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