Week #25 Almost Robbed and my fav compana

Dec 11, 2017
Hello hello!!

Things are really rolling now! We haven't had a baptism yet but the faith and patience are strong.
My companion and I still get along wonderfully so that's super good. Nos llevamos muy bien,
la mejor que mis otras compas! (We get along really well, she is my favorite companion.) ;)

We are having lots of family home evenings with members and investigators. We still were
learning a little bit the area and the members but everything is well. Probably the most exciting
thing that happened this week was that we had a scare. We thought my companion got robbed!
But she didn't and everything was and is ok. Someone just bumped into her. So that was pretty
exciting.

We didn't have any other investigators in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, so that was kinda sad.
But it’s ok because we have next week!

On Saturday we had a stake activity that we helped with all the missionaries in my zone. It was
called a mini CCM. CCM is MTC in espanol.

Time is short but know that Jesus Christ and Hermana Larimer looove you!

Amor,

Hermana Larimer

Week #24 Baptism and Transfer to the Capital

Hello everyone,

We had another baptism this week so that was really good. I have no time  but the biggest thing that is happening is I have transfers tomorrow! I’m going to zona 7 of the capital. Things are different in the capital but I know it’s where I need to be. It’s called Venezuela.

Love
Hermana Larimer

Week #23 Baptism

Hola everyone!!

I only have 5 minutes so I'll just give the highlights!

Baptism!!!! She is named Gloria and she was supposedly already baptized but the church lost her papers so she had to be re-baptized and reconfirmed. That was super exciting. we traveled to barberena where 7 people were being baptized! One of the other participants fainted two times during her baptism. Once before the baptism and once in the font. She saw her dad and brother who had already passed away because the spirit was so strong for her. (the Holy Ghost) Presidente Shumway baptized her and her husband because they had tons and tons of challenges and he taught them one lesson so that was also super special. We have another baptism this Saturday!

Another thing that happened was that one of our most pilas investigators missed church even though he said he would come. We called him 5 times and he didn't answer. then a few hours later he called us back and told us he had slept in and that no se que me paso! I don't know what happened to me! I thought that was really funny. 😂

The other thing that happened was that one of our other investigators was talking to his mom  and she told him that he was already baptized and that she brought him to church when he was little. We looked for him in the records of the church and there he was already baptized. *facepalm* But that’s good because now we can just start reactivating him!

This might be my last week here in Cerinal and if it is it was super good! We have exchanges the 28th of november but I might stay because I asked Presidente Shumway and he told me he didn't
know. Usually there's a high chance that the missionary that has been in an area the longest leaves but he said he didn't know which gives me hope that I get to stay another 6 weeks! I still feel like there is more service teaching and helping that I can do here, but I am ready to do whatever the Lord wants!

Lots of love,
Hermana Larimer

Week #22 Pants, lawyers, service, and eternal happiness

Week #22
Hello Hello hello!

I hope everyone is doing wonderfully! I am! The work of the Lord is simple wonderful and a blessing. :) I feel wonderful.

The biggest thing is that I get to go to Walmart soon! I need to call Hermana Shumway and talk to her about when. Because my bug bite infections on my legs has everyone worried. So I'm going to buy pants.

Lunes, p day! I don’t remember what we did but whatever it was I’m sure I enjoyed it. :P

Martes! We had an appointment with an investigator but when we went he wasn’t home so that was kinda sad. He is super ready to hear and accept the gospel, so we are going to go to his house again this week.

Miercoles, I had a really cool expérience. We were returning from an appointment and we found a member and started talking a thought entered my mind that I needed to ask him if he knew a lawyer. The elders has asked us if we knew a lawyer so that they can help someone get married. We didn’t. But I was pondering who we could ask and then I followed the thought and asked and it turns out the member that I asked is a lawyer! That was super special for me. That I was able to follow the prompting that I received and tell the elders. The Lord really does direct his work.

Jueves, we had two new investigators, who are super ready to hear the gospel and who felt the spirit during the lesson. One of them asked us, “How can I find happiness for the eternities?” And we were like wow. That was super cool.

Viernes, we cleaned a fishing net by hand!! It was gross but pretty cool. My hands were super stinky after but I was serving and I was happy. We also found lots of snails in the net so we laid them to rest.

Sabado, we gave service again! A woman broke both sides of her ankle so we cleaned her whole house and are helping her with her marriage a little bit. she isn’t super happy in her marriage so we are helping her look for the good.

Domingo, we traveled to cuilapa in a bus for church. so that was pretty festive. It was a conference from Salt lake for all of Central America.

No tengo mas tiempo!!

Con amor
Hermana Larimer

Week #21 Prescribed pants, traffic, necessary evil

Nov 6, 2017
Hello everyone!

I hope all is well! I have been good. I have officially been prescribed pants from Hermana Shumway because my legs are gross, because of all the bug bites. So I have used the same pair of pants about 4 days this week. I was gifted from the senior couple, The Oylers, another pair of pants so I was super glad about that. Shoutout to them for being wonderful! I started washing some of my articles of clothing by hand so that’s been fun to learn how to do.

Lunes, we rested like always. We ate, cleaned, and bought food for the week.

Martes, supposedly we were going to have divisiones (exchanges) but there was 5 hours of traffic so our leaders called and told us that we were going to have them a different day. We also had district counsel where we put the goals of of the zone so that was exciting!

Miercoles, in the morning we contacted. I don’t really enjoy contacting but it’s a necessary evil, in order to find people to teach. hahaha. In the afternoon we visited sacerdocio and investigators.

Jueves, We had weekly planning. Not a lot of people were home so that was kinda weird.

Viernes, we had a ton of plans in the morning but each one fell through! So that’s when we went to the lake because it’s kinda far to walk to. One recent convert lives at the lake.

Sabado, a member left and came to do visits with us for about three hours! So that was super exciting.

Domingo, We had a new investigator named Carlos. He is super ready to hear the gospel.

Lately, I have been a little discouraged because I almost have 5 months in the mission and have only had one baptism. But, Heavenly Father blessed us with a baptism! A member is going to turn 9 super soon and when she turns 9 the baptism counts as our baptism and not as the branch.

But more importantly, I decided that baptisms are not the important thing. The important thing is that we are sharing the gospel, loving, and serving, and learning! Even if I only have 2 baptisms I will return happy content and joyful, because it was the Lord’s will!

Love
Hermana Larimer

Week #20 Seven New Investigators and I'm Losing Track of Time

I don't have a ton of time so lo siento! But this week was super good!!! We had 7 investigators in la reunion sacramental and we put another date of baptism. We are seeing blessings each day and I am still learning a ton!

We found 7 new investigators this week so that also was super exciting. 2 of the 7 are super ready to hear and learn the gospel. My companion is super good we are learning and growing together. Its super wonderful!

Also a tidbit, I put the date as the subject because I've lost track of how much time i've been here. I keep trying to count and figure it out but i confuse myself each time. So that's how it is!

I love and think and hope consistently that everything is well where you are!

The gospel is true the book is blue.

Amor,

Hermana Larimer

PS supposedly each of one of my companions will have an attribute of my future spouse. Or at least that's what my companion told me...we are going to see what happens! :P

Week #19 A Beautiful New Compañera

Oct 23, 2017

Que tal? y como estan?

This week I received my second companion! Her name is Hermana Mejia and she is from Honduras. She has been in the mission 14 months! She is a super good missionary so I am a little intimidated but I can do it! I know that companionships are divinely inspired. :)

Lunes, Hermana Paniagua said goodbye to everyone the whole day. It was good. A little sad because I felt like we really meshed well but it's ok because I was also excited to receive  a new companion. She left at 4:30 in the morning on Tuesday.

Martes, I woke up said goodbye and the members that we live with came and slept in the empty bed. That was kinda interesting. I didn't sleep very well for the 2 hours I had left of sleep. Hermana Mejia came at 10 in the morning. :) So that was good. We just were getting to know everyone.

Miercoles, We went to the house of a less active with the elders quorum president and first counselor of the branch. So that was fun. They talked a lot during the lessons that we had. And because of that the lessons were a little longer. They only accompanied us two lessons. But that was fun. We also ate with a different cook, because the cook that we usually eat lunch with was traveling to the capital.

Jueves, We had weekly planning. We were still getting to know people. And Hermana Mejia is still learning how to arrive to the places that we need to go. :)

Viernes, We were going to have a member come with us but they canceled so that was kinda chafa. (chafa=bad) But it was a normal day. I officially began to have cold on friday. So if you want pray that I will get better. :)

Sabado, We went with one of our investigators that we haven't visited in a long time. Because she's super busy and isn't ever home. But she was home and I was amazed! It was good to see her.

Domingo, We went with one of investigators that is on date for baptism but we found him without his spouse and he told us that they were separated. I cried when he told us that. He also told us that he started the Book of Mormon from the beginning in order to distract himself when he is sad. So that was good to hear, even though I was super sad.

This week I learned, tangibly, that there is always opposition in all things. But with faith and hope we can overcome anything. Also I was reminded of the importance of praying sincerely and with real intent.

Love

Hermana Larimer

PS no puedo ver los fotos que estoy enviando. Espero que les gustan!

Week #18 Saying Goodbye to Hermana Paniagua

Oct 16, 2017

Hello everyone!

This week was grand! We are going to baptize either this week or the next, so that's super exciting. :) My second one! The challenge for this week is read and ponderize 3 Nephi 11! We read it with investigators and it was then that she realized her baptism in the iglesia evangelica doesn't count. Which was a super important milestone because she had been clinging to her baptism as an excuse not to change (I think, but I don't know) Just every time we talked about baptism she told us she was already baptized.

Tomorrow I am going to receive a new companion and lead the area! So that’s super exciting. Although we didn't sleep super well last night because my companion, Hermana. Paniagua is super scared for her transfers. She was crying and talking to herself all night. So that was a little bit hard but it's ok. Because I am tired today, and we have a ton to do.  Hermana Paniagua is saying goodbye to people the whole day today.

Sorry for the super short email! I promise I am well, living, and good. I know the church is true and I know that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. The priesthood is the power of God here on the earth. Miracles happen when we are obedient.

Love,

Hermana Larimer

Week #17 Next Generation Missionary: Canada to Guatemala

Hola hola hola!

Que tal, y que paso!

This week was pretty normal. :)

Lunes: we rested. like always. :P we write and eat and shop for the week. Lunes is our sabado. Everything we would do on sabado, we do on lunes.

Martes: was a normal day of walking and teaching and more walking.

Miercoles: We were asked a favor. There is a young man who is learning English and he asked me if i could practice one on one with him. So we did that for about an hour. That was a little out of the ordinary. He is evangelical and his goal is to travel to the United States to preach the gospel, or at least that’s what he told me. My companion also is learning so she practiced a little bit too. But she is shy with her English. She doesn’t like to use it.

Jueves: We had multi zone conference. We left the house at 6:30 in the morning. We traveled for about 45 minutes in the morning to don justo. And we returned to our area about 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon. But, the coolest thing was that I met Elder Strong! We talked a little bit. :) Elder Strong’s mom was baptized by my dad and that was cool too see. When my dad was on his mission in Canada. Now it’s fun that we are both here in the mission at the same time. There are no coincidences, people.

Viernes: We resolved to focus more on teaching repentance after the conference so that’s what we did! the whole day. :)

Sabado: We taught and taught and taught. Hermana Paniaguas goal is to teach up until the very last second before transfers! And to leave the are better than she found it. which I am grateful for.

Domingo: We had 8 investigators in church and we had consejo de rama: Branch Council. Then family home evening which was a slideshow about safety given by the branch president. And it was also fast and testimony meeting and we didn’t forget to fast. So that was that also. but it was a special fast. all the missionaries in our district were fasting about obedience. Always, always strive to be more obedient! :)

I hope everyone is well and I am excited for my first transfer! I love Hermana Paniagua with all my heart and I will miss her but we both will still be doing the work and that gives me comfort. I am going to receive a new companion on the 17th. My first new companion. I am getting used to the mission and everyday is better and better.

Love,

Hermana Larimer

Week #16: Miracle families and General Conference

Note: Jessica turns 20 years old on Tues, Oct 10. She would love a bday reply to

jessica.larimer@myldsmail.net

Hello Dear Amigos,

We saw a ton of miracles this week! We had conference as well! Life is grand!

Lunes, P day! We had a Family Home Evening planned but plans fell through so we just went with a member family.

Martes, we went with a new investigator that I didn't know before. She is super ready to hear this message and I was super amazed.

Miercoles, we had zone conference and the spirit was strong! We talked about our goal to make a stake here and the spirit was so strong and it affirmed to me that that is what needs to happen here in this area. we have the goal and the time is now. =)

Jueves, we had a member with us for a few hours so that was super good. We found two new families who are less active so we are also going to work with them. We also had weekly planning and I always feel better after we have weekly planning!

Viernes, we had a new investigator who really wants to change her life! We had a member with us for the whole day so that was also a blessing. Things are always better with a member.

Sabado y Domingo, we had General Conference! If you didn't watch, repent and watch them! They were awesome. I felt like so many of the messages were for me. Also, one of the miracles happened in regards to General Conference! One of the investigators that we had dropped came to General Conference because members had invited her! As missionaries we have power and authority to teach and invite but we also have a schedule and tons of people to teach. We can only do so much if people don't want to change, but you guys can make our jobs easier! invite people always, please and help the missionaries with their job.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cp=eng-in&lang=eng

Also if you have any doubts about the Book of Mormon, which I hope to heaven and back that you don't :P, but if you do I invite you to read the talk by Tad R. Callister. That was one of the many many messages for me. Not because I was doubting but because I always want to learn more and that talk grew my testimony infinitely.

Les Amo,

Love,

Hermana Larimer

Week #15 Subtitles and Safety

Hello everyone!

I'm still so grateful to be here and can testify that the Lord listens to prayers because before my mission I wanted to speak spanish, and here I am learning spanish, growing every day, and feeling extremely blessed. Never take the life you have for granted because it came at the cost of our Brother Christ through the atonement. :)

Lunes: I studied Alma 31! It's the story of the Rameumptom. Read it and keep the faith close to your heart. Pride is not a feeling that our Father in Heaven gives us.

Martes: We had the senior couple (of the mission) come to our house and give us a workshop about safety so that was kinda different. Our new house is much better and safer than the other one.

Miercoles: We had a meeting with our branch mission leader! It was good! My zone of the mission is having an activity in each area on the 14th so we had to plan the activity my branch is going to have. We started planning it.

Jueves: We had splits...I think that's what they are called in the United States. I went with a member to the house of a menos activa and my compa went with a different member. It was good. I was a little nervous because...speaking Spanish. But the menos activa was able to understand me! So that was another testament to me that I can do this. Even though sometimes I can't believe I'm here and it feels impossible, I can!

Viernes: We had exchanges with our sister training leaders. I was in my area and my compa went to cuilapa. It was good. I learned a lot.

Sabado: We watched the conferencia General de Mujeres! My question was answered and it was a little crazy because I had english subtitles that were terrible and I was trying to understand the fast spanish. But my question was answered! That was another testimony builder to me. Heavenly Father knows us personally and loves us!

Domingo: We had family home evening with the branch and all that. The senior missionary couple came to our branch because this is their area also.

I'm out of time!!!

Love

Hermana Larimer

Week #14 Fireworks and a Wedding

*reply to Jessica.Larimer@myldsmail.net*

Hello Everyone!
I hope you all are well. It was a good week! I am beginning to count the weeks until I get a new companion because I am going to be sad to change companions because I love Hma. Paniagua but change is for the better!

Monday, I talked in Spanish in my sleep! two days before I hit my three month mark! so that was exciting for me. It was something tangible that I could see my progress with. I know I am progressing and changing everyday but it's so fun when I can look back and see it! Also one of the members here gave me fake nails last Monday so I have really been trying hard to stop biting and it has been helping! Glamorous fake nails...I am not in the jungle. :P

Tuesday, we had district meeting like always. It was good. also Alma 26 is super chilero! Chilero is an expression that means super cool. :P

Wednesday we found a new family who is menos activo. So that was pretty exciting. It was a lesson with one of the members.

Thursday, was the day of Independence here! People throw little bolsas of water at each other in the night. Then they run through the streets waiting for people to throw water at them. (see the pictures) There is also a picture of a guy dancing under lit fireworks. Not super safe, but super cool. We also had a new investigator.

Friday, we had an activity in the church for a few hours. It was super good but super crazy! lots of people came. There was a hot air balloon that was let free into the sky. The activity was centered around Independence day as well.

Saturday, I studied Alma chapter 30, specifically Alma 30:60 is super good to read. Read it! and pray for forgiveness. ;) We also decorated for the wedding that the elders were going to have most of the day. from 11:00 in the morning until 5:30 in the night! We were in Barberena. (see the wedding pics)

Sunday was good like always. We didn't have noche de hermanamiento because we had it on Saturday.

Fotos!

Night of independence people running through the street!

The activity in the church

Fireworks of the activity in the church. Hermano was dancing under them. Super not safe. But cool.

Wedding decorations!

Up close shot of wedding decorations

And the photo booth! hma paniagua and me!

Love,

Hermana Larimer

Week #13 Earthquake and Blessed

Hello!

I am chuckling as I write that because that is what all of the men here say to me. They are crazy. :) But everything is good!

We had cambios this week so I had to get a new planner so I dont have the first two days of this week. Usually, I make notes in my planner each day of what I am going to put in the weekly email but I didn't have my new planner until Miercoles so that's kinda stinky. Also I lost my other planner!!! My first planner of my mission. I was super sad that I won't have it to keep as a memento but it's ok because there is a reason for everything.

Anyway wednesday we had our district meeting with our new leader. He is different but he is good. I like him. We have our nightly call with him too and it changed a lot from our other district leader. But like I said it's good. All is well.

Thursday! Guys there was an aftershock here in Guatemala of the earthquake in mexico! at 11:00 pm. It was for a minute and a half. My companion was sleeping But I was wide awake and pondering why I couldn't sleep and then I started moving. But i was sure it wasn't my intent to move. So I said Hma Paniagaua are you awake and no reply and again and no and again and no reply. and finally she woke up and I told her I was moving and then she didn't believe me for a minute but then she felt it and bolted running out of our house. I was very confused as to where she was going. But of course I followed. Anyway, that was really exciting. Lots of people were talking about it. It was also a testament to me that the Lord really is here next to me helping me and giving me strength and comfort. He kept me awake so that I could wake Hermana Paniagua up because she was fast asleep. And actually that is what one of my investigators said. I hadn't thought about it like that until he said it. But that is the reason for the title of the email. blessed.

Friday was pretty normal. Supposedly we found a man who was one of the first people here in El Cerinal who was baptized or atleast thats what he told us. We weren't sure whether or not to believe him. It was while we were contacting.

Saturday!  Was really good! normal but my personal study was crazy. Coincidentally, I read Alma chapter 24 AND MY MIND WAS BLOWN TO PIECES. That was on accident but it works. :) It's the story of the Lamanites and the Nephites battling. Read it. It really strengthened my faith.

On Sunday there was some big event going on here so we only had two investigators in church. a record low.but its ok. We also had family home evening as a rama and Hma Paniagua gave the thought it was about the crossing of the Red Sea found in Moses chapter 3. Another story about faith!

All is well and I am extremely blessed. Because of how much I'm learning and growing. I am having experiences here that I could never have in the United States or If i had chosen not to come on my mission.

Love,
Hermana Larimer

Week #12 Falling in Love ;)

Hello Everyone!

This week was crazy. Actually every week is crazy. 

On Wednesday we had divisiones(splits)! The Hermanas de Cuilapa came here to work with us. That was really good. I love love love the Hermana that worked with me. She has 14 months in the mission. Her teaching is outstanding and she is a native Spanish speaker but her English is also super good. She likes practicing with me. Also Wednesday night we actually really seriously had our first baptism. (I feel like I've been saying we will have a baptism for like 4 emails straight:) That was really good. It was cool to see it and really cool to watch her receive the Holy Ghost on Sunday. I feel so blessed to have the fulness of the gospel in my life and even more blessed to have the chance to share it. Pictures below. 

Nothing really happened on Thursday. I mean we planned for the week and set goals but it was a normal day full of appointments and walking. :)

Friday we had a multi-zone conference.  Elder Ceballo came to our multi zone conference. He is an area seventy here for Central America. I learned a super ton. He also said that he reads everything in English from the English he learned on his mission. That's my goal is after my mission read everything in Spanish. Preach my Gospel paraphrased says that the Lord might have uses for your language ability later in your life and because i have the opportunity to be completely immersed in spanish for a year and a half I am grateful. Also we learned a new way to plan and it takes forever but it's just because we aren't good at it yet. We will get better with time. 

This week I found the secret to missionary work. Hence the title of the email. LOVE. I have been trying earnestly to be the best missionary I can be all this time and I have been learning a ton. But I have not learned to give my heart away and that is the secret. One of my investigators friday night started bawling before we even started the lesson. My heart left my body and I felt feelings that were not my own. I could speak spanish perfectly and understand everything she was saying. My Compa told me that I delivered the baptism in completely perfect spanish. Like I wasn't a gringa trying to speak spanish I could actually speak it. Anyway that’s an experience I am not going to forget. 

Hope all of you are well!! Thank you for the prayers. The mission has made me painfully aware of how unperfect I am, but I am aware it is all part of life here on earth. So thank you. 

Love, 

Hermana Larimer

Week #11 Lights Flickering, Moving, Baptism

Hey everyone!

I’m sending my love as Cassie goes off to college this week!

This week was super busy! On Tuesday we had interviews with the mission president! Mine was good and in english, so that was nice. As I'm sure you all know I really want to use my mission as an opportunity to grow and change and in response to some of my questions, Presidente Shumway referred me to ch 6 of preach my gospel! Read it! :)

On Wednesday I had a huge meeting! It's the meeting of new missionaries. It's where all the missionaries come that came out into the field with me attend a meeting together. We practice teaching have a snack and it's a general check in. Super chill.

On Thursday I shared a scripture while the light flickered on and off. That was super humbling because in the United States that would never happen. When the lights turned off I paused to see what people were going to do and they just sat there.....so I kept talking and it was like nothing happened. Also I scaled the side of a mountain in order to get to the house of a menos activo. It’s interesting because here houses on the mountain are because people are poor where as in the States if you live on a mountain it’s because you are rich. Always be grateful for what you have because in the eternal scheme of things 90 years is a very, very, short time, and please don't take it for granted.

On Friday we had someone set a baptism date for the 23 of septiembre so that was exciting!

Saturday I taught english class like normal.

On Sunday was church and family home evening!

Today, the most exciting news is I moved houses! Our other house was a little tiny bit public so we moved to a house more private. Much smaller but lots better.

Love and Amor,

Hermana Larimer