabella comeing to the CCM.  We had a devotional.  He was way good and I was able to understand everything – or 85 to 90% if what he said.  He spoke slowly.  He told us there are 3 types of angels – according to the BD or GEE.  There are Spirits, Resurrected Beings, and Mortals.  He told us that many people will see us as angels, and we shouldn’t disappoint them –we should act like angels.  He told us a few small things that would help us be more successful.  D & C 64:33.  He told us this is a beautiful opportunity to become a better person.  Look for hard things to do so you can grow.  A good missionary overcomes all obstacles.

                -Get the husband in the family involved in the lessons so the whole family can be together.

                -Keep trying different methods until you succeed.  Like Alma – He tried a different route and was able to find a beautiful companion—Amulek.

                -Find the right person/member in your barrio to go teach with you.  Don’t have a lesson with a corpse present.  Have a lesson with a MEMBER present.

                -Don’t have shame to speak in Spanish.  You might not speak well, but SPEAK!  Do it anyway.

                -Use the LDM. It has the power to convert people by the Spirit. 

Every Sunday we watch church movies or firesides.  We also get taught by Pres. Steimle or Pres. Rogers.

I Love You!  Write me letters – but probably address them to Nicaragua!

Thanks for all your letters and emails, I love to read them!

Love, Marybeth

I got called to be the Music person for the CCM...Woo hoo!!

August 30, 2011  email

Marybeth Tew to Family

Thanks to everyone for the letters!  Since the new missionaries come tomorrow, today was kind of our Pday.  I love getting the emails and dear elders and the letters.  Mom I got both of your printed letters.  I´ve also gotten dear elders from Kevin.  Mom, can you send this to MK?  I have a lot to tell you just about today.  So many things happen here.

            Today we had a field trip and it was so fun!  We went to the relief map.  It´s a map of Guatemala and it´s outside.  You can look it up, I´m sure.  President Rogers who is the counselor in the MTC presidency told [showed?] us the area and he pointed out a lot of cool stuff.  Then we went to the Mercado Central.  That was awesome!  We saw lots and lots of things.  I guess that´s where you went with Kyle, Mom and Dad.  I bought a bag for 50 quetzales. Its very pretty and colorful.  Random not:  My hair is even curlier in Guatemala.  We saw lots of cuts of meat hanging, and beautiful flowers and baked goods, dresses, bracelets, earrings, all that cool stuff.  I just bought a bag.   After that we went to the Mall.  The modern mall.  We went to a museum that was attached and we ate lunch there too.  It was nice to get out of the MTC.  Yesterday and today all of the old Nortes and the Latinos left!   There is only our zone (two districts and 20 people) here.  And it is weird.  Hra. Wilkinson and I are the only ones in our hall!   

A few notes:

Dad thanks for your notes.  I love to read them over and over. I liked your signature line last week.  Spanish is cool. 

I am excited to hear more about Baby Tew!  I like to hear about your lives and Scotty and Adam and your branch, Doug and Dani.  Thanks for the advice as well.  I am seeing many miracles at the CCM, Dani :). 

Mom the Deck looks great and you do too!  I´m glad you had fun with the Binghams and I hope Sara feels better soon.

Something cool from last Sunday:  The counselor in our Branch Presidency, Hno. Barrios, spoke to us. The whole sacrament meeting I had been trying really hard to focus on what was being said, even when I couldn´t follow some parts of the talks.  But I still tried really hard to undestand, and I did understand quite a bit.  But....Hno. Barrios stood up and he talked about being focused.  He talked about three different times in the CCM when people were able to be focused on the important things and what happened to them.  He talked about Captain Moroni (if every man was like him... shaken...)  the people who heard the voice of the Lord in 3rd Nephi, and Joseph Smith who saw a column of light.  He told us that when we focus on the things that are really important, we are able to see a column of light too.  The cool thing, was that I knew exactly what he was talking about.  I was trying really hard to understand Spanish, and I was able to understand.  I felt like I was seeeing a column of light.

Also, Dani, I am very glad that you read Little House in the Big Woods.

I got called to be the Music person for the CCM.  That means that I have to get musical numbers and pianists and stuff.  Woo hoo!

We taught a real live person last Saturday at CRE.  Our teacher, Hna. Ayala 2 (she has a twin who teaches here too, named Hna. Ayaala 1) brought her cousin and her sister to the CRE house to be taught.  They are miembros menos activos. I´m not sure if that´s right.  But, we taught her cousin, Carlos.  We definitely felt the Spirit there. We talked about the sacrament, the covenants we made and now renew, and how we are blessed with the spirit when we take the sacrament.  He said he would go to church this Sunday.  It was fun becuase Hna. Ayala talked to us before we went and told us that teachers had referred their friends and family.  And that the teachers wanted their friends and family to be taught by good missionaries. Another companionship taught her sister.  That comanionship really struggles with Spanish, but its amazing that they can teach!!  Another companionship taught an investigator who works at the CRE house, cleaning. 

      This morning and yesterday morning at gym, it´s only our zone.  So, (almost) all of us played four square together.  It is really fun.  It really reminds me of playing ping pong with you, Paul. Some of the elders are super ridiculous, just like you when you play with me.  It makes me think of you ALL THE TIME!  

         But tomorrow it will get crazy again.  We are expected to speak a lot more Spanish these next three weeks.  So... I will be, I guess.  Sometimes I don´t try very hard, so I asked the people in my district to remind me to try harder to speak in Spanish.  Well, it´s time to go.  I´m not sure if I will have time to write a letter tomorrow or not.  Love you all thanks for your prayers and love and support and emails.  Love, Marybeth Tew

...yesterday I contacted people on the street. And I SURVIVED!

"It was kind of a reality check for my Spanish.  I came back never wanting to speak English again."

 "Before I came on my mission, in one of my classes with Dr. Marchant, I had a really strong feeling that my learning in special Ed had prepared me for my mission."

 

August 24  email

Hello Family

Thanks for your emails, Mom and Dad. I can receive Pouch mail.  I got two of your pouch letters last week, Mom.  They took a week to get here.  You must have sent them to SLC at just the right time.  I sent you a letter last week, and it left the MTC on Thursday, I beleive, so hopefully you'll get it soon.  Also, I´ll be sending a letter today.  I´ve already filled up a page.  Mom, thank you for activating my card.  If you get this email before 12:00, email me back if you know if I can use my debit card at the ATM.  Also, I need the address for the Indiana Indianapolis Mission.  If you don´t get this immeadiately, it´s no big deal.  Just email me the information for next week.  Also, I don´t remember what memory card I need.  I´ll let you know in the letter.  Also, I´m going to be emailing on Tuesday next week, I´m pretty sure.

Okay, now I´ll start on the real deal. 

Mom, I love the letter you sent by pouch.  Kevin, thanks for your Dear Elder.  Mary Katherine, thanks for your dear elder too.  I´m sending you a letter today to VA, so let me know what your new address is.  Also, can you tell me Regan Baker´s address?  Okay.  Kevin, congrats again on your paper.  I hope the presentation goes well in October (October right?)   Paul, congrats on the new job!  Dad, Happy birthday!  I hope it is a good one.  Mom I´m so glad that you are helping Sara Bingham.  I loved reading what you wrote in your letter.  It made em feel really good. Dad:  Eat off the red plate and imagine that I wrote something cool on your (rhubarb?) pie.  Mom, can you make sure to tell grandma my new address and also to thank her for her letters.  One other thing:  Can you send all my emails on to Mary Katherine and Grandma?  Gracias.   

       Well..... Some exciting things have happened.  Like yesterday I contacted people on the street.  And I SURVIVED!  Half the MTC (Our branch) went yesterday on a bus to a different part of the city.  It was actually in the Guatemala City South Mission, Kyle.  We all went with our Native companion and just talked to people on the street and got contact information.  Hra. Sanchez and I talked to lots of people.  She was very bold.  I didn´t talk very much, but I did talk one-on-one to this guy about the BoM or LdM.  It was hard to understand, but it´s amazing that I can understand enough to make it.  I can´t understand Hra Sanchez well at all.  There´s probably one other person that I understand less than she. Even when she tries to talk slow she doesn´t.  Haha.  Oh well.  :)   She´s been having some problems and that´s been difficult, especially since I can´t communicate with her.  I´ve been writing her notes and learning to say La Quiero Mucho.    Her Latina Companion, Hra. Sierra is really great.   Before I came on my mission, in one of my classes with Dr. Marchant, I had a really strong feeling that my learning in special Ed had prepared me for my mission.  I´ve definitely seen how helpful my classes have been.  I´ve been able to talk about touchy subjects in a tactful and kind way.  And I´ve learned how to write praise notes and give effective praise.  It was fun to ride on the bus.  There were so many people that when the bus was going up a hill it sounded like an airplane about to take off.  Except it was going about 7 mph.  It was fun to get out and talk and listen to people.  It was kind of a reality check for my Spanish.  I came back never wanting to speak English again. 

   Something cool happened this Sunday.   There were 6 talks and then a counselor in the Branch, Hro. Barrios, got up to talk.  He spoke about being focused and what could happen when we are focused.  He talked about three scriptures;  I´ll write about that in my letter.  Mom thanks for your note and the address.  I´m going to try to withdraw some money today  We´ll see if it works. Thanks for everything that you have done.  I love you all.  Please write me!   Sorry it´s short this week.  My letter talks about lots of things.  We´ve have had intense thunderstorms when the lights flicker and a few MINOR MINOR MINOR earthquakes.  You can barely notice them, but you feel the tremble.

Dad I like to hear a little politcial news.  Dad I love your letters about Minot and the stake and life in general.   Thanks for writing me.  I love you. 

    

 

I want to expand my vocabulary and fluency a LOT.

I’ve decided to only speak 50 words of English each day.

August 24, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD

Dear The Family,

                Thanks for your letters.  Mom – I think the mail usually comes Wed or Thursday night.  I got your 1^st letter (both parts) one week after you sent them.  So that’s pretty quick.  I loved all the news.  I loved seeing and hearing about the yard and your progress in the LDM.  I’ve started reading it for about 4 minutes every night right before I go to bed.  I never have enough time at night to write in my journal, my miracle book, get ready, and read LDM.  I have read your letter several times.  I got a DE from Kevin, Cheryl, and Mary Katherine.  I think those come on Tues, Wed or Th.

                We get new missionaries next Wednesday, so I think I’ll be emailing on Tuesday, since Wed will be crazy.  I’ll have to say bye to my Latino friends.  They will all be leaving.  I am understanding more.  I have a page full of new words.  I want to expand my vocabulary and fluency a LOT.  I’ve decided to only speak 50 words of English each day.  Hopefully, I can do it.  Sometimes it’s just hard to speak.  When I teach it’s a lot easier than everyday talking. In 3 weeks we are going to go contacting again, but this time with our North American companion.  That will be great.

                A few funnies:  Last Sunday we watched The Testaments.  We watched that 2 days before we left Provo too.  I sat by Hna. Murray both times.  Both times she “translated” for me.  Whenever they spoke Nephite, she would turn to me and say something silly in English or Spanish.  Last night, Elder Ormston started talking in Spanish with his lips over his teeth.  He got everyone to talk that way.  The best part was when he explained that he was talking that way “porque es chistoso” –if you try saying that you’ll think it’s funny too.

                Our teaching appointment with Hra Ayula (2) went pretty well.  Hna. Ayula 2 is our newer teacher.  She was on vacation when we got here.  Her twin also teaches at the MTC.  We taught her sister, Hna. Ayula (1) at CRE and now we are teaching her.  They are pretending to be the same investigator – Alejandra.  Our first lesson, with Hna Ayula 1 was okay.  But our 2^nd lesson, with Hna. Ayula 2 was a lot better. We talked about her son & what she was worried about.  We talked about how the church—and Primary-- would help her.  She said, well that’s why I go to my church, and I think that’s sufficient.  So, we talked about prophets, Christ, Apostasy, and Hna Wilkinson told her about Joseph Smith.  She read 15 verses of 1 Ne 1, and we asked her to read the rest of chap. 1 and also chap. 2.  We told her that it was about a family and how they were helped by God.  She’s going to pray too.  She won’t come to church because her boyfriend hates the church.  But she is going to talk to him about going to church.  We talked to her about faith and shared a scripture with her about God helping us when we have faith.  Hna Wilkinson and I really felt the Spirit.  It was good. We’ve been contacting people too.  Last week, we contacted 20 people.  We’ve only contacted 1 person this week, so we need to get on that!

                Right now, we’re hanging out with our former companions.  Hna W’s old companions and my old companions live together in the Casa de Huespedes, so we’re all hanging out together in a fort they made last night.  We’re the only 6 sisters that are staying for the next 3-4 weeks.  But we’ll be getting new sisters.

                Last night we had visitors from the Costa Rica Temple.  The couple is from Argentina, but they’re serving in Costa Rica.  They talked about their conversion, or their grandparents’ conversions.  Then Pres. Steimle read to us from his missionary journal from his last day at home when he talked all about himself to a little later when he talked about his investigators and baptisms.  The he had the man from Argentina come up.  And said, “This is Carlos – whose baptism I just read about.  So that was cool.  President Steimle is cool.  He reminds me a little of you, Dad.  But you’re cooler. J

Dad – here our districts have names.  All the Nortes have names of Jesus’ apostles.  Like Lucas, Mateo, Juan, Pablo.  I’m in district Juan.  All the Latinos have BOM names – like Ammon & Moroni & Nefi.  It’s pretty cool.

                I’m about to write an email, and then I’ll see what else I need to write.  I get confused about what I have already written about.  So, the memory card:  I’ll have to tell you later.  Also, if you were going to send me a package, don’t…at least not to Guatemala.  It probably takes a week and half or maybe 2 weeks to get here and I don’t know what/how much weight I can take to Nicaragua.  But, I could use pens and probably vitamin C and fiber tablets in the field.  I’ll let you know if I’m in dire need of anything J

                Sorry, it’s night time and P-day is over.  Mom--I got your talk and also your next 2-part letter.  Thanks!  The temple’s great.  Thanks for sending me your talk. 

I love you!   Marybeth

                We had a devotional tonight by Elder Falabela and I understood 85% of what he said.  He spoke slowly.

Love you!

GUATEMALA IS BEAUTIFUL

August 17, 2011

Hello Family!

It was great to get your emails mom.  I love reading everything that you write.  Some important notes:

        They told me that we do not receive pouch mail.  We send mail by pouch, but we can´t receive any.  So, I don´t know if I will get your letters or not, Mom.  I hope I do.  I am hungry for news from home.  We get mail on Thursday, so I will let you know if they come or not.    There is a website for the CCM it´s guatemalaccm.com  Also, we receive Dear Elders about a week or a bit more after you write them.  Mom woiuld you mind copying the emails I receive from my missionary friends onto dear elder and sending them.  I really am hoping that I can receive your letters because Dear Elder works with Pouch, but they told me that it doesn´t work so send your letters through the normal mail with a 98 cent stamp por favor.  If I don´t get any mail tomorrow it will be okay. 

So...I am in the process of writing you a letter, and I will try not to duplicate too much.  But here´s how it´s going. 

        Guatemala is beautiful.  So beautiful. and the weather is perfect. It feels so good outside.  We have our window open a lot.  I feel like I am getting spoiled here.  We have so many nice things and so many advantages.  The CCM is like the MTC but with a different style of hair or clothes.   The classes are a lot the same.  The rules are the same, except stricter.  We can´t take pictures in our room and we can only take pictures on Pday.  Also, the hermanas and Elders cannot sit by each other at lunch.  But whatever.  I´ll just have to get all my flirting in during class.  That was a joke.  

     So, I have two companions.  I go to class with hra. Wilkinson and I eat with Hra. Sanchez.  Hra. Sanchez is pretty quiet, especially with me since it´s so hard for me to understand her.  Hra. Wilkinson´s companion is Hra. Sierra.  The four of us usually eat our meals together.   Also, there is this magical thing down here called refacción.  aka snack time.   So, at 7:45 we gather in the comedor and eat popcorn, or a Latin version of a twinkie, or some milk, or the most delicious orange juice you´ve ever tasted in your life and chat.  It´s pretty fun.  We all talk about getting fat.  Hra. Sierra keeps on saying no dulces, no pan. She is funny.  The food here is way better than in Provo.  We have had platanos and beans, and rice, but almost everything that we eat is Americanish.  Hamburgers and steak nad chicken and potatoes and broccoli and peas...  So it's really good.  We were specifically instructed to eat everything off of our plates.  So,  we do.  Hra. Wilkinson and Hra. Sanchez are both really quiet during meal times, so I feel like I always have to come upwith conversation topics.  But it's fun.  We have half an hour every day to teach our companions English, so we are teaching each other.  Hra. Sierrra tells me that I speak really well.  But I don´t know how to say much.  I had to talk again on Sunday hahaha.  They do the same thing here as in Provo.  They tell you in Sacrament meeting who is going to speak.  So four weeks as a missionary and two discursos.  Que bueno!  It´s pretty fun. 

    Last night we had a video devotional from Elder Holland.  In other words, we watched a devotional that he gave last year at the MTC.  Afterwards, we had a district meeting and everyone shared something.  It was a good meeting and it was a good devotional.  My district is good here . There are only eight of us.  5 elders are going to Guatemala South and 1 to Guatemala Central. Hra. W to Panama and me to Nicaragua.   The Latinos going to my mission will come to he CCM in two weeks.  That will be fun to be able to meet them.  

    Well, I miss you all.  But Guatemala is fine and I still get to hang out with my old companions some which is way awesome.  I love Hra. Murray and Neighbor so much!    I´m perfectly safe, good, fine.    Last night after the devotional our teacher Hra. Mendez told us not to worry about the language.  that it will come.  He said:  I wish you could see yourselves in six months, like you were looking in a mirror.  You wouldn´t worry about the language at all.  It will come.  It is a miracle.   So, I hope it will come.  When I teach it is a lot easier to speak and understand because I have a pretty good idea of the context.  But in our cuarto or in the comedor, it´s a lot harder.  But I am amazed at how much I can teach in Spanish.  We have a version of TRC here called CRE.  We go to a different building and teach a progressing investigator that is not our teacher, but is a teacher at the CCM.  We do well at asking questions, and getting to know the investigators needs and just who they are.  That is helpful to do in the first lesson because it prepares you for everything else that you have to teach.   We practiced introducing the BoM and inviting people to read it.  That is also fun.  We learned to make invitations and follow up on commitments too.  It´s great.  I am a little discouraged, but I am trying not to be.    We get to go to the temple this afternoon, and I am relly excited for that.  Okay three more minutes.   Okay ya´ll write me letters.  Don´t forget about me just because I´m in guatemala!  Thanks for your prayers and love.  I love you all!  The letter from me will get sent out tomorrow.  Okay Bye!  

Love, Marybeth 

I'M IN GUATEMALA! IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL HERE!

 "I really am glad for this chance to be thrown in with the native Spanish speakers.  It’s going to happen at some point, and it might as well happen now.  I really have thought—several times—that this is the place where I would most like to be right now."

Aug-17-2011

Querida familia,

I’m in Guatemala!  The MTC (CCM) is great.  I’m glad I got to go to Provo, but I’m also really glad I get to be here.  The trip down here wasn’t too crazy.  We all survived!  I’m not sure if I told you this but they fed us breakfast and then had us go to bed.  Every 3 weeks new missionaries arrive at the MTC.  The Latinos only stay 3 weeks and the people from Provo –here referred to as Nortes -- stay for 6.  So, approx. 25 new Nortes came with me, and probably  about 50 Latinos.  Also in the CCM are about 35 Nortes who have been here for about 4 weeks now.  Everyone has 2 companions:  a Norte and a Latino.  6 Norte Hermanas came – my trio and a trio bound for Panama.  My companion is Hra. Wilkinson (going to Panama) from Vancouver, Washington.  She’s pretty nice.  I still get to see Hra Murray y Hra Neighbor a lot.  I miss them!  Hra Wilkinson actually reminds me of myself in quite a few ways.  One time I stepped out in the Hallway as she was coming out of the bathroom (we were facing each other) and I thought I was looking in a mirror for a second.  She is about my height.  My companera Latina is Hra. Sanchez.  She’s from Honduras.  In my room there are 6—Hras. Periz, Velasquez, Sanchez, Sierra, Wilkinson, y Tew.

                Since we don’t have General Authorities or other cool people immediately available for devotionals, we watch videos of past MTC devotionals.  Last night we watched Elder Holland from last August.  It was muy bien.  He talked about how much he, the first presidency, and the 12 apostles love missionaries.  He told us this is a big job – a huge work – and we need to take it seriously.  He told us we can have fun – most missionaries know how to have fun – he usually doesn’t need to give classes on that.

                Our branch meets in a chapel that is kind of near the temple. There are two branches –I’m in branch B!  Our branch is about half native and half Norte.  They do the same thing as Provo.  Everyone prepares a talk and then they announce the speakers during the meeting.  So, I got to talk again!  It was pouring rain through most of Sacrament Meeting.  The thunderstorms are fantastic. 

                Mom – I’m teaching English.  They use an ESL program developed by BYU, and we work one-on-one with our Latina companion.  So that’s fun, I guess.  I’ve only done it once.  My companion told me that she took a test entirely in English and got a 99 or a 100 on it, but she never actually spoke English or learned to speak English.  So we started at the beginning of the book – a dialogue with the Bishop.  All I have to do is say the words and let her repeat them.  Some rough ones:  pleased and great.  However, she got Bishop!  That’s a hard one.  Another one of my roommates, Hra Perez likes to speak English, but she doesn’t know much.  Someone just taught her to say I have a cough.  So, she said that a lot in a great accent.  Hra Sierra knows English really well and she helps me think of words to say in Spanish. 

                Today is clean your room, strip and remake your bed, clean your Aula (classroom) write our letters, and go to the temple day.  It’s 10:30 and I have written our Elders in Provo, started a letter to Katelyn Sneed, and this letter.

                Hermanas Neighbor and Murray (they are still companions)  are in a different district, but we do everything at the same time.  During gym I talk to them and at devotionals and other meetings.  Hra Wilikinson and I have been contacting people in the MTC.  We contacted Hra Neighbor and 2 latino Elders.  That is fun.  But we need to do more of that.  We practiced teaching 2 elders from our district as well. 

                I only get mail on Thursday.  I guess the DE get here about a week after you send them?  I don’t know.   But ya’ll should write me!  I hope to get some mail tomorrow.  They didn’t tell me until I arrived that we only use pouch to send things out of Guatemala – you can’t send things to Guatemala.  I don’t understand why.  But that’s the way it is.  It is so beautiful here!  There are huge trees and the mountains are covered with green and some houses.  The MTC has begonias, roses, cannas, hibiscus, impatiens, and hydrangeas?  I have no idea.  If you look at a picture of the CCM, my room is on the third floor…the window furthest to the right.  When I go down the stairs I see the temple.  The street we live on is very busy.  There was a big crash about an hour ago.  Also, at night we hear lots of sirens.  Every morning we have to make our bed, and every 4^th night, we clean the bathroom.  We are busy.  On Sunday we had meetings including 2 video devotionals.  For Sunday school we meet with a counselor in the branch and he chooses someone to give the lesson, so once again, you and your companion learn whether or not you’re teaching about 3 minutes before you do.  It’s good.  For RS, you find out the day before if and what you are teaching. Everyone here is pretty nice.  I wish I could understand the Latinos better.  Hra Sanchez is seriously the hardest person for me to understand.  I can understand everyone better than her.  But she is good to me.  I know the language will come eventually.  I love you all a lot.  Thanks for your letters and prayers and thoughts. [drawing of a heart]

                I just got back from the temple.  It was great.  So great.  Did you go through a session while you were there?  I couldn’t believe how small it was.  But really beautiful.  There’s only about 45 minutes left of P-day.  I forgot to mention a few things in my email:  Mom – can you post my address on facebook?  I was really glad to hear that you are cooking with Sara Bingham.  I’m sure you are helping her a lot.  Sorry I wasn’t feeling too cheerful when I emailed you this morning.  I really am glad for this chance to be thrown in with the native Spanish speakers.  It’s going to happen at some point, and it might as well happen now.  I really have thought—several times—that this is the place where I would most like to be right now.  Hra. Sanchez is going through the temple for the first time today.  Also, can you tell me how much $$ is on my banking account next time you email?  And how I can get cash down here?  And any news on my debit card?  I’m not sure what to do.  I think my debit card doubles as an ATM card, but I’m not sure.  Anyway, I know that’s kind of a hassle, but if you can just tell me how much money is on my debit card, that would be sufficient.  I only have 5 dollars and some change in American money.  One of my new favorite scripture stories is Abish.  I’ve never thought she was that cool before.  But it kind of clicked this time I read it (I’ve been in Mosiah and Alma since my mission).  Even though she had never opened her mouth before about the gospel, when she saw something extraordinary happen, she knew it was from God and she decided to it was an opportunity for her to let other people know about the power of God. So even though she didn’t completely know what would happen, she started running.  And at first it turned out really terribly.  And she feels awful, because even though she tried to do what was right, it just caused contention.  But she decides to touch the queen.  Just in case something will happen.  And it does!  A miracle happened!  Abish had a lot of faith – all because she believed in something her dad had told her about.  So…thanks Mom and Dad :)  I love you!  - Hra. II

I'M EXCITED TO BE FORCED TO SPEAK SPANISH...I just like English way too much.

August 10, 2011

Hola Familia!

I´m in Guatemala typing on a keyboard that has an ñ...weird.  But we all made it alright.  I am companions with a Hermana de Vancouver Washington Hermana Wilkinson.  Apparently we all have two companions.  We have a North American Companion and a Latina companion.  I will meet my Latina companion tonight.  The CCM is small and very nice.  The bathrooms are way nicer than the Provo MTC.  There are about 100 Missionaries here.  We bumped into a couple going to Guatemala to pick up their son from his mission.  It was fun to talk to them.  The husband had been to Nicaragua with the military and told me some Nicaraguan history, which was nice.  They got a picture with all of us and that was fun.  We got off the plane, went through customs which was the easiest thing in the world and then loaded onto a yellow school bus with black flames on the hood.  haha.  It was a fun drive.  Not too crazy, but definitely different from American driving.  Motorcycles going in between lanes fun stuff.  I had no idea Guatemala City was so huge. There are HUGE buildings here.  And the mountains looked huge from the plane, but maybe that was just a weird perspective.  Um...Classes are going to be great.  I´m in a class with about 7 other people, and the teacher is from Guatemala and speaks English.  She got to know how much Spanish we speak and talked with us a little.  The food here is fine too. 

We had an intro to the physical facilities by Hermano Dubon.  We have to make our beds everyday or he will come find us and make us do it.  haha. I´m on the top bunk again.  My companion is going to Panama.  she was in a trio before too.  Í'm not sure about what percentage of missionaries are going to what places, but I think all the Elders, or a majority of the North American Elders are going to Guatemala.  I met a Hermana from Urugauy today and I felt terrible because I couldn´t understand anything she said.  This is her first day of being a missionary, and I wanted to talk to her, but it was really hard.  I do know that she is going to Quetzaltenango. 

     I´m excited to be forced to speak Spanish.  I just like English way too much.  It´s so nice to be able to say whatever I want to say so easily.  A member of the missionary department Hermano Roberto Cajas spoke to us today.  He has been learning English for five months and he spoke to us from probably 8 or 10 minutes.  You could tell it was really hard for him, and he didn´t really like it, but he had a good attitude.  It made me think that I what I need to do.  Just talk even though I´m not sure it´s all okay.  sorry my typing is so terrible.  Today is Pday and I have had no time to write letters, so next Wednesday.  The building is airconditioned, the temple is right near by. (I see it out the window as I type, and the Shell gas staion) and everything is so green it´s ridiculous.  I guess we do community service on Saturday for forty-five minutes, so I´ll be able to see a little bit more of outside.  One side of the building is the MTC and the other side is temple housing.  But a few sisters live in the temple housing part of the building.  There are 6 beds in my room and there are four  rooms like mine in the same hallway.  One bathroom that looks sparkling clean.  The hermanas, President Steimle and his wife´s apartment and the classrooms are on the 3rd floor.  The elders are on the 2nd floor (they take up the entire 2nd floor) and the dining room, a big meeting room, and offices are on the first floor.  The motto of the CCM is Everything was better because I was there.  So, they want us to apply that to every aspect of life.  They also told us that we need to eat everything we are served.  If we don´t want to eat something then don´t ask for it.  We´re supposed to clean our plates.  the dining room is small and has 4 of 5 long tables in it.  Elders and Hermanas can´t sit together. Que triste!  but they have a little line where the cooks dish you up food, asking you what you want, and then you can dish up fruit and salad. I had pinapple, grapes and peaches today. :) 

    I think I´m really going to like it here . It is really beautiful.  The staircase has lots of pictures and plaques with quotes, and there are beautiful vases.  There is a cool statue of Mormon in the foyer.  It rained today, and that was fun too.  Lots of thunder.  But now the sky is clear.  Since our plane landed at 630 and we got to the CCM at about 8 or after, actually, we got to take a nap.  I am sooooo grateful for that nap.  I did not want to get up and eat lunch at 12:30, but I did.  Well, I hope I can learn Spanish quickly so I can talk to all the Spanish speakers here.  Mostly, I just need to start doing it and not worrying about how  I sound.  I´m excited for tomorrow and being able to start classes. 

  Cheryl,  I got your Dear Elder Email today!  thank you.  Tanner and Nani are going to be very talented when I come back. 

Okay got to go!  Bye! I love you all - write me a letter. :) Packages are okay too.  Love love love

Hermana Tew

I'M HAPPY HERE....It’s amazing how much you can learn if you want to.

August 10, 2011

3rd Provo MTC letter

Dear Family,

I just finished my email.  30 minutes goes by way too fast.  But I like writing letters too.  I forgot to mention probably the most important thing—whoops—I think, but I’m not positive, but I’m pretty positive, that I can call you from the airport.  Maybe it’s different for us because we are going to another MTC, but I doubt it.  So, I’ll likely call you sometime Tuesday Evening…right during one of Dad’s meetings, probably.  Also I thought of something I could use:  another memory card for my camera.  But it’s probably too late for that.  You can send one down to Guatemala in a letter.  Put it between two 3 x 5 note cards so it doesn’t get pushed out of the envelope by a mail squeezer thing…I guess I’ll let you know what kind it is.

Hermana neighbor, Hermana Murray and I are all on the same flight to Guatemala.  When Hma Neighbor first got her plans she was leaving the day before  us.  But they revised her plans and we’ll be leaving together, which will be so nice.  Did I mention that my district and esp. my companions love Nacho Libre?  I’m memorizing the first vision. I have 3 sentences memorized –but they’re JSH sentences.  We’ve had 4 great talks at the MTC, but 2 stick out to me:  one was on love, and one on faith.  Dani said before that she didn’t pray for charity because she wasn’t ready to receive it.  I’ve decided to pray for it anyway.  Love is so central to everything the gospel teaches. Every point in PMG is evidence of God’s love.  And the only reason the message means ANYTHING is if we love, sincerely love, our investigators. 

Another talk was by the Simmons­ -  Dennis and Carolyn Simmons.  I may have told you about this one.  He talked about patience – it being a process of faith.  We all have great potential, but we have to receive the Holy Ghost and allow ourselves to change in order to become a great missionary.  His wife told us “missionary work is part of my heart.”  Love your work, love what you are doing. The Lord and His angels will be with you and around you. 

Dad – I feel a lot of things at the MTC.  I feel love for my district, my companions & investigators.  I feel love for God and the gospel.  I feel frustrated with Spanish and knowing what to say – even in English.  I feel excited to teach people about the gospel.  This is what I want to do, but it is hard, even in the MTC where my knowledge and teaching skills don’t determine whether an investigator says hello or goodbye to the church.  I need to plan my time better, study more of the sentences in the little red book, keep on memorizing vocabulary.  Most of all I need to set goals.  I love the MTC even though it’s frustrating sometimes.  I am a little sad to leave it.  I’ll probably call the home phone if I get to call at the airport.  If that doesn’t work, I’ll just give up and talk to you at Christmas.  JK - I’ll try your cell phone, Mom.  But I don’t remember Dad’s #... uh-oh

OH!  I gave a talk on Sunday.  Every Sunday everyone prepares a talk, and after the sacrament the person conducting calls on 2 people to speak.  I haven’t been here that long and I was already participating by playing the piano, but I gave a talk anyway.  It went well.  There is one Elder who took 3 years of Spanish and he is better at Spanish than I am.  Another was in an immersion program for a while and he speaks more easily than I do, but I know more, probably.   It’s amazing how much you can learn if you want to.  One of the elders had no Spanish and he has a really strong desire to learn – and it’s going well for him.  Speaking is a struggle –a mental workout.  Dad, my Branch President served in Guatemala about a year before you.  I’m not sure exactly when, but he knew Pres. Glade.  Mom, thanks for all your letters.  I love, love, love getting them.  Getting mail is so wonderful.  I’m grateful for your prayers and thoughts for me.  I love you.  I might be a little homesick, but not really.  I’m happy here even though sometimes it’s discouraging, but our teachers always tell us:  you’re making mistakes HERE so you won’t make them with a real investigator.  We know you only have a week and a half of Spanish. Just go for it.  So we do.  And we survive haha.  And so does our investigator.  And we even feel the Spirit.  I hope our lesson tonight goes well.  Don’t worry about me.  One of the Hermana teachers lived in Nicaragua for 3 years and she said they eat the same thing every day:  rice and beans.  An elder in my district has an older brother who served in Nicaragua & he said he lived in a house that had bars over the window and doors. I’m not worried.  But I am a little scared to start to talk in Spanish to Spanish speakers.

I love you.  Thanks for your letters and news and encouragement.  Also:  this week we launched a water balloon out our dorm window with a stretch exercise band. 

Mom:  Thanks for the promise of dried pineapple.  Have you talked to Sara Bingham yet or made yogurt with her?  Say hi to Lucia and the Spanish group and other friends for me.  Gracias

Love, Mb

Also can you send me my Patriarchal Blessing?

There are a billion more elders in choir than Hermanas.  We sang “Behold the Wounds in Jesus Hands” yesterday for devotional with organ and it was beautiful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANI!