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

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

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!

Mountain Life & Hania's Baptism :: September 5, 2016

Hi! Happy Labor Day!

The mission seems to get busier and busier, but it is amazing how much we learn in such a short time! We really have been seeing miracles and I am so grateful for that! God is good!

This month of September, we are doing the September Surge, which means that we are all giving out a box of copies of the Book of Mormon within the month of September. I love the challenge. We are also committing to reading the whole BOM within the month. As I have been focusing more on the BOM, I have really had it come alive in my life and felt the power. I know it is true because I have read it and I have felt its power in my life. The Book of Mormon is true! I love that every page testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ and brings us closer to Him.

Hania was baptized this weekend. It was a gigantic miracle because she has been going to church for about 4 months. She is the coolest 9 year old because she has the articles of faith memorized and reads the BOM by herself and is doing her Faith in God booklet. She comes to church by herself every week! It is so fun to watch. She loves the primary. Baptism has been her greatest wish but she has not been able to be baptized because we havent had permission and then when we did have permission to baptize her, her grandma got sick and her family was going through some hard times. But, last week, we went to her house and it was a miracle because her mom said that she was going to let her get baptized because she saw the changes in Hania. 

The baptism was amazing. The primary kids all sang to Hania and we made cookies and it was so beautiful. AND, the coolest part was that President and Sister Goodman came to our baptism!!! It was so much fun to have them there.

It was a miracle. I love being part of God's work.

Some of our investigators are Luis, Ami, Camila, Max, and Jacqueline. All are so amazing and have questions and are really thinking about the doctrine and reading the BOM with real intent.

Marisol, our convert from August is so cool!!! She goes to auto sufficiency classes every week and is now the second counselor in the primary presidency. She reads the BOM everyday and sincerely wants to constantly improve. She is a great example to me.

Our ward is also very supportive. I have never been in such a supportive ward on my mission. I am seeing how missionary work really works as its best with member support.

That is all for now. The church is true! I love my Savior and I love being a missionary!!!

love you all
xoxox
hermana jessop

Adventures :: August 1, 2016

Hi everyone!

This week has been one of many adventures. I am mostly just sending a lot of photos this week. We explored, taught, and had a baptism in a river. It was an amazing and spiritual week. 

XOXOX

Hermana Jessop

The Elders' Baptism in Chicacao

Sucely.. she feeds us lunch everyday and is the best, funniest person 

We share a ward with Elder Tumbaco and Elder Reymundo. Love them.

The hill by the Bishop's house

Learning to fly a kite

P Day activity scavenger hunt

Girls from our zone

Open Doors :: July 25, 2016

Robin and I... one of my favorite converts in the whole world 

Juana's Baptism

Hermana Hill's Birthday

The Good News About the Goodmans.. First of all, our new mission president, President Goodman, is absolutely amazing! I am so excited for all the changes that are coming to our mission. We had interviews this week. He and his wife are super incredible.

This week, JUANA got baptized!!! After 22 years of living in an abusive situation, she moved away! When we talked to her about her options a few weeks ago, she told us that she would not be moving. But then, one day, we went to her house and everything was gone. Nobody was living there. We found a family member who went and showed us where she had moved to. When we visited her, we found Juana, so full of strength and courage, moved in with a family member. She told us that she had finally realized that she needed to choose God and let him carry her. She told us that she wanted to keep all of the commandments and get baptized. She is absolutely amazing. Such an example of faith and courage!!!

Also, today is Hermana Hill's birthday. We have had a fun day, going to breakfast and celebrating together.

Life is beautiful. All is well here. 

Do all things with great love and courage!

XOXO
Hermana Jessop