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| The temple in Quetzaltenango. One of the most sacred experiences of my life. |
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| The way up to the temple |
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| The twins |
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| Celeste and Rosio at english classes |
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| Hermana Stephens and me |
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| This is Juana. The one that practices the religion of her grandfathers. I just had to take this picture so I can tell Nephi that I tried and that I gave her the Book of Mormon and testified with all my heart that it is true. |
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| Gloria. See story in letter. |
I love that Guatemala is the land of the eternal spring. It is so gorgeous. This is the best weather I have ever had. It was super hot this week and so beautiful and wonderful. Puro sol.
We went and visited Gloria yesterday, the one who is menos activo and used to live in the states and loves us. She is turning 80 today and we are going over to visit her tonight. But while we were there yesterday the first thing she said to us, in english, was- ¨Want to know something? I am not hungry. But I want ice cream. Will you please go buy me some ice cream.¨
Me: ¨Gloria, I will bring you the biggest thing of ice cream tomorrow for your birthday.¨
Gloria: ¨No no no, I won´t want it tomorrow. I want it right now.¨
Me: ¨But today is Sunday and we can´t buy things on Sunday.¨
Gloria (appaled): ¨What! You are telling me that if I was dying you couldn´t buy me medicine? God won´t be bothered by that.¨
Me: ¨We can buy you whatever medicine you need when you are dying. But you want ice cream and you are not dying.¨
Gloria: ¨Yes, I am dying. And I don´t want medicine, I want ice cream.¨
A la gran... she is something else. She is convinced that she is dying. And I almost broke the Sabbath Day just to get her to stop arguing with me. I even read her that section in Exodus 20. So instead we took that crazy picture with the shawl and the glasses to get her mind of the ice cream... She loves pictures. I love all the old ladies, just like mom does :)
This week truly was maravillosa though. Hermana Stephens completed her year mark in the mission so we got to go to the temple. Ah... the temple. I cannot describe the experience that I had there. It was probably one of the most sacred moments of my life. I said a prayer right outside the doors, before walking in, and then the second I opened that door... the Spirit washed over me and tears just started down my cheeks. It had been about 9 months since my last visit to the temple in Guate and it was miracle that I got to go this week. But Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed. The promises, the movie, and the words and the covenants, the Celestial room. I felt SO close to my Heavenly Father. I was FILLED with the Spirit and given all new perspective. I just could not hold back the tears. I feel like I learned so much about how much Heavenly Father loves us and how he literally is watching over us from our Heavenly Home. I love that. I love Him. And I LOVE the temple. I am going every day that I possible can when I get back. The temple really does lead us back to our Heavenly Father. Like they said in the women´s conference, the pathway to the Celestial Kingdom is lined by covenants that will guide us there.
2 Nephi 9:18 But, behold, the arighteous, the bsaints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the ccrosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall dinherit the ekingdom of God, which was prepared for them ffrom the foundation of the world, and their gjoy shall be fullhforever.
Then we did exchanges this week and I went to an another part of Huehue called Talmiche. It is this beautiful little mountain. Although I thought I was going to die on the ride up, Hermana Cushcagua and I had such a wonderful time up there and she taught me so much. She is the most humble little missionary from Ecuador and so powerful! She makes me laugh so hard. She was telling me all about her investigators and desafios and everything that was going on up on this mountain when all the sudden we peaked around the corner and the fields came into sight. Everything was so beautiful but SO dry. Like it was all dead and there was no water. Hermana Cushcagua just looked at me and said, ¨I learned something about my area in my personal study yesterday. The Book of Mormon promises are still coming to pass. These people are so hard hearted and thus they are not prospering in the land. They are in a drought. They are suffering because of their wickedness. I just want them all to listen to they can prosper.¨ Okay... 1- those Book of Mormon promises were literal. 2- they probably were made concerning the exact land that we were crossing. 3- I love the Book of Mormon. 4- It is so true! It is so sad to see people suffering because of wickedness but so amazing to watch the covenants and promises of the Lord being fulfilled. Those that heed the counsel of the Lord and keep His commandments really do prosper in the land. Physically and spiritually. Like with paying tithing. Those promises are so real.
Helaman 3:20 Nevertheless aHelaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land.
I just want these people to prosper in the land. That is why we are teaching them the gospel. The Restoration brought with it all that we need to prepare ourselves and our families to stand blameless before God. But one of the most precious and prefect things that was restored to the earth was the knowledge of who Jesus Christ really is. I think that is something I have really learned on my mission. They don´t know Him. And that breaks my heart. But that is why we are missionaries and members and mothers and representatives of Him.
2 Nephi 10:2 For behold, the apromises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of bunbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be crestored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
What a priceless gift it is to be a member of His church and to know who our Savior, Jesus Christ really is. I love Him. I love Guatemala and I love my family! Hope you guys have the best week ever. Praying for you always!
Hermana McGill
