EFY 2012 - Give It All To Him

Week 6&7...9/22/2014...From the CCM to San Pablo

Hey guys sorry I didn´t get to email you all last week! So this is what my last couple of weeks look like...

Twenty Six new missionaries for the REU Mission

Elder

So I believe it was Tuesday that we got up at 5am and then got ready to go to the missions. We ate breakfast and said our last goodbyes to everyone. Then we loaded into the vans and headed on our way. Man the Guatemala countryside is amazing! I forgot to bring my camera so I´ll send photos next week! Anyway, we drove past a few volcanoes and then got to the mission center where we met our president. President Ruiz and Hermana Ruiz is awesome! They gave us a bunch of devotionals and fed us, Burger  King! How's that for our first meal!?

Then we had dinner at the mission home which is super nice. And then we spent the night in hotels that were more or less super sketchy.  Elder Mattson and I were worried that our fan was going to fall off during the night, but it was way too hot to turn it on. Then the next day was changes, but there were like 40 missionaries who were super late because a bunch of people started a protest and blocked the two main roads. So I didn't meet my companion till later that day.

Elder Jensen, His parents were in Jeff and EmRee's 1st BYU Married Student Ward

My companion is super cool his name is Elder Lagos and he speaks hardly any English. He's from Costa Rica and a huge futbalista. He´s only been on his mission for 7 months but he seems like a really good missionary. We went to drive up to our area but got caught up in the traffic of the roadblocks. We drove on the wrong side of the road past probably 10 miles of parked cars. (Don't worry it's pretty normal here...the driving on the wrong side of the road.) The traffic here is crazy but everyone is a super defensive driver because everyone drives crazy! Anyway, we drove until both sides were backed up and waited for an hour and a half until the police cleared it all up. We got to Malacatan a little late so we stayed the night with Elders Fickes from the MTC and Vences. Then since we had baptisms lined up the next Saturday I went on splits with the ZL Elder Black and the other one went to got to San Pablo to do the interviews. 

The next day all we did was go around and look for houses because we had a pair of sister missionaries coming with no house.

Mi Companero Elder Lagos

Once we found one we moved all of their stuff in and then cleaned it up. The houses here are super sketchy on the outside but actually pretty nice once you get inside. Most don´t have sinks. They have what they call pilas which is their version of a sink. They're usually made of cement with 2 washboards on each side and a big bin for water in the middle. They're actually super nice! The next day I finally got to my area in San Pablo.

We are sharing the house with two other missionaries.  Both Elders Gonzales and Gavarette are Latino so English has rapidly been replaced with all Spanish.

There is a decent amount of members here but a lot are less active. Everywhere we go people always say "Hi" to the elders. The little kids love us. They don't care who you are but as long as you're an Elder they´ll run up and give you a big hug. They're way harder to understand because they talk super fast and it's so tough. Everyone here is way nice and everyone you see on the street you greet with a "Buenos tardes, or noches or dias" or some other greeting. We played soccer with a bunch of investigators. And my companions seemed pretty pleased with my ability to play even though I´m not that good.

Everyone here has a super hard time saying my name it's pretty funny. I now go by Elder Puck Mire or Elder Pack Man or Elder Pug-Mirror-Ay. But other than that life is good every day I understand more and more. Today was P-day and we all headed to Malacatan with all of our zones to play basketball it was super fun!

The very first day in the area I was a little shell shocked. All Spanish, new town, new food. Holy cow it's crazy. But we went to the church and there were tons of little kids who just ran up gave me hugs. They love the new local white guy. They're even harder to understand though. Eventually, I realized they wanted me to play tag. I thought, "you know I can do that, no Spanish required." So I played tag with these primary kids. It was just what I needed, a little tender mercy and blessing from Heavenly Father.

The transportation here is mostly buses, vans, and tuk-tuks, which are just 3 wheeled little buggies which are sweet! The members feed us usually every lunch and most dinners which are super nice. It´s rained every day here and we just kind of walk everywhere in it. No umbrellas or raincoats. The lightning here is amazing. We´re having a storm right now and the power went out and deleted a bunch of my emails. But it's soooo loud I love it but my companion is always worried he´s gonna get stuck. I told him if that happens he´s one in a million. I´m loving it here and things are looking brighter every day.

Love,

Elder Pugmire

I never received any packages or any letters except for one from Julia via dear Elder .com so just thought id tell you. Hope all is well and everyone is doing great! Love you!

Editors note:  He did get emails just not snail mail.  All letters are appreciated!
 You can send mail to:

Elder Scott Pugmire
Guatemala Retalhuleu mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City Ut 84130-0150
(These letters need to be regular envelope size with one stamp)

Packages and other letters can be sent to:

Elder Scott Kayson Pugmire
Mision Guatemala Retalhuleu
Boulevard Centenario, Zona 2, Salida
a Coatepeque
Apartado Postal No. 26
Retalhuleu Guatemala
C.A. 11001

Some packages will require you to have the mission office phone number 502 7771-2325

Week 5...9/9/2014...The Twelve Mateos and Relief Map

9-9-2014

The Twelve Mateos

Man, the weeks are flying by! Only one more week till I get on a bus to go into Reu! This week was such a blast! We got to go into the city for P-Day and it was amazing! We went to eat at Wendy's. Man, I don’t remember a burger ever tasting so good. It was like the nicest Wendy's I’ve ever seen too! They had a Foosball table and comfy couches. When we ordered food they had it out to you before you even left the counter, they were so fast! They even clear away your trash as we ate and took our trays! You all are missing out on this fast-food experience!

 We also went to the Relief map that is a 3D map of all of Guatemala!  It was possibly one of the coolest things I've ever seen! It was built in 1904 or something like that and it is so awesome! You all should look it up so you know what I’m talking about!

Editor's note:  Here's a quick youtube video  Relief Map Guatemala   and some info for school projects  Relief Map Info  

It took them 16 years of surveying on horseback to gather enough information, and it’s like 90% accurate! It’s incredible! Then we drove around the city and took tons of pictures! So we got our cameras for an hour and then had to give them back before we got into the CCM.

 We went to the Central Market and got to see all of the meat delicately displayed on hooks right out in the open. You could definitely tell which animal they came from. Then upstairs the market was incredible! They had just tons of artisan goods! I obviously have to work on my bartering skills though. I think a big part of it is just not understanding what people are saying to me.  

I bought a sweet Guatemala jersey and a wooden flute that is ridiculously hard to play because I don’t know any fingerings but it was like 25 quets so it was totally worth it!

Besides P-day we got a new volleyball! So finally we can start playing again! I love it here. The spirit is always so strong. We started this thing in our district where we go around and compliment one companionship at a time. We have such an amazing brotherhood. I'm so glad that most of them are going to my mission. But I'm going to miss a lot of other people!

So my friend has his card so he sent me some pictures (Thank you Elder Elggren!)

The pictures are all from the relief map I think and so it’s pretty sweet!

I love and miss you guys but I wouldn't trade this for the world. I've learned so much and can't wait to start changing people’s lives! The Church of Jesus Christ is so true; I have no doubts that anything in this restored gospel is wrong. Keep being positive in every aspect of life! Attitude is half the battle of life.
 Love, Elder Pugmire

Handwritten Letters

Handwritten Letter #1 received 9/4/14

Hey Pugmire Clan!

I always think getting mail is so fun so here's a little more than just an email!  I thought I had just run you through my typical day here at the CCM.

I wake up at 6:30 AM, pray then get dressed and head to the classroom.  There me and the rest of my district study from seven to 8:30 AM when we have breakfast till 9:00.  Then we have TALL which is 30 min on the computer to help learn Spanish.  Then we have another hour to study Spanish.  Then our teachers come in and teach us either something about how to be a good teacher or grammar in Spanish.  Then we have lunch for 45 minutes.  Then we have an hour to teach.  Usually thirty minutes for two companionship's or if it's not your teaching day you get to prepare for your next lesson or companion study.  We teach our teachers who are our investigators and we have to find their needs and teach according to those.  Right now we are teaching a girl named Veronica and a guy named Manaces.  I was teaching most of the lessons just because I'm a little more practiced at Spanish but I've  tried to make it now so both of us teach 50/50.  Then we switch teachers at 4:00 and have dinner at 5:00.  Then another hour of teaching then more instruction by our teachers.  Hermano Mendez is our night teacher and he is absolutely Hilarious!  Everything he says makes us laugh.  Then we have snack and finish up our instructional period.  Then we plan from 9-9:30 and then head to our rooms, read scriptures and write in our journals.  Oh!  I forgot Deportes!  Deportes are from 10:30-12 when we have 1 hour to work out and then shower before lunch. 

It's awesome here!  I'm learning so much Spanish as well as gospel stuff! 

Make sure your all reading your scriptures every night and day and praying every night and morning!  I think about you all every night and always have you in my prayers.  Love you and miss you all. . .

Love, Elder Scotty K. Pugmire

P.S. Please send the other letter to Cadet Andrew Mikulski.

Handwritten Letter #3. . . written 9/9/14. . . Individual notes to Family

Hey Pugmire Family!

I didn't have much time to write all of you individually so I thought I'd just do that in this letter.  But for me, I'm doing GREAT!  Today during deportes it was an absolute blast because it rained super hard!  So we played volleyball for a long time in the rain!  My hands are still super pruney and it's been like an hour!  I've only got a week left here which is just insane but I can't wait to get out in the field.  Anyway individuals . . .

Mom, I Just wanted to say thanks so much for all that you do.  You've been the best mom ever.  Thanks for always cooking and cleaning and raising me so well.  It's hard for me to see some of the guys in my District struggling so hard.  But I've been doing great because of everything you taught me and I'm so happy for that.  I spend most of my time looking for the person who looks the most down that day and try to pick them up a little bit.  I love you so much and miss you a TON!  Love your son, Elder Pugmire

Dad,  Thanks for everything you've done for me from coaching teams to being at my games and ceremonies to working all the time so I can participate in all of the events I do.  You are an amazing Dad.  The love you have for Mom and for each of us is really humbling for me.  I hope one day that I can be as good as a Dad as you are!  I love you so much and thanks for always being such a great example of a worthy Priesthood holder in our family.  It's blessed our lives so much!  I love and miss you so much.  Love, Elder Pugmire

Dear Zac,  I hope that your writing in your journal a lot because you're gonna look back on somethings and realize how much you've grown!  The biggest advice I have for you is to keep a positive attitude.  The difference between good and bad missionaries here is that they have a good attitude or not.  Keep doing the little things to prepare.  Pray both night and morning!  Love everyone you can!  I love you so much and want the absolute best for you!  Love your Big Brother,  Elder Pugmire

Dear Allie,  I hope that you're having a blast in high school!  It's super fun but make sure that you are always doing your absolute best to do all of your school work.  Make a ton of friends and always smile!  You never know whose day you'll make.  Be Anna's best friend.  Love your brother, Elder Pugmire

Dear Anna,  I heard you got asked to homecoming.  That's crazy!  Remember who you are:  first a child of God, second a part of our family, third a student at Eastview, and fourth a friend to others.  Have a blast in school and best luck!  Love, Elder Pugmire

Dear Grant,  It sounds like you're doing great with sports.  Keep up the hard work!  Love you buddy!  Be sure to say your prayers every day!  Love, Elder Pugmire

P.S. Please send the attachment to Andrew

Letter to Andrew...9/24/14

So Scotty often sends me letters to mail to his friends. I have never read them. I also have access to his email account and I never read that. Who has time to spy on their children? However this week I felt I should open the letter.  Good thing I did as Zac told me he had known about this for a while but was under brothers code not to tell... I was laughing so hard I was crying.  I hope you enjoy a laugh too!  Don't worry JaDee, I already talked to him about this!  Thanks so much for being wonderful brothers! I love all of you!

I'm on my week and out! I'm so pumped to get out! I mean the CCM is amazing but I feel like I'm not doing much here. I can't wait for next week to get to my mission to actually start teaching and spreading the word! I feel like my Spanish is decent but nowhere where I hope to be. But I know I'm going to pick it up even faster in the field.

Today was so much fun. We got a volleyball and we had a net so we played that like all day. Then it just started pouring and they just let us play volleyball in the rain! It was honestly one of the best things ever! All of our clothes are just absolutely soaking and we don't have laundry day till Thursday!

Okay so my roommate is from Vegas and he says there are people on the strip were just trash but still make a ton of money. He said that we could for sure make it down there and he said he would get us a show because he says he thinks the tricks I do are actually sick. At least that's what he told me. Also, I started hypnotism this week and it was so awesome! 

At first I just did one person, Elder Evans, just me and him.  And then I had him forget his name in front of everyone. And the next night was awesome. I hypnotize three people at once and had them talking in alien languages, laughing until he cried and it was so sweet! And the final night I did five people I had them thinking they were aliens again, and Victoria's Secret models, two sports announcers for sports that involved a knife and motorcycles and I'm not quite sure what.  Then there were some that thought they were Transformers. Their names were toaster-tron and turtle.  Toaster-tron would transform by curling up on his forearms the knees and then say ding and stick his butt up in the air when the toast was done.  It was so hilarious! 

Unfortunately, I guess hypnotism is slightly frowned upon by us Mormons.  I had to go have a nice little chat with our Mission President.  Well that was the end of that.  He was actually pretty cool about it and was asking where I learned it and if it really worked.  But other that and people calling me devil child, things are amazing!  Hope all is well with you. How's the Book of Mormon coming?  Any thoughts about it?

Love your bro, Elder Pugmire

PS definitely look into hypnosis because it is so dope

Week 4...9/1/14...Using exclamation marks becomes the norm

Editors note:  He seems to only be able to use exclamation marks. 

He grew cotton! (I asked about the CCM President as a farmer.)  I've only got like 15 minutes to write because I just heard from Andrew!

That's so amazing so much has changed I feel! That's so awesome! If you could get me Jacob's, Julia's, Emee's, and Brooklyn's email that would be fantastic! 

Time is starting to blend together. I can't really keep all of the days separated! This week was incredible though! I can't wait to go into the field! My Spanish is getting better every day and I'm learning so much every day! I can't wait to get to speaking fluently so I can talk about what I believe in without restraint! This week we had an amazing Sunday! President Cox talked about what kind of missionaries we ought to be and it was fantastic! We also had a video devotional from Elder Bednar and Elder Anderson were both amazing! Remind me to tell you a funny story about one of the teachers here next week because I'm running out of time! Elder Fisher in our district is a rap genius! I usually lay down the beats and he just goes nuts! He's soooo good! He's had some about the mission life, the spirit, and inspiration! He's hilarious! those Canadians. ; ) I love it here! This week we're sending out the last shipment of Elders before it becomes our turn! We get to sing tonight together which is just incredible every time. The reason I'm writing today is that tomorrow we get to go to the temple and then we are going to take a bus to go to the big market! I can't wait for its gonna be a blast! And then tomorrow I think we have like 3 General authorities so that's gonna be sweet! Anyway, the time is short but the Church is true, the Book is Blue and I love you all and miss you so much! 

Love, Elder Pugmire

Week 3...8/26/14...Life in the CCM and District Mateo

Mateo District:  left to right top to bottom Elders Williams. Stuart, Wallace, Fisher, Ellsworth, Elgren, Me with a haircut, Sherwood, Evans,

Bottom Elders Fickes, Mattson, Willden

Man! The time here at the CCM is ridiculous! The days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. I can't believe that it is already P-Day again! That's Great for Bishop Ruff! He finally gets a break! ;) Haha I'm so proud of Zac and I'm sure Dad was happy that he didn't have to drive the whole way!  Were you still going to write letters to my district? If you did that would be awesome! Elder Kimbal, I think, sent you a message with the people who wanted one but I'm sure my whole district would appreciate one. But just a few good people to send to...  are the  Elders x x x x,  they all have a tough time with Spanish. I've heard about the Ice Bucket Challenge! That's awesome! That's crazy how expensive you are mom! Haha. Our insurance is such a blessing! That's great for Porter! He's gonna be awesome! Grant looks so big already, and it has only been three weeks! Zac looks as studly as ever. But he probably should lift some heavier weights. ;) JK! What's wrong with our family photos?

So about my week! like I said the days are like weeks and Weeks are like days! President Cox is back! He was out in the states because he had a blood clot in his shoulder that wouldn't go away. But he's back now after 3 weeks and I love him! He is such an amazing guy! He's really inspiring and makes me want to be an even better missionary in everything at all times! He's super funny! Last Wednesday or something, he came into everyone's rooms right at 6:30 to make sure everyone was awake. He was like "Good morning Elders! You fired up? What a day! What a great day! How ya doing?! You awake?! You fired up for the day?! The Lord wants you up. He's got things for you to do!" Since then I don't think I've slept until 6:30! I'm always nervous that somehow I'll miss the alarm, and wake up to see the president face right in mine. So I wake up at 6:25 like every day. 

President Cox is really into being obedient to everything. He tells us that if we are exactly obedient and have faith, we can do anything we want as missionaries. He told us that we could get 50 baptisms a month if we really work and do nothing but work in the field. I hope to be the best missionary in the field, for my Mission President. I'm working toward my goal to be fluent by the time I get out of the CCM. I'm putting president Hinckley's promise to the test that if you read the Book of Mormon in your mission language, you will be fluent by the end of it. Right now I'm in Alma 36, so I should be able to do it! It was the president's birthday the other day and it was crazy! We packed all of the people in the CCM into the Comedor and had everyone sing Happy Birthday! Sister Cox baked two huge chocolate cakes and, then a Mariachi The band came in to play! We all loved hearing music, even though we couldn't understand! 

Robert T. and Rebecca E. Cox

Robert Thomas Cox, 61, and Rebecca Eugenia Friend Cox, four children, Tulare 2nd Ward, Porterville California Stake: Guatemala Missionary Training Center. Brother Cox is a former president of the Mexico Leon Mission, counselor in a stake presidency, stake executive secretary, bishop, ward mission leader, temple ordinance worker, and missionary in the Andes Peru Mission. Owner of Cox Farming. Born in Tulare, Calif., to Howard Marion and Dorothy Marie Cox.
Sister Cox served with her husband in the Mexico Leon Mission and is a former counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Relief Society and Young Women president and temple ordinance worker. Born in Santa Monica, Calif., to Rollis Lewis and Mary Viola Friend.

It was so awesome this week we got a volleyball! Which we promptly hit over the fence... We sent one of our guards to get it back.  Then the next day I served it and the same elder who hit it over last time hit it back over again... and well we haven't seen it since then, so that's that. Oh! I forgot! I've been called to be the District leader of District Mateo, so that's pretty sweet! All of the guys in my district are great! I love them so much! I and my companion Elder Stuart is doing a lot of teaching. Yesterday we were practicing our Spanish with the Latinos. Every bit of feedback we got was like, "your lessons are really good but you should work on Spanish," or "you should practice saying the words more, you need to work on your R's," or my personal favorite that one of the Hermanas told me, "I can tell that you are speaking Spanish but I have no idea what you're saying!" So that was a real confidence booster! But not really. Anyway talking with the Latinos really helps! I've started to be able to understand almost anything they say. That is about the gospel. I had a little harder time understanding our Latino roommates that were trying to tell us their bed had Fleas in it. He made it pretty clear when he showed us all of his bug bites though. Fortunately for us, only his bed has the bugs! 

The other week we went to the market. It is basically a store like sears. I didn't get anything there but I bought a bunch of stuff at the distribution center. And once I find out what size my scripture cases are I'll get some sweet Spanish scriptures. Funny Story about the Market, One of the Elders just has the worse luck - may be brought on by himself. We walk out of the market and he just pops open a red-bull right in front of our teacher. He had no idea! Our teacher flipped out and Elder Fisher was like you've got to be kidding me! I drink these in front of my bishop all the time! He's from Canada, and he's great but, it seems like he always ends up with bad luck. He never has spoken Spanish before and has made a few mistakes including asking our teachers if they are going to go number 2 or if they text 6-year-old girls. He's a good sport about it though, and I feel like in just three weeks his Spanish is already caught up to most of ours! 

Anyway, things are great here I love every minute of it! I miss you all and hope everything is well! I look forward to hearing from you next week! 

Love Elder Pugmire

Week 2...8/19/14...CCM

Scotty is in the 2nd row from top 8th from Left,  Hermana Riley (from our stake) behind  Pres. Cox in white dress

Elder Jaedon Flake from our Apple Valley Ward was in the CCM for my first few weeks.  2nd row from Top 8th from Left

  Answers to Mom's Questions
I don't have to play because there's a ton of piano players that are really good!  I sing a lot though.  I haven't been sick yet so thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers! I see Jaedon a lot and he seems to be doing great! I cant wait to see the pictures! How are my friends doing? Are they meeting with the missionaries?

What scripture did you end up using on my plaque?  Elder Flake says to tell his Mom he writes at 3:00.  Also, I'm in desperate need of a quote book! or 2 so I'll probably buy a cheap one but if you find a good one send it away! love ya! also more of those stain sticks! put lots of Jesus stickers on the package!

We have limited time today because our temple session ran over so I'll try notes next week. Elder Evans is that guy his mom told him to say hi to me and, surprise surprise he's in my district! He is going to my mission! So happy to hear all about the family.  I miss you guys so much but, I don't think 2 years is going to be enough! I love it out here and I love doing missionary work!  I'm going to read the other email and then write more!

August 19, 2014 1:13pm

Week two of the mission excursion! It has been absolutely fantastic! Since last Tuesday I've learned so much! We have this one teacher Hermano Mendez, who is literally the funniest, goofiest guy I've ever met.  We all love him so much! I brought out the magic this week and the Latinos all go crazy for it! I've done everything from throwing cards under ironing boards, to outside the window, to the ceiling, to between people's hands, to other people's pockets, to pinning a card on the other side of an exposed cupboard.
Sunday was absolutely amazing! We had so awesome classes and Elder Evans spoke in sacrament from our district. Also, we had an elder named Elder Huff who sang who was unbelievably talented! We also watched the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration Video, it was so amazing! My favorite quote of the week is from that, "Shall we not go up for so great of the cause". Man, I love that!  Our district sings duets every night and it's like the only time we sound decent. Sing in Spanish with a bunch of white Utah and Idahoan young men is certainly a struggle. ;) I love it here so much and I can't wait to get out into the field. I don't think two years is going to be enough. I wish I could just do this my whole life! I love teaching and serving with and for other people! I try to talk to a lot of the Latinos. They're all super cool! There are a lot from Honduras, Panama, and Bolivia. We certainly have a ton of differences but, they have firm testimonies of the gospel and I love that about them. Some of them got their call three weeks ago because the postal system in Central America isn't quite up to par with the great UThe nited States!

We have this building right next to the CCM that we call the great and spacious building. It is like a 3 story open window and plastic roof bar and club. Last week they blasted music alllllll week and allllll night. This week it was a little quieter. It's pretty funny the music they play is a mix between some Spanish songs to every song you hear on the radio back home! Yesterday was the last day for the Latinos who are here for only 2 weeks and the grandparents or 6 weekers of the MTC! We had a chocolate fountain at dinner. The food here is sooooooo good I think we'll be in for a treat once we go out in the field. We had a presentation the other day about all of the great fun diseases they've got down here. Something like Dengue fever from mosquitoes and some nasty worms are 1,000% not on my bucket list. Also, yesterday to celebrate the last night of the missionaries leaving the MTC, all the elders went to one room on the 3rd floor. We had over 110 elders in an 8 person room. It was so hot the walls were dripping in sweat and the floor was running like a pool of sweat. We all sang as loud as we could and I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear us. We sang Called to Serve, Ye Elders of Israel and God Be With You Till We Meet Again. Then we prayed and sat in silence until someone said, "Alright all the white people are melting"... (which was very true) we left and went to bed. It was so awesome! Well, my time is up so until next week love you guys and miss you so much!

 Love Elder Pugmire