Changes :: June 27, 2016

This week, I had changes and am back in Mazatenango, where I started my mission. I am happy to be here because I truly love Mazate! Some of my converts came and visited today, which made me so so happy.

My area is called San Antonio. It is really big, so we get to meet a lot of people. The ward is average sized and the members are overall really supportive from what I have seen. I have only been here a few days but overall, it has been a good few days. The changes are always challenging, but with time, we adjust and the work of the Lord continues!

My companion is named Hermana Perea. She is also from Lima, Peru. She is also 23 and graduated from college as an architect. I love having conversations with her because she is really intelligent and an amazing teacher. We have a LOT in common, like our interests, talents and opinions, which makes things really fun and interesting. 

Our mission president goes home tomorrow and we get a new mission president, President Goodman!!!

That is all for now.

XOXO

Hermana Jessop

Graduation and Goodbyes :: June 20, 2016

This week, we had a multi zone conference. Here are some pictures from the conference. My trainer, Hermana Mendoza, is going home to Mexico! 

The sisters from our zone

A member's alligator. They caught it in the river and are waiting for it to get bigger so they can eat it. They eat just about every animal here.

Hermana Meza graduated from her training so we had a fun little graduation ceremony with our family. It was really fun. We had a traditional Guatemalan dinner and all wore matching clothes.

For P-day, some of us made a little celebration out of those going home and finishing their missions. Hermana Castillo is from Mexico, Elder Mendez is from Peru, Elder Hala is from the USA and Elder Garboza is from Peru, so we made a traditional food from every country and had a little party. Guess what our American food was??? Hamburgers...ha ha ha

I am sending photos of different activities from the week. It has been a busy and good one. We are loving the Lord's work and learning through the ups and downs. I am especially excited this week because I have a brand new nephew!!! Welcome to the world, David!

This week, I have learned a lot about grace. It is a beautiful principle.

We have access by faith to his grace. Romans 5:2

As I learn more about my Savior, I am more and more blown away by his grace and grand act of love for each one of us. After we work in faith, doing all we can, He makes up all the difference. If we are humble and trying, the Lord will always make up for the things we cannot do because of our human limitations.

I love my Savior with all my heart and know He lives.

Have a great week, everyone.

The Magic of People :: June 13, 2016

I have felt the Lord's love very strongly this week as we have been able to pass time with many different, colorful, vibrant people. I am amazed by the world that lives inside of each individual person and the magic that brings our souls to life when we are authentic and true to who God has made us to be, to our individual talents, abilities and stories. In my time in Guatemala, I have learned more about my own life story and am growing to really love it. As humans, we must share our stories, our lives and our authentic selves, lose the privacy and arise together, helping one another. 

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Here are some of the photos from this week of our family here in Dalmacia...

The Linares Family. About 3 years ago, the missionaries came to their house and started teaching them. They had never attended any church before in their lives, but always believed in God. They started receiving missionary lessons. Florencio (the husband) started really taking into consideration the doctrine he was being taught and prayed to know if what the missionaries taught was true. He received his answer and immediately asked the missionaries when he could be baptized. The missionaries, of course, were so excited that Florencio had received his answer and prepared the baptism. 

Florencio talked to his wife and told her he didn't want to do it alone, that he wanted his exaltation with his eternal companion. She told him that she would follow him wherever he went, that she also believed the message was true. They both were baptized and exactly a year later, they were sealed in the temple for all eternity. It is the sweetest story. 

Something else that really impresses me is that Florencio had never learned to read and he wanted to learn so he could read the scriptures, so he taught himself just a couple years ago. He is the most devoted servant of God I have ever met. I love their sweet love story and their devotion to serve God. They live only off the sales of their banana trees, which isn't a lot, but they always find a way to pay their tithing and do all the Lord asks of them. 

Hermana Meza and I... She has really taught me a lot of lessons. I feel so privileged to be her companion and be able to learn from her everyday. 

Hermana Meza left notes by my bed this morning and it really made my day. Think of little things you can do for those around you. I know this act really meant a lot to me.

We all showed up to church wearing the same colors without knowing it, so we had to take a picture. (From left to right) Mama Maritza, Our little sister, Lilia, Hermana Meza and I, and Jessica with her little boy. 

Papa Felix. Felix lives across the street from us and always watches out for us and helps us with whatever we need. He is one of the happiest, kindest people I have ever met in my life. He is a newer convert to the church. Just a year ago, he tells us that he was discouraged with his life and was a big smoker and drinker. The elders started teaching him a few months ago and when he listened to their message, he told them that he knew it was true and said he would never smoke or touch alcohol again. He was baptized and since is very involved in serving others and doing what God would have him do. 

Abuela Dorita... She was one of the very first members of the church here in Coatepeque and says she will fight to the end for God's kingdom. She invited us over to dinner last night. We were soaking wet from the rain so she gave us her clothes to change into. All of the lights in the city went out because of the storm, so she lit candles for us and cooked us a traditional dinner of platanos, beans, and eggs with toast.

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Home is wherever the people we love are. As we open our hearts to those around us, the Lord will use them to help us and vice versa. The whole purpose in life is that we all learn, grow and progress together in Earthly families. Reach out this week to those around you who need your help, or if you are struggling, listen to those around you. Heavenly Father very often answers our prayers through other people. I am also working on opening up my own heart to the people around me, being vulnerable, and allowing the Lord to change me through others. I know God has a plan for each one of us. 

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We have been teaching the Hererra Family for a few weeks now. They recently moved to Coatepeque from Xela. They speak one of the mayan dialects, K'iche'. All the little kids speak it too. It is so cool to listen to them!

Justa (the mom) and Francisco (dad) have been going to church for about 6 months in Xela. They really want to get baptized but there are some complcations, so they are not able to quite yet. But, what amazes me, is that despite their challenges and not being able to be members quite yet, they actively serve and follow all the commandments, like paying their tithing and keeping the sabbath day holy. 

Justa's dad is a pastor of the Evangelical Church and for a long time, she was frustrated when the missionaries would come over. She did not believe in Joseph Smith or the doctrine of the church. It was difficult for her to accept it. But, one day, as she was watching the video of Joseph Smith that the missionaries brought to their house, she felt the spirit testify to her that it is true. She said that the spirit touched her in a new way and from that point forward, she has learned more about the gospel and her testimony continues to grow. Justa is a woman of elegance and strength and I really look up to her as an example to me. As she bore her testimony last week in Family Home Evening, I felt the power of her words. I know the church doctrine can seem funky from a worldly perspective, but I know that as we really try to understand it and come unto Christ, He will make all things known unto us through his holy spirit. 

Justa and Francisco allowed their son, Daniel to be baptized on Saturday. He is 11 years old and full of fun. I love the Hererra Family!

XOXO

Hermana Jessop

Do all things with great love and courage!

Amigas Mariposas :: June 6, 2016

This week has been a memorable one, marked by a lot of girl power and adventures. We are loving rainy season, always exploring in the water. I tried pure milk straight from a cow for the first time this week. I still love my area and my companion and the work of the Lord.

Hermana Meza and I have had a lot of memorable experiences with young girls and women together, learning how to be strong and virtuous and helping us all grow together in the daughters of God we were made to be. It seems that we keep running into women and teaching women and girls. We were excited to reflect on this and have claimed this upcoming week a week of awareness, women and divinity. We feel such a strong need to together help other women know that they are amazing and worthy of great things. We made shirts to celebrate this week. We wrote one side in english (because my companion is learning English) and the other in Spanish. We are so excited. I am divine! You are divine! We are divine!

We have also loved spending time with a lot of kids this week. Kids teach us a lot about life and how we can be more humble and genuine and real. I love our little kids in Dalmacia!

More updates next week!

Love you all!

XOXOX

Hermana Jessop

Our kids

The bishops twins

Sunset

"Mangos Prepared" They sell these at a lot of little stores. They cut up the mango and then put all kinds of spicy sauces and spices. It is sweet and spicy and really yummy.

Last week, we met some guys from the US Army when we were eating lunch and they invited us to come see the base. We all went today to see it for P Day. I cannot explain how powerful the experience was to be among people who have fought and risked their lives for our country. They are here to build schools and clinics right now, but many of the men and women who are here have been fighting in Iraq in combat. I have much pride in our country and I am proud to be an American. I thought about how the sacrifices we are making as missionaries are very small, being here and serving God. I cannot imagine serving God and our country and fighting in a war. SO much respect for these men and women.

Milagros (Miracles) :: May 30, 2016

As of today, I have been in Guatemala for exactly 8 months. I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone! I cannot wait to see all that happens in the next half of my mission. There is much more to learn and do.

As a mission, we have been working hard and looking in all corners of Guatemala for God's children. We have been able to see the miracles through much fasting, scripture study, prayer, diligence, hard work and faith. I have been able to learn about how important unity is amongst a group of people. It has been a really amazing experience to see how much a group of likeminded people can accomplish when focusing on God and HIS will. As a zone, we were able to break the record of the MISSION Retalhuleu! 51 baptisms! It has been such a cool experience! In Coatepeque this month, we have definitely seen countless miracles.

This week, we were all committed to working even harder and fasting and praying more diligently to find more of God's prepared children who needed His gospel in their lives. One day,  Hermana Meza and I went to a part of our area that is really far away. We didn't know why we needed to go there because in the past, we have not had a lot of success. But, we went, and a ward member, Jessica, went with us. As we went to a house, we met a girl named Rafaela who told us that she wanted to get baptized. She had been to the church in the past and has family members who are members of the church. She had been wanting to for a long time to be baptized but she lives far away from the church and has not had the means to get to church. She was baptized on Friday. It was a beautiful baptism. Rafaela is so humble, happy, and genuinely strives to do God's will. She is one of the most kindhearted people I have ever met.

It was an amazing and humbling experience to get to know Rafaela and be part of her baptism. It was humbling to know that we literally are just the Lord's hands to bringing about HIS work. If we had not gone to Rafaeala's house or had not followed the prompting, we would not have met her and seen this miracle. I think of the times when I have not followed the promptings of the spirit. It is so important and as we are worthy of the spirit and follow the promptings we receive, the Lord will lead and guide us and use us as his hands. We are just instruments he uses for the salvation of his children.

Love you all!

XOXO

Hermana Jessop

Iginia... she makes us lunch every Wednesday and gives her life to go to the temple. She has raised FOURTEEN kids and only one of them is her own. She calls them all her kids and grandkids. She has taken in anyone who does not have a home. She has a love for others unlike any other I have met.

Jesssica... a member who is always willing to visit with us and help us.

Rafaela before her baptism

Rich in Spirit :: May 23, 2016

Lexi went to a pretty waterfall on her P-day

Eating fresh bread action shot…so yummy

Doing each other’s makeup blindfolded

Sampling fruit smoothies

Butterflies.. We call ourselves ¨Amiga Mariposas¨

Hope everyone is doing well and transitioning into summer!

It has been a great week full of adventures. It is winter here, so it is just as hot but it rains a lot. I love the rain and all of our adventures. I am really loving Guatemala, my area, my companion, and I am even learning to love the tortillas here! 

I have learned quite a bit this week from the faithful, diligent members of Dalmacia. There seems to be a focus this month on women... I have met countless strong, powerful women who have taught me a lot about faith. People here are so prepared, faithful and rich in spirit. 

I cannot say that I have ever truly known what it is like to go without food for days or live on the streets or know what true poverty is. I do, however, know what it is like to be poor in spirit, to be lost from the truth. Guatemala, in turn, is a country where people are very rich in spirit. I have never seen so much poverty in my life as i have here, but I have also never met so many people so rich in spirit. 

Sister Gladys has been a member of the church for about 10 years. She is almost 60 years old and has never been married or had kids. She has had a lot of trials in her life, but she is more full of faith and love than anyone I have ever met. She does not have a lot but give literally all she has to anyone who needs it. She invited us to her house last week to do a family home evening. We went and there was a couple there she wanted us to meet. 

This couple is from El Salvador. Their names are Juan and Yanira. They left El Salvador in hopes of finding a job here in Guatemala. One day, they were walking along and asked a lady in a store if she knew of where to find work. The lady in the store told them that she did not know of work, but that the lady who lived down the street had the most love of anyone she had ever known and could help them. 

Juan and Yanira went to look for this woman and it turns out it was Sister Gladys. Gladys took them both in, two strangers who were homeless without work, to help them get back on their feet. She has introduced them to the gospel. They have already been to visit the temple two hours away and have been to church the last two weeks. We have had several meetings with them and I am absolutely amazed by the things they have experienced. 

Once again, I cannot say I have never known what it is like to have no food or be homeless or have my kids taken away from me. They have experienced all of these trials but still, they are very rich in spirit. I am amazed by their faith and trust in God and I am even more amazed by Gladys' extreme love and Christlike example to take Juan and Yanira into her house when she also has almost nothing. 

I do not doubt that there is a reason for all.. for some reason I do not yet fully know, I was born in my specific family in Alabama, in the U.S. My story, my life, it is unique to me. There is a reason for every story and every occurrence. Some of us may be born more rich in spirit and others rich as to things of the world, but it is all for a reason. 

But, no matter the hurt or suffering, no matter where we go or who we are, Jesus Christ, our brother, suffered for us, whether poor in spirit or poor in things of the world, no matter what we struggle with or the cause. He knows us individually and because he has suffered all, he can succor us in our afflictions and also in our happy moments. 

And, because of this sacrifice and suffering, we are free from the misery we can experience, whether created by our own actions, actions of others or just our life circumstances. Our Savior died for each one. I love my Savior and i will forever rejoice in all He has done for me.

I hope we can all have more love, faith, and be more willing to give what we have, like Gladys! It is all from Him who created us and all things!

Hermana Meza and I have done some fun things this week. We did something different to have something to look forward to everyday. One day, we did each other's makeup blindfolded. Another day, we went to find pan fresh out of the oven and tried smoothies. Today for P Day, we went to a waterfall!

XOXO

Hermana Jessop