Was on a bit of a vacation this week and became Chapin (Guate citizen). But had great convos along the way. Made me realize how incredible the mission is. I love it so much here, I love the people, I love the work, and I love the experiences so much. I can't believe I only have 17 months left, it truly is the best thing in the world to be a missionary here, and I feel so lucky to be where I am. I love the mission so much and am so beyond grateful for the six months I have had and would not trade them for absolutely anything.
The Capital
So, Wednesday in the afternoon we left for Coban so we could get to the bus in the morning. Elder Redd and I went together but we had to drop off my comp in Salama and his in Santa Barbara. Before starting of course, we had to get a Little Caeser's Pizza and then we were on our way. Just dying laughing the whole time. I'm sure all the Guates on the bus were pressed about the Americans, but it was worth it. Then we got to Coban and of course had to get Panda Express. And then one of the secretaries is our dawg from the CCM so we stayed w him and talked for awhile
Thursday we got some unbelievable McDonalds breakfast to start our day then we went and found some car hart pants for 10 quetz ($1.50) unreal find. Then we went and got on the MONJA BLANCA (boujee bus) to Guate City where eventually we got to the hotel which is so unreal, and we learned the missionaries get to stay there because one of the Seventy owns it. Now it's adding up. Then we went and got the hotel buffet, hit the nice gym, and watched the Packers Bears game, and then we both took 30-minute showers because they have UNREAL showers.
Friday
Migration appointment was at 6:30 so we had to get up early and get the hotel buffet breakfast. Yk just some pancakes, French toast, donuts, chocolate croissants, and fresh orange juice. Then we went to our appointment and got to see all of the others' missions there which was cool to talk to them. And because our mission is so far, we had two appointments that day and the second was to get the actual card of our citizenship. Redd and I were just dying laughing the whole time and the lady thought we were hilarious (she couldn't understand anything we said). After a quick conversation with Redd, we decided it was time to ask the big question. I told her I had a question and it would be the biggest miracle in the world… if we could get Krispy Kreme. Just go look at the photos. And then we got back to the MONJA BLANCA station where they told us we could get on one of the minibuses or wait two hours for the nice ones… during the next two hours, we got Little Caesars and walked around Guate for a second. Then eventually made it back to Coban and finished off our donuts for breakfast the next morning.
SPIRITUAL WORK THIS WEEK
Don't worry, I did do some of the Lord's work this week. We were able to find this family that actually is fulfilling our invitations so far, so this is a REALLY good thing to see. The BIG downside this week was that the stupid Fair is here, so it is IMPOSSSIBLE to get people to church. We had 12 people… Fair 1, Iglesia 0. Also, I thought for the first time in my mission I got a real reference from a member that was going to work. So, we walked forever to this person's house, my comp almost died to a dog, just to find out all they wanted was money from us… then they started cussing us out when I said no, but we can give you a spiritual thought? Classic. I also got to call someone in Serbia and speak Spanish to them to help with a lesson. Sorry Elder Van Sweedan, I didn't quite understand what I was supposed to do…
Spiritual Thought
So, this week I hit six months in the mission and as I was going over experience after experience with Elder Redd, I started to realize a trend in all the things. We were talking about experiences where a waiter asked Redd for his menu, but he didn't understand so he just said his name, or when they asked me to put my four left fingers on the scanner and I gave them Preston Benjamin Wilde. Experiences that were just too funny or we were never going to forget.
I've been thinking a lot about what has been the most important thing I have learned on my mission in these six months. Now I know that's not a lot of time but still. And as I was thinking about it, at first the answer didn't seem clear, but then I realized it really was so obvious. I'm sorry I am not going to give some profound answer or something crazy. Because the answer is the simplest thing you can do. The most important thing I have learned in six months is to smile. Just smile. Smile when you are walking past someone, smile when you are talking to someone, teaching someone, saying hi to someone. It is genuinely beyond insane the effect a real smile can have on both you and the person receiving it.
On the mission we have the opportunity to give the biggest gift in the world every day. There's an endless list of gifts we are giving but they all stem from the church. If it was someone's birthday and you were giving them the greatest gift in the world, I'd imagine you would do it with a smile, knowing that you were going to change their life. We do this every single day, giving them the greatest gift in the world. We need to have a smile. I invite each and every one of you to do something simple but give them a genuine smile that you are genuinely happy to see them or talk to them, and I promise you will see the effect in both yourself and them. You are only in the service of God, and he has given us this commandment.
John 15: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Sorry for the longer email and it was a little all over the place, but I love you all so much have a great week.
Elder Wilde
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