Week 41...5/18/14...I've never worked so hard in my life.

Here's the 1000th tortilla photo I don't think I sent it.

Oh! Also this Saturday we spent like 5 hours helping some investigators build a house! It was crazy! Sooooo tedious everything is done by hand! We had to tie wire for sooooo many little tiny iron clamps. I'm sure dad knows the correct terms but that's what we did!

The guys we helped in the background. They didn't have a hat big enough for my head but the sun was so hot so that's what I used.

Hey guys! So I'm writing a little late and short for what happened today. But I'll tell you why in a second.

So this week we started out kinda crazy. We wanted these two girls we were working with to get baptized. They love coming to church with Hna Francisca but when we went to do the interview they totally backed out but I think it's because they're just really shy.  Right after they said they didn't want anything to do with it we met this one girl who as soon as we got done talking to Celeste and Andis about Baptism was like ''Well I want to get baptized! Can I get baptized in their place?'' We told her we would work with her this week and next week and then she could because she's been to the church a few times before! Then the other two girls told us that they would get baptized if the other girl did too! So we're gonna be working really hard with them this week!

Also this Thursday I did divisions with Elder Dial. It was awesome we headed home to our area late because the bus got delayed and we had this let down with Celeste and Andis and then we had another lesson with Gloria a lady that came to church with her 5 kids the other week. She told us she didn't think she could be baptized again into another church. But after talking to her for a little bit more she told us that she felt like she hadn't been praying with the faith necessary to get an answer from God whether or not our message was true. But she told us she would do it in the night. So Elder Dial and I went home feeling like we had a kinda unsuccessful day so we indulged in peanut butterballs and smoothie in the night and morning.

The next day Elder Lagos and I went back to talk to Gloria. And we had an amazing lesson. She told us that what we had taught her the night before really inspired her. She said she always had been praying for guidance and that she realized that God had guided us to her house. Then she for the first time asked in her prayer if our message was true. She told us she just felt this feeling of peace and the presence of God. And that she knew that it was true. Now we just need to help her understand the need to be baptized by someone who has authority.

Also, we have another awesome investigator! We met this kid just on the street where he works selling gasoline. Pretty strange here, people just fill up jugs of gas, I'm not really sure from where, but then sit on the side of the road selling it. I gave him a Book of Mormon a few weeks ago and he told us he's already on page 200!!! In Rural Guatemala.... that just doesn't happen! He says he loves the book and has marked a ton of stuff in it! He's so prepared and we still haven't had a real sit down lesson with him! It's amazing!

I also have to tell you about this investigator named Yanet.  She's a reference we got in family home evening. She had an experience in her other church where the Pastors were asking everything from the people like usual: food, cars, money, houses, more money. It's ridiculous how much they make and how much the people are willing to give them. It makes me sick! But this lady is super poor and the Pastor told her that to listen in church she had to donate a bench. She told him she didn't have money and so he told her she could listen to him teach on the floor. So she left that church and now loves the true Church of Jesus Christ. She can't read but loves the Hymn ''Families Can be Together Forever.'' YouTube Video of this song  She came to the family conference and church on Sunday with a friend too! She's sooo prepared and amazing!

Eduardo is also another fantastic investigator we found this week! We had been teaching this girl that is like 15 and we went to go meet the parents to get permission to teach and baptize her if she would desire. But the dad (Eduardo) was so interested we ended up just teaching him. We taught lesson one the restoration and he just caught it soooo quickly. He told us later when I asked him what called his attention. And he said all of it. I gave him a Book of Mormon in the Conference on Sunday and he told me he would read it from start to finish. He loved the theme of the family at the conference and I just know he's going to progress with his family in the church so quickly.

So the story of today, Saturday and Sunday. . . Saturday we left to REU to do our Hawaiian dance in the stake activity, and then we spent the night in Champe.  We woke up early to get to El  Codo and went to go try to bring an investigator to church. We got to church without anyone. But then on the bus, Hna Francisca brought 3 of her grandchildren and a friend and Yanet came with her daughter. Also, a member brought another investigator! So that was awesome! Then in the night, we went to Champe again for a conference from the Presidencia de Area about strengthening families. This week was a family week where there was specific activity every day to help families. This conference was the perfect thing to end it. Yanet, Eduardo, Brenda, and Sharon (the friend and daughter of Yanet) all came and loved it. Then we headed directly to REU to spend the night in the office house. It was kind of funny.  The assistants organized the cots like a hotel with little shampoo packets towels and shower shoes to stay the night. Then we got up at 330am to go get on a bus for the Capital. My comp had to sign some papers there for his Visa. It's a 4-hour drive one way so we didn't get back till around 5.

Stake Activity

But that's the week... Wow, this email actually turned out pretty long. But hopefully, you all can see how The Lord blesses those who are diligent and work hard. I've never worked so hard in my life. My comp and I get home and fall asleep at our desk planning for the next day. And then do it all again. But I love it. I know this work is true and that Christ lives. Love you all thanks for all of the Prayers and support!

Love,

Elder Pugmire


In response to his mother's letter . . .

No, I don't think anything happened Wednesday night..... I'm doing great! But thanks for the prayers I really can feel when they come! Don't worry about water. I never once have been hungry here in my area because all I want to drink is water. I go through about 8 gallons of water in a week. That's a lot. That crazy Zeus. . . haha. Mentally noted. I will be living out of the house. Haha Mom your letters have me laughing! But I for sure will be very meticulous about the person I marry.  I've still got a while though! That's so awesome for Zac! How did he do or how did he think he did? It usually is around 95 degrees to 100 all day every day. We don't have a thermometer to check ever.  I love the analogy of the trailer park!  Francisca is super awesome and now is bringing all of the grandchildren that we are trying to offer baptism to them as well but they're all a little shy and last week it fell through. But thanks for the letter Mom! love you!