Week 32 - February 23, 2026

Please Don't Do Your Homework

Buenos dias! Espero que estén bien!

This week was an amazing week, but we didn't have any specific things that I thought I should highlight, so I'll just throw a quick list down.

AMIGOS: We got tons of friends that are slowly progressing right now and I'm hoping this week we will be able to see a lot of miracles with them. So many people with interest right now it's amazing. We are even working during our p-day to teach some of them. Elder Hill and I knew we had to take the sacrifice on that one.

TEMPLO: This week we had these four kids standing outside of the temple looking at it and then we invited them to come look closer and ask questions and a couple of them seem super-interested in the church, which is lit, so we will be teaching them more this week.

Bug Spray: Mom, I want to take the time to formally apologize. Maybe the 15 pounds of bug spray items was worth it. In the new crib, there are just infinite ants, and they really loved crawling around the edges of the bed. Decided to give some of Queen Wilde's sprays a shot and instantly whipped out the population and haven't seen one since. My desk was turning into a war zone of me killing them before, but now I can study in peace. Thanks, Mom 😁🫶❤️.

🥱: We had the 1st counselor and his family invite us over for food after church and of course we shared a scripture after. But we were crying laughing trying to share it because the dad, the first counselor, just full on slumpedddd and was counting sheep the second we started sharing the thought. The wife served her mission in St. George and speaks perfect English, which felt so weird, but was so nice. Miss my St. George trip w my boys. Seeing Perry and Will passionately fight over a 14 on a hole was one to remember. Love you boys.

🎵: All I know is if the video of me going word for word to Super Bass by Nicki Minaj at this member's house gets leaked, I'm cooked. Could be even worse than the 8th grade picture, I'm not sure 😭😭. But we pulled up and they had these massive speakers at the house and a microphone and were like, "Elders, you have to sing a song." And the girl was shuffling through songs, and I was like, "Alright, I'll do it… might have set the bar too high for future performances. Gonna have to put on a showwww the next one. Baby by Brother Bieber might have to make an appearance.

Spiritual Thought & Experience - Please Don't Do Your Homework

So, this was a little bit different of a moment I've had on my mission. It wasn't your stereotypical spiritual moment you see or hear about, but nonetheless I knew and know with a surety that the Spirit was so strong and was definitely one of the MOST spiritual moments of my life. I felt as if every word I said was magnified 100 times stronger.

On Tuesday, Elder Hill and I were out trying to find some members to visit. Essentially visiting every member point possible. Leaders or non-leaders, actives or inactive didn't matter, we were knocking. And eventually we had a door open of a very inactive family. They opened the door and the women was very kind, and the husband saw us and immediately tried pressing us. He is a very inactive member and allegedly served in the bishopric and the stake, also. He asked me about a few things and asked me what I thought ministering was because nobody in the church does. Just read a book on it bud, so yes I do. I don't think he liked that very much and started getting a little more upset. And at some point let out some comments I will never forget that ultimately led to one of the most spiritual moments I've ever felt. Now imagine 45-year-old guy with lil Elder Wilde and he says, (and much more)

“You guys aren't here for any other reason than to check the box and do your “homework”. You're just here to say you did it and benefit yourself. All it is is homework, nothing else, that's why you're here.”

It may not seem like anything, but it was. They say the Spirit doesn't reside with contention, but now I'm not too sure. I was extremely extremely upset and honestly more than anything very sad that this member was at the point in his life where he thought that. I sat there for a solid moment without saying anything. I really just wanted to go off in anger but knew it wasn't the right thing to do. The next 10 minutes of me talking were the most spiritual filled minutes I've spent teaching in my mission. Every word I said felt like it was confirmed to me instantly and was magnified to mean more than I could know.

I know why I am here and I know there is no greater purpose for me. There wasn't a second I doubted my purpose and reason for being where I am now. I have been given these 2 years to give a gift of eternity, not to myself but to others. I have been given these 2 years because I have been given too much to not give it to others. I know I am here to give this gift to those that are looking for it. I know I am here to help those around me partake of the fruit at the end of the iron rod in order to feel the pure love from God. I know that I am here to carry out the work of the Lord as he needs it and nothing else. And I know that I am not here to do my “homework.”

Moses 1:

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

I love you all and I hope you have the most amazing weeks. Shout out Caleb for finishing the mission and helping me so much throughout. See you in a quick year and four, buddy.

Elder Wilde

Week 31 - February 16, 2026

Lose Yourself

First week in the new area. It is truly so unreal here. I feel like I'm just in a dream when I'm walking past the temple 20 times a day.

Rabinal, August 27, 2025-February 13, 2026

Saying bye to all the members was so sad. I thought I was chilling and then we got to the LAST house and the LAST family. And this family is so awesome, but the babysitter told me they were sleeping when I knocked. After some contemplation, I told her to wake the son up. He got up quick and then I told him how I just wanted to say bye because I would be leaving in 30 minutes. He invited us in and I looked over and he was just bawling, and after I asked him what was wrong, through a muffled crying answer, he told me it was because I was leaving. I was boutta to start bawling too. I'm not built for that. But it was super sad and just a super weird feeling leaving Rabinal.

Buzzer beater?: In Rabinal, we had been teaching this kid for a couple of weeks and had him on baptismal date but hadn't gotten permission yet for a while. Then one of my last days, I tried getting it and she gave the permission to us so I tried finessing and seeing if we could do it before I left (the next day). She started thinking super deep and I thought I was going to get to see my dawggg in the water, but it must be meant for the next missionaries. The kid is insane though.

Coban 2

It was so lit getting here and seeing everything. The area is a little in shambles rn cause the last missionaries haven't been doing anything, and the members are sad cause they hadn't seen a baptism in four months. But we took some time organizing the people on our app and hopefully soon we should have it running. We also have an awesome opportunity of baptizing this kid who has been on and off coming to church for three months. Baptizing next to the temple was a crazy feeling. Then we had a ward activity after and seeing just 100 people at the ward activity was maybe even crazier honestly. The members are so awesome here, too.

Other

🏀: We were walking in the street and i saw some people playing basketball, and I told my comp we had to take advantage and go play. So, we walked up and said we would play and if they won, I would buy them a snack. If we won, we could share a message. 11-2. Dominated. They better pull up to church…

👨‍💼: Gonna be walking the streets this transfer with Elder Hill. He's a dawg and he's from Rigby Idaho. Had to let him in on the family ties.

🛕: Walking by the temple every day is a crazy feeling and is actually a dream. Does not feel real just casually walking by. And we are going to be able to go every week.

Spiritual thought

Matthew 16:

24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

I have always loved this scripture and have come to learn how true it is. I don't remember what other scripture says something similar, but it goes something like, if you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted. Would you capture it or just let it slip. I've had a couple companions now and heard their experiences and one thing has always stayed the same.

When you lose yourself in the work, it isn't work. The time moves beyond fast and the joy increases. He said come follow me. He didn't say come follow me sorta. Come follow me a little. He said come follow me. When you truly lose yourself, you will find yourself. You will see the blessings as the “Windows of heaven open.”  As you follow in the light of the Son of God, you will continually have the light with you. It may feel hard. You may see things on the left or right and feel as if you are solely just losing. But when you look back forward and see the light and life of the world, you will find yourself. It is easier said than done, but I KNOW. The promise in my mission call is more than true. Elder Wilde you will find more joy than you have ever seen before. And I KNOW I find this when I am working my hardest and doing everything I can. I am so far from perfect and so far from the best missionary out there, but I know without a doubt that when I try my best is when I find the joy and the light of Christ.

I love you all and hope you have incredible weeks.

Elder Wilde 

Week 30 - February 9, 2026

 I Love to See the Temple

30 down and I really can't believe it. This next week my 4th transfer (6 months) in Rabinal comes to an end. Where is Elder Wilde going next. Stay locked in this email. One more transfer in Rabinal? K'eqchi mountains? Belize? Spoiler, it's not any of those…

Grind of a Week

This week was one of those Grind-type weeks where you just put the head down and keep going. We didn't have a lot going from the beginning of the week after we decided to drop almost everyone we had found the last couple weeks. After lots and lots of doors and lots and lots of contacts, we found some Dawgs. Somehow the week still flewwww. That's when you know the mish really is speeding up when the contacting weeks FLY. It's the best when you leave a contact and you just look at ur comp and it's like no way I just heard that right… Some crazy takes were made by the Guates this week.

🎶: So, Beck and I went to this restaurant. And as we were sitting there, I start hearing this song that is honestly a banger (very good song) but I didn't recognize it… so I had to ask Beck. “Bro what is this song it's loki fire” then he hit me with “Bro, this song came out a couple months ago. You don't know it…”, “No I was in Guatemala Elder.” The first time getting hit that music hasn't stopped coming out since I left hurt.

💣: In Rabinal they have tons of these eggshells filled with glitter-type things so I thought it would be funny if I dapped up (handshake) with Juan Reyes (Devote Rabinal Member) with it and got glitter all over him. I wish the video was better, but I sold (didn't do good), but it still made my week so that was it lit (very awesome).

🛍: Made a lot of really good paca cops this week (found and bought good clothes from a thrift store). Always love it when this happens.

🏈: Watched the Superbowl with all my boys for the last week together. Didn't know who I wanted to win but was hoping for something better. Nonetheless, it was a great time.

CAMBIOS

So, I've been so nervous all week for the transfer call because President of the mish already told me I was leaving, so I was just waiting all week to know where. On our calls the aps go from zone to zone and always start with the Zone Rabinal is in. They announced I was leaving and my heart started pounding. Then they got to the area I was going to be called to (I didn't know it at the time). Elder Garcia, you're going home but Elder Hill you need a new companion, and truth is I know him well and truth is he's a little loco a little WILDE. ELDER WILDE COBAN 2.

CHAPTER 2: COBAN 2

Coban temple next to my house? Utah-type church building? Church Building 5 steps from the temple? Perfect weather? Best members in the mission (apparently)??? Panda Express? McDonald's, Wend's, Little Caeser's, Taco Bell? American stores? ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ Saying I'm excited isn't even saying enough. I'm so stoked to start there on Thursday. Literally just have the temple 30 seconds from my house and the church building in the same fence as the temple. It seriously doesn't feel real. It doesn't feel like I should be leaving my humble Rabinal beginnings. But wow! I'm still shook. Coban 2 is debatably the best area in the mission but is easily top 3. Bienvenido...

(Yes, that's my church building on the right)

Spiritual Thought

This week in our Sunday School we read a talk from the 2025 October General Conference by Elder Ronald M. Barcellos. It talks about as the prophet Samuel was going to pick the next King of Israel. Upon looking at a couple of options and thinking as if the obvious choice was the largest and strongest it says,

“But Eliab was not the Lord’s chosen servant. The Savior warned Samuel: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

David was not the biggest in his family. He wasn't the fastest. He wasn't the most skilled. But as we know the mustard seed of faith is worth a million times more. It says David was different--truly, “He loved God with all his heart.” He wasn't doing what he needed to do to show his obedience to the Lord. He wasn't following the commandments because that's what someone should do. He was doing all of it because he loved the Lord. He did it without wanting anything in return because he truly wanted to serve. It is because of this, David was favored. The Lord chose David after looking on the inside and he magnified the rest.

Moses 6

34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me

I hope you all have incredible weeks. I love you all. Look to serve someone else.

Elder Wilde

Week 29 - February 1, 2026

 Let Him Show You...

Highlights

⛪️ - This week we had our Multi-Zona council in Coban and it was super super good with so many amazing thoughts.

➗️ - One of the days this week, I spent about 45 minutes teaching a 9-year-old how to do long division. Flashed me back to Facetiming my dad in a taxi to help me with a math problem. We had to take down the Chen family somehow.

🇳🇮🇺🇲 - This week I did divisions w/ two goats Elder Richards and Torrez from Nicaragua. Great times.

Spiritual Thought

So, this week has been an interesting week. I'm writing this in the middle of my week, and I have probably felt my highest moment on the mission and my lowest within 24 hours. Let's get into it.

This transfer has been a different experience. I have had more control in my work than I have had before and ultimately been the one being able to control the area. At points, I felt like I was doing it. I was figuring it out. I felt as if I was proving myself. Almost at times it was as if I was saying, "Look, God! Look at me and everything I have been able to do. Look at me. I put lots of people on baptismal date in my first 2 weeks. A big number that ultimately led me to nowhere. I wasn't seeing the success and the growth of the people I was teaching, and it was getting to set on me. Why wasn't I seeing the successes the people around me had. I had people “interested” but when game day came around (Sunday) they withdrew from the tournament and didn't show up. When I went to try again, they didn't want anything. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the “success” that I had envisioned and felt was going to happen or maybe even the success I thought I deserved. I felt like I was putting in X and not getting Y. It was getting to be pretty hard and discouraging. Monday night I spent a big time just praying, crying, and thinking, trying to come to learn what the Lord needed me to do to fulfill my missionary purpose. I had just had a baptism I had felt so confident about for so long absolute fall through. The mom wouldn't talk to me, and she hasn't responded to a text or call since last Tuesday. All I wanted to know was how I could become a missionary of success and help the people around me and ultimately complete my missionary purpose. How could I be the missionary the Lord needed me to be and do the things he needed me to do. What I was doing wrong and how could I fix it.

As we know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. That next day I had come back from a great day of work but still was feeling a little discouraged. For the first time in my mission, the APs were suddenly calling me to talk with me. We talked for about 40 minutes about what had been going right what had been going wrong in my area. But ultimately one of them made a comment that changed my mentality and what I imagine will be the rest of the mission. Without me telling them anything of my cries the night before and the emotions I had felt, he told me:

“My three transfers in Tactic (an area) are exactly like yours right now. I didn't see a lot of visual success I didn't see any people in all white. I was training and couldn't get the success to come. There were so many hard nights I spent discouraged praying to find how to be better. I realized at the end of my time there I had been missing the most important part. I was trying to show the Lord how great I was. What I could do. Show him my worth. When the whole time I needed to let him show me how great he was. Let him show me what he could do. Not show him how great I was but let him show me how great he is.”

There was my answer. It was so clear. It was almost as if God was sitting next to me telling me this was my answer. Elder Wilde, stop trying to show me how great you think you are but let me show you how great I am. Don't show me the things you can do but let me show you how much more I am able to do. It seemed simple but I cleary had lost sight of this simple principle. Instead of looking for divine help I was trying to show how I could do it. I could do it all by myself.

Sometimes when we are having our times of “success” we forget to look towards who has given that to us and provided the way. Sometimes we put in all the effort and feel as if we give everything but still do not see the results we think we are going to see. God's work is not transactional. You don't put in X and get Y. It is all in the will of God and as we look towards him through his will and his timing, he will magnify everything we do more than we can think. But before he does that we need to stop and think, maybe we are trying to show him how great we are instead of letting him show us how great he is. 

I'm writing this on Thursday and do not know what I am going to see this week. I don't know if I will have anyone come to church and I don't know if I will see the “success” I have envisioned, but I do know that one day the Lord will show me how great he is but that is on his time. But I have never felt more sure that he will show me whether that be tomorrow or June 30th, 2027, I know that he will show me. I know that if I try my best and do my part and leave it up to the Lord, he will fill in the gaps and magnify the rest. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and for this opportunity to serve.

Mosiah 4

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

I love you all. Have such an amazing week.

Elder Wilde 

Wow. I could never forget the things I saw this week and the feelings I felt. This IS the Church of Jesus Christ. He IS in the details. He IS a god of miracles. I just had to let him show me...