Surviving My First Week

HI FAMILY!!
> 
> I survived my first week in my area. My first day I was a little overwhelmed by everything. My house was so different that I could have imagined. I lived in this dingy, dark apartment with not very much light, and cement floors. I had to sleep on a cot my first night, and when I dumped out my cot I had to kill the cockroach that was still on it. I just prayed hard that I would be able to sleep that night, and not stay up letting doubts fill my mind, but instead that I could find joy, instead of focusing on anything negative. I slept like a baby. The next morning I read Alma 29:9. I found so much comfort. It was an answer to my prayer, that the way to find joy here is to be obedient and help others by possibly being an instrument to the Lord. That´s the scripture that I want on my plaque. Well, anyways on my second day here we found out that we would be moving to a different house, which actually has tile floors, and more windows to let the light in. 
> 
> Everything is so different here, but I love it. Even though we have lots of rules to obey to keep us safe, I feel so free. Anything goes here. A couple things I found interesting here is that McDonalds delivers. I would be in trouble if that were the case in the US. Also before I left I used to wonder what happened to all of the hollister and abercrombie clothes, because nobody wears them anymore. Welp, I now know that they are all down here in Guatemala. But i love the people here so much. I great all the sisters here with a kiss on the cheek. We ride the bus everywhere. There is a little market on every corner and you just buy your food for the week or for the day. 
> 
> My companion is Hermana DeSoto. She´s so awesome and helpful. She is the current health secretary who takes all of the health calls. She is training me on all of my nursing stuff. She has 12 weeks left before she goes home, so we´ll be together for that long. We usually get most of our calls from the missionaries in the morning or the evening, because thats when they are home. But we still have a regular schedule just like everyone else. On my first day here we had a couple of lessons. One was with 2 kids who got baptized on Sunday. I gave a talk on baptism at their baptism. My spanish is far from perfect but I can at least express what I want to in a simple way. We also met and helped a great family move. Im really excited to teach them more this week. 
> 
> I guess the address that I gave you is old, and the office has moved. I don´t know if i´ll ever receive the letters or package that you sent there. which is kind of frustrating. I need to call and find out if they are having mail forwarded. But here is my new address, and this will always be the same even when I move. 
> 
> Hermana Whitaker
> Misión Guatemala Norte
> Apartado Postal 951-A
> Guatemala, Guatemala C.A.
> 
> Im going to try and send a bunch of pictures and I hope they work. These are with my first companion Hermana Folland from the MTC. 
> I love you all. Thanks for everything that you continually do for me. I want to hear about your trip!!!!!!
> 
> Love, Hermana Whitaker

Aug. 25

> hi family!! this week has been a great week alrady. i received a few
> letters from the the states. I got the cute card that you made with
> the butterflies on it. Thank you so much. I talked to the CCM
> president about my debit card. He said the best thing to do would be
> to send it via fedex to the CCM. you will be able to track it through
> fedex. Then he will give me special permission to call and activate
> it. I definitely will need it though, because my card hasnt been
> working. It hasnt been a big deal yet, because I have enough cash for
> the few things that i have needed to buy. mom, thats great that you
> have been exercising and eating better! im sure you know how proud i
> am of you. are you already for your trip? Thanks for the little
> spiritual thoughts that you always send me! On tuesday the ccm
> president took us on a little city tour. we went to a monument where
> some engineers spent about a year surveying the entire country of
> guatemala and then made a cement replica of all of the geography. our
> president talked awhile about the theories of the book of mormon
> stories taking place here in the area, in comparison to the geography.
> Afterwards we went tothe guatemala central market, which is about an
> entire block and is 3 stories underground. afterwards we ate at
> wendys. it was great to have french fries, but ranch wasnt an option
> for my chicken nuggets haha. Whenwe got back we went to the temple.
> while we were inside it started pouring. by the time we came out water
> was flowing down the streets. we hurried back to the ccm, and when i
> got back i could literally pour rain out of my shoes. it was so much
> fun. at night there was also this huge lightning cloud that
> continuously let off lightening for a half our straight. i guess
> florida has lightening storms like that all of the time, but its
> definitely something we never see in nevada. Me and one of my
> companions were called to be the coordinating sisters. we helped the
> new arrivals get settled, and explained the rules, and are the go to
> person for any problems or questions. Its fun to be the little mother
> hen of all of these girls. My love for the scriptures continue to grow
> more and more everyday. I know a few weeks ago I said that its kind of
> like im camping here. repeatedly in the book of mormon nephi talks
> about how his father received all of these great spiritual blessings
> while he lived in a tent. (1 nephi 2:2-4). Im greatful everyday that
> heavenly father directed me in this direction, and to give up all of
> the nice things i enjoyed back at home to come here to guatemala. I
> would give all of those things up every single day to be here and
> receive the spiritual gifts and blessings that im receiving. I love
> you all and pray for you everysingle day. thanks for everything. Love
> hermana whitaker

August 18, 2012- Speed Walking

How is my most favorite family ever doing? this week went by super fast. hopefully ill be able to write all the things that i can remember that happened. thanks for all of the letters and emails this
week. i wont have time to email a response back to everyone, but hopefully ill have more time to send out some letters. this week we took a bus into the city. they dropped us off and we had the experience of tracting. thank goodness for my latina companion i was asigned to, or else i wouldnt have had any idea what anyone was saying. it was a great experience, and i had the opportunity to share a book of mormon and bear witness of the truthfullness of the book being another testiment of jesus christ. the best part was watching the womans face light up and change as the holy ghost bore witness as well. i look forward to having more experiences like this for the next year and a half. we get to go and tract again next week. we also get to go on a tour of the city on tuesday, because thats the day where half the group here leaves for there mission, and the next group from the mtc in provo comes in. by the way, CCM stands for centrál capacion de misioneros... its just the abreviation, like the mtc in spanish. this week i had to sit volleyball out for a day, due to my sprained ankle. my district was having speed walking compitions down the hallway(because guatemala won their first gold metal ever in speed walking!!) i won the first two rounds, and then on my third race, i was wearing my ugly dansko and when i got to the end of the hall and went to turn around for my final stretch i blew out my ankle and fell to the ground. dont worry though, it was only a minor injury, and im back in business. lauren, yes i have been also practicing basketball,as well as jungle gym, dance, cheerleading stunts, and many other sports to try and keep my sanity here. but i work just as hard as i play when its time. i feel like this week i really grew in my ability to understand and comprehend others spanish! we also had a fireside. some quotes that i liked include ´obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles¨ also once you have done something that you have never done before, it becomes easy from there on. Dad and Mom, i love you both so much. thanks for your great example always. tell Jeramy happy birthday for me, I also love all my siblings and friends. my times up but ill write again next week

August 11, 2012

Hi everyone!

 how is everyone doing? Thanks for the emails this week they were fun to read and to hear what has been going on. also, im pretty sure you can still use dear elder, and letters will get printed off and sent to me. they just wont arrive that exact day. I had another great week here. A lot of people seem to be getting sick, but luckily i havent caught what is going around. I wanted to tell you more about what the CCM is like here. There are two buildings here. One has the main office, the comedor where we eat and have firesides,the big room for meetings, and a few classes. The second floor in this building has the Elders´ living quarters. The third floor has thesisters living space. there are 5 rooms with 3 sets of bunk beds in each. we have 4 showers, three toilets, and 4 sinks. there are also 2 washers and dryers that we all share. the buildings are pretty nice. we dont use the sink water to brush our teeth. there is purified water right next to the sinks that we use. we only get 5 minutes to shower everyday, so you know im definitely only washing my hair every 3 to 5 days, haha!! MERMAID HAIR HERE I COME!! the other building is where my district meets for class. there are 10 of us in my district, all from the north. we have 3 latino teachers. In the 2nd building there are a bunch of little living quarters where the church will house people who have traveled here to go to the temple. right now there is a large group (4 school buses full) of people who rode all the way from Honduras to go to the temple. We also have a little exercise gym with some weights, and treadmills. Outside there is a caged in cement basketball court, and volleyball net. we all joke about how we ar playing prison ball outside. I love when we get to teach or be taught by the latinos here. they are always so willing to help is with our spanish and the same is the true for them. here is a tongue twister that I learned in spanish: R con R guitarra, R con R barril. rapido ruedan los carros cargados de azucar al ferrocarril. you have to roll all of the r´s, and its really fun to say. this week we were able to go to the temple. it was a great experience to go as a missionary, and received the blessings that are only available through attending the temple. I continue to learn and grow more and more in the gospel and in the language everyday. I enjoy the opportunities we have to teach people everyday. I have a testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bless you in all aspects of your life. Everyone has different problems and challenges that they are trying to overcome, and there is always a portion of the gospel that can assist them in their challenges. Today I have a nursing meeting with the area medical advisor, dr. drake, who is from reno, and knows grandma and grandpa there is also a couple here, I think their name is the Perkins, who are from Kanosh. I was saying that i was from fallon, and sister perkins was like, ¨oh you must know the whitakers than¨ and i told her I was a whitaker. she knows all of the whitakers in kanosh, and a lot of grandpa´s siblings. Dad, when we went to Kanosh and stopped at someones house and had homemade bread and jam, who´s house was that? I have to go now, but thanks for all of your love and support. Mom, keep up the good work on being healthy. I know you can do it!! I love you all, and will be sending some more letters today in the mail.

 I love you soo much !!

August 1, 2012 - Made it to Guatemala

Hola mi familia!!

 I just have a minute to tell you that I made it

 safely to the Guatemala CCM! Yesterday was a long day. We waited in
 the airport all day, and finally got on a plane at 9:30 at night. We
 flew to LA, and got our next flight around midnight. We Landed at
 about six this morning. So far everything has been good. There was an
 old school bus waiting for us at the airport that brought us to the
 CCM. Also, everyone speaks spanish here, obviously. I can already tell
 that i'm going to pick up spanish so much more quickly. I'm in a trio
 companionship with a girl that was in my room in provo, hermana
 stratton, and another hermana from california, hermana stewart. We had
 breakfast this morning, which was delicious guatemalan food. i don't
 know the name of anything that i eat. but its super good. The temple
 is right across the street, and we can see it right outside the
 window. The people here are so little, so cute, and so nice. I'll
 write again on my preparation day, which I think is on Sunday. 

I love you. Nos Vemos

July 25, 2011

Hi Everyone!

 

This was another great week in the MTC. We had lots of teaching opportunities, and learned more than I could ever explain in 30 minutes. I received my traval plans this week. I leave August 1 around 12:30. I'll be able to call home when I'm in the airport, prior to my flight leaving, I guess I'll try the house phone first, so hopefully someone will be there to pick up the phone. Then I travel to texas, where I'll get on my plane for Guatemala. I have 3 others in my travel group. I can't believe my time here in Provo is almost up. I do have to get 2 more immunizations that I wasn't able to get before entering the MTC.  I'm just sitting in the basement doing laundry right now. We went to the temple this morning, which was amazing as always. Afterwards we had breakfast in the temple cafeteria, which was so amazing compared to the food here. Although I must admit the food here is pretty good. During our class time we do a lot of Spanish practices through games, reading, memorizing, playing games, and having conversations. I'm in a pretty good district with great teachers. We also are teaching two people, Gaston and Gabriellina, about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There truly is no better feeling than feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost while teaching someone.

Praying in Spanish has been interesting. One Sunday I was praying with my companion and I tried saying that we're thankful for the sacrament. I didn't know the word for sacrament (which I now know is santa cena), so i just said said sacramento. But then I could only think of being in sacramento california, which isn't what I was trying to say at all, and then I just lost it laughing. We probably experience that at least once a day.

 

Yesterday I had my first nurse training class all day, and I have to go back for a few more hours later today. We were taught by Dr. Bruce Woolley, who is amazing, and a relative to Spencer Woolley Kimble. Lets just say that I'm terrified to get bed bugs now, and a million other diseases. My assignment will basically be up to the needs of my mission president, and his wife. I think I will just be monitoring Elder's health and transferring information to the Area Medical Advisor. I think alot of the monitoring will be through the phone, and triage type care.

 

This week I watched the talk "Characters of Christ" by Elder Bednar. It was amazing. He taught that the character is Christ is that he turns outward, and is constantly thinking of others, when any other natural man would turn inwards and think of themself, and feel self pity and selfishness. He continued to basically say, get over yourself, quit worrying about yourself, its not about you. Everything is about Christ and doing his will. I love the way Elder Bednar is so straight forward and blunt, in a loving way.

 

I continue to love my companion Hermana Folland. She is amazing and impresses me every single day. I'll be sad that we most likely won't be companions in Guatemala, but I'm glad that I'll probably still get to see her alot. She studied abroad in England, and can immitate the British so well. It cracks me up.

 

I'm glad that Grandpa is back home now, and sounds like he is doing better. Hopefully things continue to go this way.

 

During my gym time I have been playing a lot of volleyball. We get to play outside in the sand, which almost makes it feel like i'm at lake tahoe on the beach. Its funny because people always ask if I played in highschool. Thanks Lauren for being such a good coach and teaching me your amazing ways.  

 

I Love you all so much! Thanks for all of the love, support, prayers, and letters.

Love,

Hermana Whitaker

 

Dad- I love you!! You should write me a dear elder before I leave the MTC.

 

Mom- I still have to get 2 more immunizations that I wasn't able to get before I came. I think they are going to be around $180 total. Do you think you could help me out? Also if you're getting Elder Graziano's emails do you think you can email them to me?

 

Jeramy- How's bejeweled blitz? lol

 

Millie- Thanks for your diligence in writing me daily. Its so nice to count on hearing from someone everyday. I'll get a letter out to you today, now that I have your address.

 

Kiri- Congrats on the promotion at work. I have a letter written for you, but don't have your address. Can you dearelder it to me today so I can put it in the mail?

 

Lauren- Did that email ever come from the state with my bioterrorism certificate, if so did you print it out and put it in the safe? Umm also, what's new in your life, besides you and Jon just being best friends now?

 

July 18, 2012

HELLO FAMILY!!!!!!!

 

Its so nice to be able to write you. Thank you all so much for the fun packages, and for making my birthday special. The cupcakes were delicious. And I can't wait to try my new sock bun. Thanks for the DearElders, its great to get a little note with updates each week.

 

I couldn't have asked for a better first week in the MTC. First off I have an amazing companion, Hermana Lucy Folland from West Bountiful, UT. We get along so well. She is 21, a hard worker, smart, and has a great personality. There are four girls in my room, and we will all be going to the Guatemala MTC together at the end of the month, probably 7/31 or 8/1. Elder Faught is in my district, so we have all of our classes together. He is doing great, and I see him learn and grow everyday, and think of how proud his family would be if they could see him. I also have seen Elder Adams at meal times. Spanish is coming along quickly, and I'm grateful for the classes that I took in highschool to help me. I have learned how to pray, bare my testimony, memorized the purpose statement, the first vision, verbs, vocabulary, conjugating present, future, and a lot more spanish. I haven't had and nursing training yet, but I think i might have a video conference later this week or next. From the sound of it, most of the training will come either in the guatemala MTC or just when I get there and find out what the mission president has in store for me in 9 weeks.

 

I feel like I grow spiritually exponentially daily, and its the greatest feeling in the world. The hardest part about my mission thus far, is knowing that this will only be for 18 months. Having my birthday on the sabbath day was so amazing. Church here reminds me of a fantasy football team. If you could pick the most amazing sunday program with the best speakers, songs, prayers, topics, and feelings, and then make it real life that would be the MTC. We had a devotional speaker where Jenny Oaks-Baker came and played the violin, and related songs to spiritual experiences. She is Elder Oaks' daughter. She gave up her spot on the National Symphany to raise her family. We also heard from Vaughn J. Featherstone at a fireside. A quote from him that I liked was "I lived for myself, I faught for myself, as if Christ had never lived, as if Christ had never died." I know its important to fight to follow God every day, as if we are the only ones who can help ourself. I know by living this way daily my love and appreciate for the attonement and the Savior will increase. I know that my very best will never be enough in comparison to the greatest act of love and charity that the Savior performed.

 

I wish I could share all the amazing things I learn and feel every day, but I simply don't have enough time. I am keeping a journal though, and know I'll be able to share more in 18 months.

 

The only hard trial I had this week was when I heard about Grandpa. I know that he is strong and was doing what he loves to do, when he developed his blood clot. Through his example of hard work I have decided to work hard through all tough situations, until I find joy in them, just like how grandpa's favorite hobby is working.

 

Dad- That's too bad you weren't able to get those coyotes off of the highway. Hopefully you'll get more this summer. How is everything going with the hay ranch?

Mom- Thanks for the little notes and updates. I'm glad your calling is going well. 

Ian and Michelle- Do you think you could send me a picture of your family with the kids?

Jeramy and Hailey- I would love to get the letters you write to Elder Gunter... maybe you could just copy and paste them. I hope you're having fun in Island Park.

Millie- I love hearing about the kids and all of the cute little things they do!! Thank for your dedication to writing me.

Kiri- You crack me up, and do you think you could drop off some fabreeze and odor eaters to go in shoes?? Lets just say our room smells like sticky feet :)

Lauren- Good luck with your job and move and everything. Tell Ike and Kayla congratulations for me, I'm excited for them.

 

I'll try to respond to you today more with letters, because I'm almost out of time.

Just know that I am having the best time of my life here, and that I love you all very much.

 

Love,

Hermana Whitaker

Millie whats your address?

Saying Goodbye

Goodbye America! 

                                                                Not even nervous!

                                                             Walking into the MTC