Elder Scotty Pugmire's Guatemala Postings: Week 53...8/10/15...Week One of a New Year! ELDER GALICIA, the bus and Enry Gamacho

I've officially completed a year in the mission as of Thursday! I burnt a shirt with Elder Elggren. It wasn't much of a sacrifice since it was so ripped and dirty. But I was pumped to pull out two of the new shirts I've been saving in my luggage! Man, they are WHITE!!!! My other shirts are a nice brownish, yellowish, greyish color.

Me burning a shirt to celebrate a year on the mission.

Elder Elggren who came into the mission with me celebrated with me since we live in the same house!

This week was crazy! Right after I got off the computer the Assistants called me and told me that I was going home!!!! Wait no that's not right... Oh ya, they told me that my companion had emergency changes. (Gotcha didn't I?) I was sad to see him go but we spent the rest of the day saying goodbye to everyone and then bright and early in the morning, actually, it wasn't bright at all, we got on a bus and rode 3 hours to Reu where I got my new companion! ELDER GALICIA!!!! He's from Mexico and he's super cool! I met him my first chance while I was in Reu!

I'm really gonna miss shooting slingshots with Elder Tumbacco. Uncle Trav sent us two in a package, and we found the perfect use for them. So there are tons of banana trees in our areas and they are largely made of water. They have huge leaves that connect with a stalk to the tree that if you hit just right with a rock from a slingshot.... they break and fold down. It's pretty satisfying. This week was my week to catch up with Elder Tumbacco who was ahead of me by one leaf.

Elder Tumbaco

Presidente Ruiz drove me and my companion and Elder Perieda, my grandpa in the mission, to our areas. On the ride home, he told me congratulations on the Book of Mormon test. I said thanks. Then he asked me if I knew I was the one with the highest score in the entire mission! I WAS BLOWN AWAY! I thought it was just a coincidence that my name showed up first on the list!! Not gonna lie though I was pretty pumped!

So we got back to our areas and we started to work.

This week we have been working a lot on opening our mouths to let everyone know about the restored gospel. I had an amazing experience! On Wednesday we had to leave our area to go to San Marcos at night so we could be in Xela early the next morning. The bus that was supposed to leave at 7 but didn't leave till 8:15 A guy was sitting next to me when I woke up from a short nap of waiting and I instantly had the thought to talk to him. So I did but our conversation died. But I had another impression to talk to him again so I did and that lead to me and him having a 2 and a half-hour conversation about the church. I almost taught him all of the lessons we have to teach. He soaked every word in with so much intent and just amazement. I challenged him to go to the church that is near his house and he said he would definitely be there. And then I challenged him to get baptized and he accepted as well!!! I was so blown away! Such a prepared person! He asked soooo many amazing questions! His name is Henry Gamacho and now if all goes well he should be a possible baptism with his wife this month for those in San Marcos. I was so happy to be able to be a part of God's great work helping him get to know the restored gospel.

Xela was good and the Taco Bell was even better. I went on divisions to San Rafael and they were great as well.

Me and Elder ZARATE IN XELA WITH TB!!!!!!

First Taco bell in Xela! It's been sooo long!!!!

The next biggest part of the week was the Sacrament meeting. I was asked to give a talk on the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I just felt so powerful and the Spirit was so strong there. The language just flowed out and I was using words that I didn't even know existed... I hope that everyone understood me..... But I would just have words come to my mind as I was testifying and they came out. It was such a great week full of The Spirit.

I love this Church. It's true. I love this Gospel and this work.

I have currently memorizing The Living Christ and it's amazing. I know He lives, and I know He loves us.

I love you all and miss you a ton!

Love,

Elder Pugmire

I was soooo tired yesterday I fell asleep taking dats(datos or key indicators from the mission) from my district and I called them all super late. I just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.