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