Missionary Work :: April 3, 2017

Hi Everyone!

Great week. I loved General Conference, especially President Uchtdorf's talk about fear. It really amazed me. I want to live by love, not by fear!

I love being a missionary. I have really learned a lot lately about how important our relationship with God is. Many times, we want blessings, like we want to be richer, more attractive or fit, get a certain job, etc. I feel like many times in my life, I have tried so hard to achieve things by my own strength. What I am learning more than anything lately is that Jesus Christ is the answer to everything. Everything is spiritual.. even temporal things! Things that have helped me to strengthen my relationship with my Father in Heaven are daily scripture study, prayer, and striving everyday to be humble and do the Lord's will.

I know that true confidence ONLY comes from a strong relationship with God. We feel sure, happy, open, loved, and calm when our relationship with the Father is in the right place. This is an answer I have looked for for a long time and hope it can help someone else too!

We are teaching some really amazing people named Abril, Alan and Claudia. They are a very special family. They love going to church and reading the Book of Mormon.

I hope everyone has a great week! Love you all!!!

XOXO
Hna Jessop

Photos...
Amazing baptism for the most prepared family in San Francisco, Mazate
Fruit Season
200 Quetzal Bill
The Gonzalez Family
Alan, April and Claudia, some of our investigators. LOVE THIS FAMILY

The Best Kind of March Madness :: March 20, 2017

It has been a great week. It has been super busy, but really great! The best kind of march madness. I have been feeling a lot of gratitude lately. I am grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ, serving the most amazing, loving Guatemalan people.

Everyday, I am learning more about the importance of talking with everyone we meet, teaching with spirit, and studying the Book of Mormon daily. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has especially grown. We have been focusing a lot on studying the Book of Mormon, reading at least 15 pages a day. Every time I read the BOM, I feel a special power come into my life. I know the BOM is true!

We are seeing a lot of miracles in our area! On Wednesday morning, my companion and I had a really great study and then prayed to have the spirit testify through us and lead us to the prepared people. Our first appointment was with a guy named Marcello. We had contacted him the week before but he didn't seem very interested. We went back for the appointment to see what would happen and when we got there, he was waiting for us, having read his pamphlet about the Restoration. He said that he has been looking for answers for years and wants to find relief from his sins! He said that we came just at the right time and that he wants to learn more, that this is exactly what he has been looking for. We were able to teach him all of the Restoration. The spirit was very strong. It was a lesson I will never forget. Definitely an answer to prayers.

Later in the week, we contacted a family in the street and then made an appointment to go back with them later on in the week. We went back on Saturday and the family was waiting for us and had read the whole pamphlet! It was a miracle! The spirit is working through us. I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands.

A couple of weeks ago, Mario was baptized. Mario is a 26 year old who sells ice cream! We found him one night just sitting outside of an investigator's house. He looked a little down and when we talked to him, he wasn't extremely receptive, but accepted a return appointment the following day. When we went back, he had read his pamphlet and said that he was ready to change. He, to me, is an example of a very prepared person. From that moment forward, he began to diligently study the Doctrine of Christ, repent and leave old habits, and prepare to be baptized. He then entered baptismal waters. He brought 6 investigators to his baptism and asks us how he can share the gospel!

Mario is still progressing very well. I am really grateful to be a part of his conversion. He received the Aaronic priesthood this past Sunday and is excited to participate in passing the sacrament. We also challenged him to read the the BOM and we thought he would start out reading a few chapters, but when we came back a few days later, he had read up to page 61! It was amazing. He has such a desire to learn and grow.

We are also enjoying sharing the gospel with youth. Every Sunday, we have been doing a small meeting with youth in our ward. It is just an hour and we talk about personal conversion and the missionary lessons. We also make them do missionary practices. It is fun to see them be missionaries! Then, after the meeting, they go visit their references with us. It is one of my favorite times of the week.

Everyday is not perfectly easy. People reject us, it is hot outside, there are a lot of bugs, we are tired, but, I wouldn't change it for the world. I get the best job in the world... I am a representative of Jesus Christ. My testimony of Jesus Christ is unshakeable. I know this church is true. I know my Savior lives and leads and directs the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Thank you all for supporting me!

XOXO
Sis Jessop

Mario's baptism 

P Day waterfall activity

MARZO! :: March 6, 2017

Happy March!

This week has brought many lessons. It has been the busiest but also one of the best weeks of my mission. I just started my last transfer of my mission here in Guatemala. Crazy!

Maria Jose was baptized this week! She is such a sweet little girl who just wants to choose the right. Her mother is a member but has not been to church in a while. It has been really amazing to see how her family has supported her during her learning and preparation for her baptism. We pray that her desire to improve and grow will help her family to also come unto Christ.

I said goodbye to my two companions, Hna Hill and Hna Hopper. They both ended their missions. We got to have Hna George stay with us her last night too! It was so awesome being with some of the best missionaries I have ever known on their last night of their missions! We all were at the baptism together. What a beautiful evening!

My new companion is Hna McGuire. She is from Oklahoma. I am amazed by how patient, calm and happy she is. I have so much to learn from her!

We are still loving it here in Pedregal. Mario is an investigator who we found contacting a couple of weeks ago. We had been teaching his neighbor, who didn't progress very much, but it turns out that we needed to be over there so we could meet Mario! He loves church, the Book of Mormon and has a strong desire to change his life. I am amazed by him! He has such a willing and strong heart. He has accepted to be baptized the 18th of March.

One of the other weekly adventures was that we had to take a bus to the capitol on Saturday night and then came back Sunday morning. We were nervous that we wouldn't make it back on time for church, considering it is a 4 hour bus ride from the capitol to where we are at, but the Lord worked it all out. We got to the church 5 minutes before it started. It was such a tender mercy!

There isn't time to list all the moments from this week, but what I want to testify is that Jesus Christ lives and knows us personally. Even when we have a lot to do and life is pretty crazy, if we lean on the Lord, everything works out. When I feel exhausted, I feel the Lord carrying me. If we do our part, He does his. He wants to bless us!

I love being a missionary. I love my Savior.

Well, that is all for now.

I love you all!

XOXO
Sis Jessop

Chosen :: January 9, 2017

Hi!

It has been another great week. Time is going by so quickly!

One of my favorite people to teach right now is a less active family.. the Gonzalez family. The parents are named Pati and Sergio. I love teaching them because they are very ready to learn and always read what we leave them out of the BOM and everything. It brings joy to teach prepared people who want to learn and grow.

I am learning that prepared people or chosen people are not who the Lord has chosen.. they are people who have chosen the Lord. This principle applies to every single one of us, not just investigators. If we choose the Lord, He chooses us and qualifies us for his work. WE choose whether or not we are chosen.

I talked to some missionaries who are in my first area of my mission right now and said that some twins we were teaching a year ago are now getting baptized. I was really, really excited because I didn't think we had made a difference in their lives! It turns out that they just weren't ready then but now are ready and can get baptized! So cool!

That is all for now. Have a great week!

xoxo,
hna jessop

Miracle Work :: October 10, 2016

Hi!

It has been a super week. I still love refried black beans and the mountains part of the mission. Missionary work is my favorite work. I love being a missionary. The most impòrtant thing is our own obedience and diligence. The Lord does all the work as long as we are wiling to be His instruments and do what He wants us to do. We are here because Jesus Christ cannot be. Serving a mission is the best thing I have ever done. I do not think I understood what happiness was before my mission.

Things I have learned this week...

• Creativity comes from the spirit
• There is a huge link between confidence and humility. Humility is not self -deprivation
• Don't ever sacrifice what you want for what you want right now
• The Lord always provides a way for us to accomplish what He asks of us
• The Golden Rule does not just apply to actions. It applies to everything. We should treat, think about, and love others in the way we want to be treated, thought about, loved, and judged
• If we are doing our best, the Lord's grace always covers us. We don't have to be perfect. We just have to try.

Ami and her sons are still progressing and are going to be baptized this weekend!!!! We are so happy because we have seen so many changes in their family. I cannot describe the joy from seeing them change and love the gospel.

Today for P Day, we played volleyball and had a barbecue. We wore our matching shirts from the woman's conference with our names on them. That was cool. Things are fun in the mountains because it is not so hot! It feels like Utah in the spring in the daytime.

Love you all!
Hna Jessop

George and Joseph's Mountain Adventures :: October 3, 2016

Hola!

This has been one of those weeks that remind a missionary why they are a missionary. It has been remarkable and enriching.

I completed a year in the field! Crazy how fast time goes! The pictures I have attached are of some nice things some of the sisters gave me for my year. It was really sweet! The pictures are funny, but they are all we have for this week. Ha... I love my companion! She is the best!

We had a women's conference with all the sisters in the mission. It was fantastic because we had a psychologist come and talk about self-image, happiness and other mental-health topics. I thought it was very helpful, considering that most women struggle with self-esteem. I was grateful I had the opportunity to teach the sisters about healthy eating and exercise. It was fun to be with all the sisters and see everyone.

I learned more about the power of the Book of Mormon as well. This month in our mission, we have been focusing more on the Book of Mormon and with it, I made a choice to read the BOM in September, from start to finish. It was a little hard at first, but as the days went on throughout the month, I began to really see the power and difference in my day and how I felt as I made reading the BOM more of a priority. The stories really came alive as I read chapter after chapter and got to know the prophets.

I was on exchanges with Hna Clifford on Friday and we met a guy named Obispo sitting outside his house on a hammock. We started talking to him and learned that he has had a lot of trials in his life. He asked us why such bad things happen to good people and why there are so many difficulties in life. Automatically, we felt the prompting to pull out the BOM and turn to 2 Nephi 2 where it talks about the Plan of Salvation and how there is opposition in all things.

He stopped reading and was struck by the power of the scripture. He told us that nobody had ever been able to answer his question in that way and that he knew it was true. He said he felt that it was God speaking to him, that the scripture was profound, not just something pretty or nice. He wanted to know more about the book we read from, so we left him the BOM and made an appointment to return with him. I learned about the power of the BOM, how it can answer every single question we have, whether it is a temporal or spiritual question. I also learned about the importance of teaching to the investigator's needs.

I also saw the power of how members and missionaries need to work together. Missionaries are full-time teachers and members are full-time finders. A member, Juan Carlos, introduced us to his friend, Rigo. Rigo is 25, lives alone, and has been searching for more meaning in his life. We visited Rigo this week and challenged him to be baptized. He accepted and said it is time for him to change. He wants to give up smoking and drinking. He went to the priesthood session of conference on Saturday and the afternoon session on Sunday. He said he really enjoyed it and we are returning with him this week! Juan Carlos, the member, is super helping us and is Rigo's greatest supporter. This is why we need members who share the gospel! We are all miracles. I hope everyone at home can think of someone they know and give the reference to the missionaries. That is how missionary work should be! Miracles!

One of the very best moments of the week was seeing Ami and her entire family come to church. We have never been able to get her and all of her sons to church together, but they all showed up as a family and came early. We went to her house later and she told us that she loved the conference and knows the church is true. She said that she has never felt like she does now in her entire life, that she feels unstoppable peace and joy and is ever looking back. Her oldest son, who is a member wants to serve a mission and has the Aaronic Priesthood and will be able to baptize his mom and two brothers.

Walking away from their house, Hna George and I could not contain ourselves. We are in love!!!! We love this family. I know that there is no greater joy than being able to participate in the joy of bringing a soul unto Christ. I have never felt so much true, lasting joy in my life. The church is true!!!! I am now understanding more of what my brother-in-law, Braden told me before my mission, that there is nothing like seeing how the Atonement can change someone's life.

I am happy. The Church is true. I love the Plan of Salvation. I know my Savior lives and makes it possible for us to be happy here and now!! Like Elder Nelson taught in conference, we were made to have JOY!

Love always!
XOXO
Hna Jessop

Mountain Life :: September 26, 2016

Helllooo!

It is getting colder here in the mountains. Sometime it gets down to 30 degrees, which is super weird because I came from a really warm part of the mission. They feed us a lot of food here, so we are thickening up for the cold, but it is worth the health sacrifice for serving the Lord! Oh, and you could say there is no more mouse in our house... Also, my camera has not been working, so I won't be sending as many photos!

Time is going so quickly. I have no idea where August or September have gone. The last year has gone by super quickly. I have learned so much and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission!

This week, Camila was baptized. She has been coming to church for about 3 months. She has wanted to get baptized but was not 18 and did not have permission from her dad, so she could not. We have been praying for an opportunity to talk to her dad, but it had not come. This last week, we went and her dad was home! I had only met him one other time in 3 months. Camila went in and talked to her dad and it was like he had a change of heart and was so willing to let her get baptized. It was incredible. So, she was baptized this Saturday!

Ami is still progressing. We were so happy when she came to the women's conference on Saturday. Her kids are now going to church too. Before, they were pretty shy and did not talk to us, but now, we are all like a big, happy family. I love that family!!!

All is well here. I know the church is true and I can't describe the joy I feel from being able to serve the Lord and open my mouth to share His gospel. I love my Savior!!!

Love,
Hermana Jessop

Happy Happy Happy :: September 19, 2016

Hi!

What a week! I am happier than ever. Even though some days are really hard, the good days make up for everything. I love being a missionary. Can't say it enough. We have fleas and a mouse living in our house, but that doesn't even matter, because I love being a missionary.

This week, my companion had transfers and Hna George came to be my companion. She is from Layton, Utah. She is absolutely incredible and I am so happy to be her companion!!!! She is an excellent missionary. We get to work together with the other sisters between our zone and the other and I am super excited for the opportunity. Happppy!!

We have seen a lot of miracles this week. One of our investigators, Ami, loves the gospel and really has a testimony of it. She really wants to get baptized with her two sons, so we are working with them, too. Before, they wouldnt even talk to us, but now, her sons come and listen to her too. They are 12 and 17 years old. I love their family. We are convinced that they will be strong converts of the church.

I will write more later. Love you alll!!!

XOXOXOXO
Hna Jessop

Missionary Miracles :: September 12, 2016

Another amazing week. All the ups and downs of missionary life are endlessly worth it for the experiences we get to live. I am constantly grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. I love it!

I have learned a lot about the idea of sacrifice this week. I have been thinking of ways I can more fully dedicate myself to the Lord in the time I have left and as I have sought answers, I have come to the answer of sacrifice. I think of the Book of Mormon when they buried their weapons because they had made a covenant with God and did not want to fight. How can we all bury our weapons in the Earth to fully serve the Lord and give up things we do not really need? 

This week, Jacki got baptized. It was a huge miracle because she has been going to church for about a year and could not get baptized because her dad would not give her permission. But, she came up to us on Sunday and told us she wanted to get baptized. It was amazing. The day of the baptism, we had about every possible thing go wrong. We went to fill the baptismal font in the morning becuase it usually needs to fill all day and we came back in the afternoon and there was not electricity or water in the entire church building. It was crazy. BUT, after everything, we bought 30 jugs of water and filled the baptismal font. It was super funny and fun! I learned that the adversary is real. After all the many kinks, she got baptized and it was the best baptism I have ever been to, so full of the spirit!!

There are so many stories to tell every week, but there is not a lot of time, so this is all I can write for now. This week, my companion has transfers, so I will be getting a new companion tomorrow. I am going to miss my companion but the work must move forward!

I know my savior lives and I love Him so so much. I know that as we consecrate our lives to the Lord, He blesses us immensely and most importantly, He allows us to be instruments in His hands and help others. This is where true happiness and joy comes from. 

Love you!!!! XXOXO

Hermana Jessop

Making our 11 month fort

Jacki's Baptism

Buying water jugs to fill the baptismal font

Typical clothing

Hermana Gunderson, Elder Kahl and I.. My first zone leader and assistant to the president, a great example and missionary. We are going to miss him!

Some of our investigators! Love them!

I finally got my birthday packages! They were stuck in the capitol and we had to send lawyers to get them. This is me and my bishop. He got them for me!

Birthday and Valle Real :: August 22, 2016

Hi!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! It was a fun day. I especially loved having my birthday on a Sunday because I was able to go to church and see all the ward family. One of our investigators, Ami, gave me a skirt for my birthday. She is amazing!!! In the night, another investigator, Hania, bought a cake and they sang to me and pushed my face in the cake (a Guatemalan tradition). It was a really fun day. We have the very best investigators and members. My companion, Hermana Gunderson, and some other missionaries made me fun cards and called. Today, we came back from running in the morning and Hermana Hill and Hermana Rosas from our zone had made us breakfast to celebrate! It was such a great day and especially amazing to reflect on my Savior and have the opportunity to have another year of life and celebrate in the mission field. Thanks everyone for thinking of me! 

It has been a great week. I love my area. We have the coolest investigators and members.

We have seen a lot of changes in our mission since President Goodman has come. All the changes are so inspired and our mission is really moving in a great direction. One of the biggest changes is a change in focus on helping to baptize people who will live in the gospel and be converts, not just numbers. That was always the goal, but as humans, it is easy to lose our purpose. The mission was great before, but we are focusing on being better, with more obedience, diligence, and love, focusing more on people's needs and genuinely helping them come unto Christ.

In this week's leadership meeting, we broke the glass plaque of all the mission numbers and records. It gave me chills. We have changed the mission to be one more focused on people... missionaries helping people come unto Christ. It gave me chills. I am happy to be part of the change. It feels so refreshing.

Another cool part of the week was that Hna Gunderson and I were able to give stress management workshops to the missionaries. I was so happy! I love teaching about health and well being.

Ami, the coolest investigator in the world, is still progressing and really has seen the changes in her life by living the gospel. She is like our mother here and is always watching out for us. She is a single mom of 3 boys and we have really been able to see the changes in herself and her boys.

I love being a missionary. I know my Savior lives. He died for us. He wants us to be happy. He is always here for us, no matter what. Because of Him, we have hope for a better future!

Remember... there are two types of people... those who we love and those whose story we don't know. 

I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Hermana Jessop

Getting ice cream on one of our many trips to the coast with our fun zone leaders

The Mountains

Hna Gunderson and I with Elder Myers, an elder from our group.. He is like our brother.