Elder Wilkes in Guatemala
7/26/16
Giving it My All to The End
Dear Family,
Well what can I even say...I am so thankful for all of you guys and the love and support that you have given me...I just want you all to know that I love you. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have had to serve a mission. I think that the greatest thing I have accomplished is the change I have experienced in my own heart. I know that this really is the Church of Jesus Christ. This gospel changes life. Other than that I am not sure of many things. I am giving it my all to the end because I know that is what the Lord requires of me. I remember when Micah came home as they released him he just said, "I know who my Savior Jesus Christ is and what my standing is before Him." I know what he means now. I love you all!!
I will see you all next Wednesday!!!
Elder Wilkes
Well what can I even say...I am so thankful for all of you guys and the love and support that you have given me...I just want you all to know that I love you. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have had to serve a mission. I think that the greatest thing I have accomplished is the change I have experienced in my own heart. I know that this really is the Church of Jesus Christ. This gospel changes life. Other than that I am not sure of many things. I am giving it my all to the end because I know that is what the Lord requires of me. I remember when Micah came home as they released him he just said, "I know who my Savior Jesus Christ is and what my standing is before Him." I know what he means now. I love you all!!
I will see you all next Wednesday!!!
Elder Wilkes
7/18/16
Spiritually Prepared
Well this last week was a week of miracles...Elder Whiting and I had the opportunity to baptize five people. Ludbena Lopez and her 4 daughters....it was not as easy as it sound though... Ever since we have found them they have been golden investigators. Like it was almost too easy. They read and did everything that we invited them to do. The mother even cut off a relationship she has been having for years to be able to keep the law of chastity. It was awesome to see her faith grow. Then on Wednesday we went to visit them and we started the visit there was just something weird. The spirit was telling me that something was up...as soon as we said the prayer she said--these visits have been awesome and we have loved it...but we are not going to get baptized this Sunday. We can't get baptized. And then it got really awkward and that was kind of it...like she just cut it off... and we left...I honestly can even describe the sadness that Elder Whiting and I were feeling. Honestly my only goal has been to help him have success and after that I was just so frustrated. We could hardly even speak. I could hardly even walk...We then saw our Ward Mission Leader in the road and he went to go pick them up for a ward activity....to our surprise they came!!! The next day, Elder Martinez came to work with me and with the help of Elder Sorto and Elder Whiting we really tried to obtain the revelation that we needed. We received exactly what she needed...that night we visited them and it was one of the most spiritual lessons I have ever had on my whole mission.
I know that I am not perfect, but the Spirit sure is. They all ended up getting baptized on Sunday. I think that it is so important that as missionaries and disciples of Christ that we always take the time we need to be spiritual prepared. I know that the spirit is the answer we just always need to find the right question.
I am so excited for Jamison to be in the field. I have been in a trio and also my last change as assistant we were a 4 some so you just got to find the way to make it work! I love you all.
Elder Wilkes
I know that I am not perfect, but the Spirit sure is. They all ended up getting baptized on Sunday. I think that it is so important that as missionaries and disciples of Christ that we always take the time we need to be spiritual prepared. I know that the spirit is the answer we just always need to find the right question.
I am so excited for Jamison to be in the field. I have been in a trio and also my last change as assistant we were a 4 some so you just got to find the way to make it work! I love you all.
Elder Wilkes
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| This happened as we finished the day yesterday. |
7/12/16
The Reason For Everything
Well things are going really well..this week Elder Whiting and I are going to baptize the Lopez family. It is a single mother and her 4 daughters...I think that they honestly are some of the most prepared people I have ever taught. Man this is all so crazy with Jamison leaving and everything...I am not ready to come home... just read an email and I may or may not have lost my scholarship from a huge mistake on my part...so man things are just kind of crazy..... but then I got on my email and I saw this email from a convert family...they were baptized 20 months ago. I want Jamison to read this...this is why we serve missions. The reason for everything... In midst of some much confusion of the world today, it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can bring us peace. Let us never never forget that. I love you all...
Elder Wilkes...
P.S. The letter is broken English. I did not go to the sealing because i wasn't informed in time... but it is all worth it... Also we went on a sick hike yesterday.
"Hello Elder hope this good will write to you to know that we love you very much, thanks for having spoken of the Gospel, thanks to that we could be sealed in the temple as a family and is an unforgettable experience that live there; always know that you remember him as a great missionary, and to admire, knows will never forget you because you were baptized ... thanks for the pasiencia (patience) that we and all the love we asia reflection. I hope you do not forget us when and finalize its mission. I hope you understand this letter with love the family sotoj Guatemala. Amatitlan."
Elder Wilkes...
P.S. The letter is broken English. I did not go to the sealing because i wasn't informed in time... but it is all worth it... Also we went on a sick hike yesterday.
"Hello Elder hope this good will write to you to know that we love you very much, thanks for having spoken of the Gospel, thanks to that we could be sealed in the temple as a family and is an unforgettable experience that live there; always know that you remember him as a great missionary, and to admire, knows will never forget you because you were baptized ... thanks for the pasiencia (patience) that we and all the love we asia reflection. I hope you do not forget us when and finalize its mission. I hope you understand this letter with love the family sotoj Guatemala. Amatitlan."
7/5/16
Working Hard
Dear Family,
Well can I just say that I am going to be so excited that I won't have to write these anymore haha. These letters are just really not my strong point.
Anyways this last week was a very good week. In our new area we found a family of five that came to church for the first time this last week. So things are looking pretty good in our area. We are just working hard...I don't have any idea of what to say this last week. I am excited for Jamison to go into the mission field and am so proud of him for the kid that he is.
Well here is a picture of me from when I feel asleep this last week when my comp was in the bathroom. Also us on the Fourth of July.
Love you!!
- Elder Wilkes
Well can I just say that I am going to be so excited that I won't have to write these anymore haha. These letters are just really not my strong point.
Anyways this last week was a very good week. In our new area we found a family of five that came to church for the first time this last week. So things are looking pretty good in our area. We are just working hard...I don't have any idea of what to say this last week. I am excited for Jamison to go into the mission field and am so proud of him for the kid that he is.
Well here is a picture of me from when I feel asleep this last week when my comp was in the bathroom. Also us on the Fourth of July.
Love you!!
- Elder Wilkes
6/28/16
City of Parramos
Dear Family,
Well I cant believe that is has been another week...time is really flying so wow my time is short and I just don't really like that..This week was a good week we were just trying to get to know our new area and work with all of the members. The members in our new ward are so awesome and excited to work. Our ward mission leader is the funniest guy ever. He is super excited. This last weekend we had a baptism. We baptized Guierllmo Vielman! His wife has been a member for a few years and she just recently started going to church. This weekend if everything works out we are going to have 3 more! I love you all.... just working hard and trying to finish strong!
Elder Wilkes
Here are a few pictures, one of me and my good friend Zach Burhley from before the mission...he was my zone leader last change.
Well I cant believe that is has been another week...time is really flying so wow my time is short and I just don't really like that..This week was a good week we were just trying to get to know our new area and work with all of the members. The members in our new ward are so awesome and excited to work. Our ward mission leader is the funniest guy ever. He is super excited. This last weekend we had a baptism. We baptized Guierllmo Vielman! His wife has been a member for a few years and she just recently started going to church. This weekend if everything works out we are going to have 3 more! I love you all.... just working hard and trying to finish strong!
Elder Wilkes
Here are a few pictures, one of me and my good friend Zach Burhley from before the mission...he was my zone leader last change.
6/22/16
My Last Six Weeks
Dear Family,
Well.....my companion and I had changes this last week and now we are in a different area in the same zone. Pretty funny because I know have had 3 areas in this same zone. Yesterday we made the change and it has been funny just because we dont know anyone yet....but I have faith that we are going to see success in my last 6 weeks... I dont really have much to say becuase we just got to the area but things are great!! I am feeling really weird with so little time left....
One cool thing that we saw yesterday is we were looking for the house of a member and we got lost and a lady came up to us and started asking us about the church and we went and taught her. she told us that she has just been praying to find the best church. the spirit was very strong and she told us...I have never felt anyhting like this before. I just want everyone to remember that there is not a bigger blessing than being a member of this church!! The power of the spirit only is in the true church of Jesus Christ. I hope that we all can really recognize those playings everyday. Love you all.
Elder Wilkes
Well.....my companion and I had changes this last week and now we are in a different area in the same zone. Pretty funny because I know have had 3 areas in this same zone. Yesterday we made the change and it has been funny just because we dont know anyone yet....but I have faith that we are going to see success in my last 6 weeks... I dont really have much to say becuase we just got to the area but things are great!! I am feeling really weird with so little time left....
One cool thing that we saw yesterday is we were looking for the house of a member and we got lost and a lady came up to us and started asking us about the church and we went and taught her. she told us that she has just been praying to find the best church. the spirit was very strong and she told us...I have never felt anyhting like this before. I just want everyone to remember that there is not a bigger blessing than being a member of this church!! The power of the spirit only is in the true church of Jesus Christ. I hope that we all can really recognize those playings everyday. Love you all.
Elder Wilkes
6/14/16
I Have Not Walked Alone
One day Elder Caceres and I went to the farthest part of area. It is down about the biggest hill on earth and down there, there is only one less active member. There are no other members. We were going to visit the family Sanchez that now had 3 attendances at church. They had been debating whether or not there were going to be baptized. Their oldest son Ernesto 20 years old had been baptized 2 weeks earlier. As we flew down the hill we found the mother--Judys-- talking to a lady on the corner of the street. We were kind of worried when we saw that....Judys who had already been baptized in the evangelical church had many doubts about getting baptized....many came from what family members and neighbors had told her....we approached the house and patiently waited for judys to come over so we could teach the family...we waited about 10 minutes and then she came over..she started to tell us about what the lady on the street corner had said to her...we asked her who she was and she told us that before today she had never talked to her before..we then asked her what they were talking about. Judys then said--oh she said that she is a member of the church, she said that there is not a bigger blessing on this earth than being a member of this church. she told me that I should get baptized....she also said that us as missionaries were sent from on high to bless the life of my family....we were very surprised when she told us that. We asked her who she was and where she lived...Judys had no idea...she said that the lady told her she lived a few streets up from there...After the lesson we went and knocked doors looking for the mysterious lady and we did not find anything... surly she was an angel. After the lesson Judys was very sure of the decision to be baptized. She was baptized the following Saturday. On my mission I have not walked alone, there are many angles that are preparing the way.
Anyways this was an experience that I had to write to my mission President today. I thought that I could share it with you guys...Last week I ate my first bugs in Guatemala....these type of ants come out like once a year....and the people love them....so a family made these for us...Pretty crazy..other than that we are just working hard to baptize!!! Love you All!!
Elder Wilkes
Anyways this was an experience that I had to write to my mission President today. I thought that I could share it with you guys...Last week I ate my first bugs in Guatemala....these type of ants come out like once a year....and the people love them....so a family made these for us...Pretty crazy..other than that we are just working hard to baptize!!! Love you All!!
Elder Wilkes
6/7/16
Never Give Up a Chance to Serve
Well it seems like the fam has been rocking it in New York... I am jealous..but I am not jealous about the drive you all have home....
Well things are going good here in San Pedro Las Huertas.... This last Sunday was pretty cool the attendance to sacrament meeting was 74. So that was a huge step...this week we are having a meeting...I think that they might close our branch but we are not sure yet.....so we will find out tomorrow...one of the families that we are working with didn't go to church on Sunday so that was a blow...but it is all right... we did have a miracle though when 10 minutes in walked an old investigator. His name is Marco Antonio Garcia... he has been an investigator for a while and has not taken the decision to be baptized. So hopefully this Sunday he will get baptized.
Yesterday we did see a cool miracle...we have a little 10 year old girl that is a convert in our area. Her mom is a less active member. But never goes to church... Everytime we go try to visit the little girl...she just sees us and slams the door....Yesterday with my companion we decided that we were going to contact 40 people each and everyday...at like 7 last night we were walking in the street and we saw a family carrying some huge bags...anyways we went and helped them...and walked them home...then like 2 minutes after walking with them we realized it was the little convert and her family! We even got in the door...(we also ate a huge guatemalan ant...it is a delicacy...they offered it to us and we wanted to gain their confidence) the dad who is not a member even let us a put an appointment so that we can go visit him.
That just really showed me that when we search to just do good things for God's children, he leads us to places where he needs us to be. The work of the Lord is not about us..its about what the Lord can do through out efforts...I love you all.. Have a great week!! Never give up a chance to serve!
Elder Wilkes
Well things are going good here in San Pedro Las Huertas.... This last Sunday was pretty cool the attendance to sacrament meeting was 74. So that was a huge step...this week we are having a meeting...I think that they might close our branch but we are not sure yet.....so we will find out tomorrow...one of the families that we are working with didn't go to church on Sunday so that was a blow...but it is all right... we did have a miracle though when 10 minutes in walked an old investigator. His name is Marco Antonio Garcia... he has been an investigator for a while and has not taken the decision to be baptized. So hopefully this Sunday he will get baptized.
Yesterday we did see a cool miracle...we have a little 10 year old girl that is a convert in our area. Her mom is a less active member. But never goes to church... Everytime we go try to visit the little girl...she just sees us and slams the door....Yesterday with my companion we decided that we were going to contact 40 people each and everyday...at like 7 last night we were walking in the street and we saw a family carrying some huge bags...anyways we went and helped them...and walked them home...then like 2 minutes after walking with them we realized it was the little convert and her family! We even got in the door...(we also ate a huge guatemalan ant...it is a delicacy...they offered it to us and we wanted to gain their confidence) the dad who is not a member even let us a put an appointment so that we can go visit him.
That just really showed me that when we search to just do good things for God's children, he leads us to places where he needs us to be. The work of the Lord is not about us..its about what the Lord can do through out efforts...I love you all.. Have a great week!! Never give up a chance to serve!
Elder Wilkes
5/31/16
Just Know That I Love You
Well it looks like everyone is having a great time back East....I saw some pictures of mom in curlers getting on a canoe and wow I really loved that!!
Well things are really going great here. This last week we were able to see some good miracles. On Friday we went to visit a recent convert and we found his brother and his wife their in his house. So they were very positive and came to church on Sunday and after they talked to our branch president and the guy just told me how he wants to change his life and get married and stuff so that was really cool. My companion and I are going to keep working with them...
We are really working very hard to find more people and help our rama. We have a part member family of a guy who hasn't gone to church yet and I don't know how to get him to go....other than that. We are just looking. Just know that I love you all. I can't think of anything to say today...other than that I love you!
Elder Wilkes
Well things are really going great here. This last week we were able to see some good miracles. On Friday we went to visit a recent convert and we found his brother and his wife their in his house. So they were very positive and came to church on Sunday and after they talked to our branch president and the guy just told me how he wants to change his life and get married and stuff so that was really cool. My companion and I are going to keep working with them...
We are really working very hard to find more people and help our rama. We have a part member family of a guy who hasn't gone to church yet and I don't know how to get him to go....other than that. We are just looking. Just know that I love you all. I can't think of anything to say today...other than that I love you!
Elder Wilkes
5/24/16
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