June 27, 2011

Mother and Pops,
I just got off the phone with President and Hermana Torres about hour or two ago.

Kinda weird. It hurts a lot to be very honest but, I find amazing comfort in the fact that I get to come back on the mission, And not miss a day of what I was called to serve.

President and Sister Torres were so kind to me about it. One cool thing is I get to fly home with them!! How cool is that? I've been blessed several times in my mission to have one on one times with them.  And this is my last chance ever, so I'm excited!!

I'm glad I get to get taken care of. Kinda really sad that I couldnt do it here though.

I feel comforted through your prayers I can feel them.

Couple of interesting things...I was fasting I would get taken care of, And while I was I knew and could feel it was best I go back for a little. I literally couldnt get home out of my head. I even started to get frustrated with myself cuz ive never had that happen before. But, I now realize Heavenly Father was helping me mentally prepare.

Also, In the past 2 weeks, I had 2 dreams I flew home with President and Hermana Torres. How crazy is that? I know this is part of the Lords plan for me.

Im excited to go home and go teach that Guatemalan lady!!! I look forward to that a lot :) That'll be so awesome, What if she even spoke some Qeqchi!?!? Doubt it, but still.

The part that hurts so bad is the investigators I have. I dont wanna leave them. But, like any other change I have to do it. Heavenly Father will take care of them.

Anyways, I will come back on in an hour to see your replys and what you need to know!

I sure love you parents.

Elder Fast

A few hours later we received our last email from Evan in Guatemala:

Cool you got my email!

Well, I guess the office elders will be sending you the itenerary (I doubt thats how it's spelled)

All I know is that I'm leaving Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. from Guatemala.

So we will see from there.

I got a lot of wrok ahead of me these next few days. I gotta show my companion the area. His name is Elder Brewer. Elder Joya left on Saturday on an Emergency change.

So yea, Elder Brewer has to get to know everyone. He will kick butt though. He's got 20 months about in the mish. And pretty much already knows most of the people.

So tomorrow I think I'm going to be able to go to the temple here in Guate. Cool.

Tomorrow is our pday. So that will be good.

I really have no idea what those purses Garrick brought home look like so if you could explain what they look like I'll be sure to bring you one home.

Just let me know so I can plan to get them.

I'll be writing you tomorrow I think. I'll just write a normal letter tomorow about how my last week was. it was rockin!

Anyways ma.

Love you tons!

Elder Guapo

Home "for a little"

Since April Elder Fast has had some issues with a rare skin disease that have not been able to be resolved in Guatemala. After phone calls with President and Sister Torres, praying, and consulting with Drs., the decision was made for him to come home for treatment. It was not an easy decision, but everyone felt peace once the decision was made. Evan actually had feelings that he would be coming home to have this taken care of. He was right! He also was able to fly home with his mission Pres and his wife, as they were released the day before!! Such a blessing. Evan arrived home on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. One day short of his 18th month mark. He had a Dr appointment the next morning. He will find out the results of the bioposy and blood work on July 7th. From there we will know approximately how long he will need to stay home. The goal is to get Evan taken care of and cured as soon as possible, so he can return to Guatemala and finish is 6 months there. As of now his mission is on "pause". This is more common than we knew or realized. Below are a few pictures from his arrival. Did I mention his plane was an hour late :/ Thank you for your prayers, kinds words and ideas. You are some of the best people we know. Dad's first hug. Another hug. Tears. And more tears. Speaking Q'eqchi with Garrick (Elder Burden) More tears and more Qeqchi. More Q'eqchi with Garrick. First bite of a Double Double in 18 months. More Qeqchi... Our nephew Jose is from Honduras and couldn't wait to talk with Evan. Our niece Sabrina with Evan. He spent more time at their house than ours before he left. She and Jose have 2 missionaries out right now. One in Brazil, and one in New York. Starting to unpack. More unpacking.

Llanos de Santa Maria-June 20, 2011

So this week seriously was just awesome. Elder Joya and I put ourselves pilas and just got some good work done. We had 11 investigators in church. That was seriously the best I've ever seen my whole mission. And, 4 for the first time. As of right now we have 8 fechas. The coolest part is ever single one went to church this week. we should have 4 baptisms this week. 2 for sure. Just 2 little girls. But the other 2is a mom and a daughter. We will see. We have to talk to President about what he thinks we should do. It's a weird scenario. It'd take like 10 years to write. Just know she is about as pilas as pilas gets. Seriously we have been so blessed here it's amazing. I'm so grateful for the blessing that immediately took place from being here again. We also had 15 lessons with members this week. That's ballin for this area. We seriously have just been so blessed. I wish you guys could meet these people!!! They are seriously changing for the better daily. We have Family Aguilar...They are a family of 6. Two of them were baptised, And we are baptising the other 4. 2 this Saturday And the other 2 in 2 weeks. Their names are Iris, And Maria jose (this Saturday) And Blanca and Delela (in 2 weeks). They're just awesome girls. We also are teaching Fam. Ruano. Hna. Gloria and her Daughter Jacolyn will maybe get baptized this Saturday. Theyre awesome. And she has 3 more children. William 16, Diana 17, And Neri 12. Neri doesn't have a fecha yet but will tonight I think. He's been to church twice. Just a little stud. Elder Joya and I are taking him a cake tonight for his birthday he just had. Diana said she wants to get baptized! Cool! But, She is going to Mexico for a month to work for her Aunt. She said she wants to go to our church there because ¨It's different then any other church¨ :) ESOOO!!! She totally felt the spirit yesterday. William needs to get to church. Stud though. Also a Family Ordeñes. Man I love this family. We are going to help them get married this 23rd of July and baptized the same day. They are seriously so amazing. They have their problems, but, They seriously are so amazing. They have so much desire to change and do whats right. They read the pamphlets we leave behind together!! That's so cool. And they pray together at night., So awesome. They've also been to church 3 times already. So cool. I wish you guys could meet all the people I'm teaching. They seriously are so amazing. The Spirit is just helping them feel the truthfulness of our beliefs. It's interesting how the Spirit works. You just have to be willing. I know this letter is a little boring but, We seriously have just been so busy with these three families its been crazy. But, good crazy. I love this work and the fact that I am blessed with 6 more months to do it. As far as answering your questions..... In my Ward we don't teach anything. It's a decent ward. We do have to focus quite a bit on visiting less active members though. Which has been successful. We got a family to church this week that hasnt been in three years!!! So cool. Family Duarte. They're so awesome. The mother made us Chow Mein Saturday night...mmmmm :) I'm doing well. The new president arrives the 29th of this month. That's good. My comp is a stud. We have a had some good times together. Hes seriously becoming a stud of a missionary. I love him. I weigh 180 right now....when I entered to mission I was 207. haha gordito estaba So that's the latest. I love you all tons! Thanks for your letters!!!! Elder Fast.

Llanos de Santa Maria-June 13, 2011

Well....I'm back in the Capital! I'm not even mad. haha Seriously though. I said like 10 times when i was in Polochik, if I HAD to go back to the Cap I'd choose to go back to Llanos de Santa Maria... Well.....I'm back!!!! haha I seriously couldn't believe it. I went back!! I'm here in Llanos again! That like never happens in the mission! But I'm way excited. At first I was like upset haha. I dunno why. Just my pride I think. But, serously the members recieved me better then I think I've ever been recieved anywhere. They were seriously so excited and supportive of me being back. They kept saying I have more work for me to do here. Just awesome people. It's true though. That's why I'm back. So I'm excited to find the people I didn't find before or need to finish helping. My new companion is Elder Joya from Honduras! He's got 6 months in the mission. He's seriously the man. I've been loving my time with him so far. I'll send you guys pics next week. The area just exploded with success. Esooo!! We have 7 fechas and they're looking pretty good. And this Sunday we had 8 investagators in church. OH!!! I got to see the Family I found that got baptized a little after I left!!! SOOOO cool!!!!! Also I got to see Monica!! (she also got baptized after I left) Seriously was so good to see them. Theyre studs. So I'm excited. I feel like its a huge blessing for me to be here. President wrote me an email just saying what I need to do here in Llanos. He's the man. I'm so grateful for him. So that's about all I have for this week. Nothing too cool. I'm excited to be here though. The members are always super helpful here. AND more importantly give really good food. Hope all is well with y'all. Les quiero mucho. Elder Fast Evan...(that's for Daniel) Mother! How fun all the stuff you got to do this week!!!! I'm glad you got along so well with Elder Toolson's mom!!!! That seriously makes me so happy!!! I love him! OH!!! You know who hes ZL with now!?!?!? Elder NAVAS!!! remember him!? He is my ¨hija¨ in the mission!! He's only got 10 months in the misison and is ZL!! That companionship is 2 of literally my favorite companions!!! Also no worries you didn't go to Schone's conference (homecoming) thing. I'm glad you and dad are doing well....my time is about out! shoot! I love you mother...I love you guys so much!!! I'll write to you next week. If you have any specific questions...I'll answer them next week... I very, very promise. I love you mom!!! Elder Fast

Sacsuha-June 6, 2011

Our District So this week was pretty good. We got a lot of good done. We found some really good "news" so that will be good to see how they progress. So....changes came and I have a change. I'm going back to the capital. Dunno why. Usually when you come out here you stay til the end of your mission. Saber. In all honesty, it's really hard to me. I really dedicated myself to this language and people. But, It's okay. This change wouldnt just happen unless the Lord has something planned for me. I AM excited to go work and discover what it is. I'll be finding out my new comp on Wednesday. So ya'll sound super busy...Sounds fun. It's always weird to me that the world goes on outside missionary work haha. I swear some days don't even happen here. Here the new president is coming soon. Saber when exactly...I dont know. But I'm excited to meet the new one. I'll dejar some shout outs for you guys! Daniel....Dude your team is just baller. haha Thats seriously rediculous. I would be frustrated to play against you guys. Keep droppin' tres. Dude school sounds seriously ridiculous. You're the man. You sound like you are tearin it up. Keep chuggin man. Thank you for your example. Momma....ooooohoooohooooo...(like the Queen song) Thanks so much for your email! That seriously was awesome! Super informative. Gracias! That's fun you got to spend more time in Utah! I feel like every single time when I write you I'm saying that!!! That's fun. I seriously cant wait to go with you after the mish. Pops...You're the man...I'm positive your knee will start getting better. I love you tons Dad. Thank you for the email you sent me! Ill let you know what im thinking next week. Rey...Brooooother!!!!! Thank you seriously so much for the email. Thank you for the support and advice you give me... Welp...this email was lame. Sorry haha. Hopefully I'm writin' a cool one next week :) Elder Fast Laj ISo-max

Sacsuha-May 30, 2011

The subject line for this email was "Heartbreaker"Me and "Thack Attack" coaching our teamAnother one of us coaching This is the team plus just some random two kids who wanted to be in the photo.So this week was a week and a half!!! There are two things that really stuck out so I'm only gonna focus on those and then get the little details maybe later. So first things first, We had district conference up here in Sacsuha this week. So that was seriously awesome. It was President and Hermana Torres last run through this place. The people seriously just love them. They talked a ton about how the men need to take care of their wives here, And vice versa. That's a big problem here. I hate that. But many people are trying to change and get better. I love that. We had 3 investigators there. One of them is getting baptized the 25th of this month for sure.His name is Victor. Hes 19. He said he wants to go on a misison. Hes a stud. So after the conference, a miracle happened! Hermana Torres called me over, and says, "Elder Fast meet me over by the car I have something for you." I was thinking maybe letters? maybe a package from someone? NO!!! She said she was cleaning out her cupboard and she thought of me, so she brought up all the things she wouldn't need anymore!!! She brought me a HUGE box of vienna sausages, A BRAND NEW PACK of caramel apple suckers!!!!!!! A HUGE box of unopened caramel popcorn, 2 macaroni and cheese boxes, 3 Mrs Fields cookies, And a bag of 27 homemade brownies!!!!!! I seriously was in awe!!! I couldn't believe it. She made me promise "to share a little" direct quote. Everyone was seriously so jealous of me. But, that's just fine. I had good food. I shared a ton. It was just so nice of her to think of me like that. It truly was a miracle like I said. That was the last time I'll see them I believe. That's hard. But they need to go. And I'm positive President Watts will work hard here with his wife. So....on to the heart-breaker.... (I stole a lot from Thack's email to spend less time writing it, and give more detail.) Last week one of the kids from one of our investigator families was telling us that there was a basketball tournament between the schools here in Polochic and that Sacsuha had 6 kids that wanted to play, but no coach. So for our service time last week we decided to meet them twice and teach them a few things about basketball! The first practice thing was okay, the Q'eqchi youth get really intimidated by us so they didn't really get into it. They all just kinda half way tried and felt awkward. But, the second practice they opened right up! We taught them how to play a 2-3 zone, how to set screens and we taught them a full court press. And they actually picked it up really fast. The coolest part is it changed our relationship with the majority of the youth in Sacsuha, they all say hi to us now and stuff. For example after the second practice they went and bought us both drinks! that was seriously awesome. Anyway the tournament ended up being this morning in the Tinta so we were able to watch and coach them!!! So after a morning of games the number 1 and 2 seed ended up playing and the winner of that we would play for the championship! That game ended 27 to 3 for the number one team here from the Tinta. They seriously were just stacked with players. So we came into the championship game as the number 7 team against the number 1 and nobody thought we had a chance. We had just been upsetting teams all morning it was awesome. The winner got the opportunity to go to Coban and play there for a title as well. And so that brought in a lot of emotion for these kids. Honestly most of them from where we are won't even have that opportunity for a really long time, if ever. (go to Coban) It felt like the movies, we had our 6 scrubby lookin fellas that come from stick houses, and the rich kids from the Tinta rolled in on their motorcycles before the game, And live in nice houses for this area. So the game started and we shook this number one team in the first half! They had no idea what hit them. We seriously just came out fireing it was awesome!!!! Our press shut them down and we started the first quarter 4 to 0!(remember where I am.) I seriously got SOOO into the game though. After the first lay- up we made I was jumpin and pumpin my arms and seriously got so excited i got light headed haha. Then Wwe lost a little composure in the 2nd quarter and at half it was 4 to 2. We still were surprising everyone! Things were looking really good for us. The crowd was goin crazy for us as well. I was pumpin' them up with my arms and everything. Then the third quarter started out with a horrible reffing mistake (This guy was bad) but he didn't tell the teams which way they were going and just gave them the ball and they got a lame free lay-up, which tied it up. Then after a few scoreless possesions, our big guy just randomly dropped a 3 from deep!!!! I serioulsy was going crazy. Right when it went in, the crowd errupted! Everyone was going for these guys. That put us up 7 to 4! At this point we had the crowd completely swung our way. This court was completely surrounded! ( I think you can see in the photos.) The 3rd quarter ended with a 7 to 4 score. It was awesome cuz the crowd just kept getting bigger. And at every time out or quarter these kids would run to us and just wait for us to teach them something And see how were were going to help them....just studs.....but, This is when our weakness came into play. The others had a huge team of about 17 and we had 6 guys, our team started getting tired. They put on a press and we didnt really have a ball handler to get it down the court. The hacking started getting more intense in the fourth and after a few hack steals and easy lay-ups the other team went up 8 to 7! Which the second one that put them up was a fluke because after they scored the ref made a terrible call and gave it back to them and they just put it right back in to go up. We only were able to get the ball up the court a few more times but never got any good shots. They were just exhausted. (there were 4-10 minute halfs.) They got a few more lay-ups and we lost the heartbreaker 12 to 7. It was rough cuz these kids wanted it bad. It was hard to see them lose. But all in all, it was a cool experience cuz it is something they will never forget. We had a good talk with them after how it didn't matter. They seriously did amazing. The defense we taught them just shut the other team down. That other team had put up about 30 against everyone else exept us. It was really good overall. We have a lot more confidence with all the youth. They serioulsy like seeing us now and treat us as all really good friends. We had tons of opportunities as well to teach them about our church and how missionaries really are normal. They liked it. Im excited to see where their relations with missionaries continue to grow. I love this gospel and the knowledge we have. I'm so grateful for the little things we can do in life to help people trust us to learn. And no matter who we are we can become a helper to someone. That's my story! I love you all tons! Fun times in the mission. Love you guys tons!!!! Keep on chuggin' no matter what. Elder Fast laj ISO-MAX Mother.... I just wanna let you know I love you. I'm doing really well. My mission is perfect. It makes my stomach hurt when I know how much time I have left. I don't want to come home until I have finished with all my strength. I love you more than anything!!!!!

Sacsuha-May 23, 2011

Branch Mission Leader and me near the home of our investigators Chulak-today for our Zone Activity Our Zone today!! This picture is from Elder Smith-Our Zone at our Activity today. FAM!! Well, wierd cuz I feel like I just wrote you guys!!! I'm a little bummed about that cuz I really dont have much to tell! My week was not the best. But! Still good for what we had to work with. Our family of 5 had fechas. But they all fell because they weren't there the Thursday we went up. So we didn't get to invite them to church. And if Q'eqchi's don't get invited they don't go....So weird haha. But it's okay we still got hope in them. It's a Dad of 30 years, Mom of 31, Son of 14, son of 12, daughter of 9, and son of 7. Gangsters. They live way up there. The first picture I sent home is me with my mission leader right next to their house. (of the investigators). That was last week though. This week I'm not plannin' on writin' a ton because I broke my left hand pinkie today haha. I'm fine. We were playing some water balloon game and the new Elders are just still a little too hyper.....so yeah. haha. I'll tell ya after the mission. But we went up to this place called Chulak today. (pictures included) It was fun. We played bump, or knock out...whatever you call that game for a good 30 minutes as a zone. It was fun. I played with a broken pinkie and still won...no big deal. Kinda like that time my sophmore year I broke my foot and still scored off a free kick.....that was me totally tootin' my own horn. :) This really is the worst email ever sorry. I'll write you guys good next week. (I feel like I say that every week haha) I love ya'll!!!!!! Elder Fast Laj Iso-max Shout outs.... MACIIII!!!!!! Youre going to be 2!!!! What in the world!?!?!? I didnt even know you were one. haha. Time's just cruisin right on. Keep learning fun stuff so we can play when I get back! Leora!!!! That seriously was the most rockin' letter ever!!!!! Thank you so much! That was good to hear what you are doing over there!!! Claire seriously sounds adorable still. Haha I love how she likes the mud and bugs. Shes so cute. Randy...good ol "Shug"! I can't believe how big he was in that picture you sent me!!! That seriously blew my mind!! Hes the man. I bet he will grow up and be all buff like Mike. Thats way cool youre doing a website sells thing. That sounds fun. I like how Claire is the model haha. Awesome seriously. You're the best Sis. K, I gotta go my finger is killin'. It'll be fine next week! I love you guys!!! Elder Fast!!!