Samuel Among the Lamanites

Final Mission Blog Post

2011-06-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

Final Good-Byes and Good Luck from the Mission to Elders Musick, Velasquez and Lopez from GCCM blog.

Happy to be Home!?

2011-06-10T09:52:00.001-07:00

Sneak Peaks at Flea Bite scars

2011-06-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Some mention had been made regarding fleas in Guatemala. I sneaked a few pictures that show off some flea bite scars. I am sure they speak for themselves. (click to enlarge)

Family - happy to have him home!

2011-06-10T09:27:00.001-07:00

(Missing Dad - he was at meetings at church)

Friends and Missionaries reunited

2011-06-10T09:21:00.001-07:00

Sam - Guatemala; Nathan - Georgia; Brent - Italy

Bearing gifts - Machetes!

2011-06-10T09:10:00.001-07:00

Family Welcoming Him Home

2011-06-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

He's Home!! (at the airport)

2011-06-09T15:30:00.001-07:00

I know it has been three weeks since Elder Musick came home, but during that time we have had a house full - 15 people visiting - a camping trip to Santa Cruz, a wedding in Salt Lake City and driven over 2,000 miles. I can't begin to count the laundry loads, let's just say a lot! So there are my excuses and here are the pictures of his homecoming - finally!

We see him coming ....

Brody gets first hug.

Parker meets Sam for the first time ... he likes him!

My Shoes

2011-05-20T22:50:00.000-07:00

My Shoes

I had a cool experience the other day. In the transfers I was listening to the testimony of one of the new gringos. I looked at his shoes and then I looked at mine. Tears came to my eyes. His shoes were brand new and shine-- just like the elder with his animo ready to work.

Mine were old and beat up but with a world of experience--just like the elder wearing them.

I started thinking of my shoes. They've passed though two sewing jobs, four sole replacements, and an infinite amount of paint jobs. They've passed through the halls of the MTC, pounded the paved streets of Guatemala City, and kicked up dust in the small village of Amatitlan. They've carried Books of Mormon, pamphlets, and sacks of vegetables and corn. They've tracked through sun, rain, mud and ash. They've witnessed the visit of an Apostle, the work of the mission president, and most important, the conversion and baptism of many humble Lamanites.

They love to play B-Ball with the youth, soccer with the street kids, walk to charlas and rest under the bed at night. They've been in the jaws of a dog and within the walls of the Temple. They see miracles constantly and go through heaven and hell daily. They have passed though many unexpected things and uncountable beautiful experiences-- the most beautiful this world can provide. But most important is that through all this walking, sweating, crying and laughing they have followed a path that has led them to eternal happiness.

They have followed the same path two beat-up sandals followed in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. They have followed the path of "The Master." They have taken up their cross for the love of the Guatemalan people just as those two sandals, covered in blood, took up their cross for the love of all mankind. And, just as those sandals, these two shoes have found that as they have lost their life in the service of others they have truly found themselves. They have found and eternal joy bigger than this world can provide. They have found that it's not what's on the outside that counts but what's inside the soul.

And despite all they've been through, their favorite time and place is early in the morning or late at night, face down on the cement floor, praying to their eternal and loving Father, and their Brother and Master who showed the path for all shoes to follow back to their creator, their Savior, who paved that path with blood and tears, making it possible for all to return.

These shoes aren't just for two years but are ready to walk to the ends of the earth and through all eternities to follow that path and help others to find it. I love these shoes and I love my Savior. I know he lives! I love this work!

I remember a story Brigham Young told. He was visiting a young lady on her deathbed. She had given up all her hopes for the future and her schooling at a very young age to go to work to support herself and her brother when their mother died and left them orphans. She had spent her short life working with her hands to feed her brothers. She asked Pres. Young how the Lord would know that she is His. Pres. Young said, "Show Him your hands."

When I return to my Maker, I'm going to show him my shoes.

--Author Unknown

Last Zone - Last District - Last Tie

2011-05-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

This tie was signed by his zone and given to him before he left.

Thank you Sister Park - from his District - for sending these pictures (through her blog).

The Last Letter ... :)

2011-05-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the Ramos family got baptized a true miracle but I will tell you all of that later. Tomorrow the temple and then home. I love you all and will see you later.

Mother's Day call

2011-05-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

We had a great conversation with Elder Musick last night. We probably overwhelmed him with our enthusiasm and excitement that seems to be building every day. He will be visiting old areas this week and will hopefully have a family baptism next Sunday. He received permission to attend the temple sealing next Tuesday of a family he worked with becoming reactivated. He is very excited for that. Yesterday he spoke at church with the Bishop and the Stake President. We asked if he was a "Big Deal" and he didn't think so :) He used to think so in High School - lol!) We encouraged him to leave behind anything that the other elders and members could use - pack light - especially when he told us he has fleas right now .... UGH! Anyway, it was great to hear him laugh. All of us are ready for his return, even though it seems so unreal. Hurrah for Israel, Sam!

It was nice talking to you guys last night. It was odd that is for sure, but I am excited to come home and see you guys; but I am pretty sad that I have to leave here. It is like going home but at the same time leaving home. I will be able to check my e-mail next week so if you want to send me my topic for my talk that would be great. Well, this next week should be a great week but I will have to work really hard to make sure everything turns out well.

I love you all and will see you guys soon.
Love, Elder Musick.

Finally ... May!

2011-05-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

Well, last week was a good week I think. On Monday we worked with a recent convert Hugo to write his testimony in the Book of Mormon and then we went with him on Wednesday to give it to his friend and after that he has been giving a lot of references to us. He only has three months as a member. That night we had a family night with the bishop but the family that they were working with didn't show up so tonight we will go again. Hugo also found out that I am going home soon and told me that I had to stop by the Monday before I go home. I have really enjoyed working with him and I think he has enjoyed working with us.

On Tuesday we just had a few appointments but also we had coordination with a mission leader and are working to get a thing called the mission process and things are somewhat moving.

On Wednesday I had to go to the capital for a meeting for all the district leaders which was good, but it has been the same one for the last five times; it doesn't change too much. But in the night time we had a lesson with the Benbow Family - he is Seventh-day whatever and the wife is a member but things are hard there because the wife doesn't really support us or him and he has a lot of questions which are harder to answer because he just trusts the Bible.

On Friday I was on divisions and had to do a baptismal interview but I had to say no because they had a problem with the Word of Wisdom. It is interesting because I could feel that something was wrong but she was doing so well and then that is when I started to verify and found out. But I am grateful the Spirit has truly been a blessing in many cases like that. We also found a family of five by contacting a door and they let us in and we just talked about baptism and then we challenged them and they said yes if the Lord tells them what we teach is true, but they could have a lot of potential. But we will see.

Saturday we went to help fix a table that I broke because we were making donuts and I was making the dough and the leg of the table broke. So we went and fixed it and then I taught English to one of the kids in the family that had some homework. Then that night I spoke at an activity with the youth about missionary work and then the Stake President spoke and his wife. Then there was food after.

Yesterday during church we had to give an example of the Atonement of Christ to help the Relief Society and the President asked us to help. We gave her the example and she had to teach it. It turned out great because all the women cried because the President offered cookies and me and my comp. had to do 10 push-ups for every person whether they wanted the cookie or not. We had to do like 200 or so. But I think the point was clearly made.

Also the Ramos family came but our biggest problem is his work because we don't know if he will be able to attend. So we are praying and working to help them. But the husband says he wants to be baptized the 15th but the wife is kind of here and there. But it is an amazing family. Next Tuesday I will visit my old members in an old area.

But love you all,
Elder Musick.

The Mission Board

2011-05-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

On the lower right corner is the Villa Nueva Zone and on the far side is Elder Musick and his companion and his district. (He is the only blonde in the zone.)
There are more fun pictures of the mission office on the GCC Blog

Easter Week

2011-04-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

Well, this week was odd, that’s for sure. Our area is right by a central park in Villa Nueva and so it was pretty quiet during the week because everyone goes to the coast but we had parades go through our area. On Friday we had zone conference, my last one and I bore my testimony, which was super sad. Afterwards we had to get off the bus before the park and then try and walk through hundreds of people - being careful not to step on the carpets or what they make for the parade to walk over.

Right now we are in summer here and in the afternoon it is really humid, but after that it is nice and cool and sometimes it rains.

This week we have been working with the Ramos Family and they accepted a baptismal date for the 15th of May, but the husband’s work might make it hard for him to attend - so hopefully he can. We also had a ward activity and we played futbol and had a BBQ. The Ramos family said they loved it because of the unity they saw and also because everyone played and they weren't fighting. So I am pretty sure they will get baptized and hopefully it will be before I go.

I wore my new suit and it was a big, big hit in the zone conference - everyone loved it. I am pretty excited for this next week because people will be back in town week.

Love you all,
Elder Musick

Easter week = Guatemalans on vacation

2011-04-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Elder Musick with Elder Vallecillo - an previous companion, now in his district
Elder Musick getting desperate for investigators or going to the dogs! :)

Well, on Monday we helped some of the ward members by changing some of the tin sheet on their roofs - that didn't take too long. This last week and also for this week we have been waking up at 4:40 am to call a family so that they can read and we read at the same time as they do. It is the ______ Family and they are doing good. Last night we had a lesson with them and for the past week I have felt like something has been wrong and last night we found out why. The husband works really late and when he leaves there is a girl that waits for him to walk home with him. He is a nice, but naive man that would do it but then stopped and his wife found out and they are having some hard times in their relationship. So last night we explained what they had to do so that they can get over these things, but it was so nice to be able to get that out of them.

On Thursday we helped Pedro Calel fill out his first tithing slip and he was very excited to turn it in, but it was sad because he couldn't - he had to take his daughter of one year and a few months to the doctor because she has an infection.

On Friday I went on divisions with Elder Rosales from El Salvador and that was great because he is a great missionary who I just enjoy being around and talking to. He has family in Cali and has been there as well and has plans to go there when he gets back. He will probably go to the office this change as Assistant to President Baldwin and also for President Braugh from Utah.

On Saturday we were contacting a little bit and as we were contacting a man call us over and he turned out to be a member who is inactive and his wife is not a member but the thing is that his wife is old enough to be his mom - which is kind of creepy. But he came with us to church yesterday and it was awesome because our recent covert Hugo gave him a great, warm welcome.

Well, that is what happened this last week. This week we will have zone conference which will be my last one so I will have to bear my testimony which will be sad - but I think I will go in my new suit. :) Also this week, it should be interesting because everyone has vacations and it might be hard to find people here. But we will be just fine.

Regarding housing I really don't care but off campus might be good because I can cook my own food which I think I would prefer. And in Idaho, that sounds good to me. And also I might need a little bit more money to buy everything for the family, but I will let you know next week. Also how long will I have at home before I go to Utah?

Well, I love you all and hope that you guys are doing well.
Love, Elder Musick

Just a quick one ...

2011-04-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, this last week was a harder week for us but at times it is good to have a hard week because those are the weeks that we grow the most. I did get my suit and it is amazing - if I do say so myself.

With these last changes it should make things interesting because my district is a lot different and I can see that I will have to be sure of what could happen. One thing I have learned is that it is not always the the problems we face but how we react to them can be the difference and is what matters most. I pray that you are all okay and that this next week I will write some more but I have even less time to write because we got here late and we have some appointments to go to. I love you all and pray that you are all okay.
Love Elder Musick

A surprise photo

2011-04-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sister Park for taking and sending this picture and her mom for posting it on her blog. It is always nice to see Elder Musick on his mission. He is on far left.

Loving Conference

2011-04-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Well, conference - as always - was amazing. It is so hard to pick a favorite because they were all truly amazing, but I liked Pres. Uchtdorf's Priesthood session talk about the man who lived beneath his privileges (on the cruise) and that as holders of the Priesthood we must not live below our privilege, but seek to receive all the blessings and to magnify our Priesthood. I really loved it all but when the topic of marriage came up I did not like it because there were eight of us and they all liked to make comments to me. But it was some food for thought, but thoughts for the future are in the far distant future.

This last week my companion and I were sick and were down for the count for a few days with a fever, but we are fine now. We had a lesson last night with the Ramos family and they liked church and it calls their attention, but they can't accept that they need to be baptized again because the Bible says only one baptism. So we are working with them to help them get over that challenge. The other difficult part is that he works like a slave. I am amazed at how much these people work for so little.

I can't believe that Jared is turning 30. How old! :)

Well, tomorrow I will finally get my suit; it looks good to me, I hope you guys agree. About the scripture case I need to know the size and what he wants on it as in what pictures to put on it. I heard that there are some machetes that have engravings on them and it would cost about the same as mine so I might get that because they are cooler, but let me know if it has to be the exact same type.

Well, things are good here but not a whole lot happened this past week so I don't have a whole lot to tell you all but I love you all and will see you soon.

Pictures from the GCCM blog

2011-04-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

Elder Musick is in the top right hand corner of the picture smiling heartily. This is a picture of the leaders in the city zones.

Elder Musick is peeking out in the center of picture - picture is of the missionaries in the Mariscal and Villa Nueva zones of Guatemala City

Thank goodness for the mission blogs so we can see a photo of Elder Musick from time to time.

March Madness

2011-03-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

It is true, I probably got spoiled for my birthday.

Well, we are working with a family that came to church yesterday and they seem real positive. We share a building and the other elders had a family baptism and the wife was asking us if they can be baptized again and that is their big problem - if they can be baptized again. But they are very open and hope that we can get them to conference this weekend.

I have spent most of my mission in the capitol and that is pretty much what the entire South mission has (for a newly called GCS missionary from your stake). I am still District leader and training and I am in my seventh change as a district leader. I will have 14 out of 16 changes in the capital. I just had two in the coast for two changes. About baptisms this last month in the zone we had 22 baptisms and in Feb. the mission had 141 but that was a record high in the history of the mission.

One of Sam's friends serving in Italy made the comment that South America has Baptizing missions, The United States has Teaching missions, and Europe has Fellowshipping missions. This was his response to that:
But I cannot really tell you if the teaching baptizing and fellowship thing is true but I do know their is an expectation to baptism always. What I have also learned is that when people say things are hard, we tend to put that in our head and we fall into the same thing and just expect things to be the same. I realize this because people told me this place was hard but we have been blessed. People also said Amatitlan was hard and we were able to baptize. But what I am saying is that we have to be positive and we can be the means to bring about miracles. I also realize that Europe is a harder place because we have even heard it said here from the area presidency.

I also did not get my suit yet because I need to get my vest ;) fitted but I will do that tomorrow and so within the following weeks I should get my suit. I am pretty stoked for it, though. (Funny thing, before his missions he would never wear a suit coat and now he is getting a vest!)

Well, right now I have the flu and so I am not doing so fly and will probably have to go and rest for I little bit because we have some really important citas tonight. One is with the family that came to church. We are going to have a family night with them and another family so that is super important. But don't worry I will be fine and thank you for the candy I am really enjoying it.

I love you all, Elder Musick.

PS What do you think Jared, Jordan, Lance and also what do you guys want from Guatemala? If you can help me out because I think this next change we will be going to Antigua and that is where I will buy all that I can for everyone.

Happy 21st Birthday, Elder!

2011-03-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well, for my Birthday - it started with going to our cook’s house and eating breakfast and I got a cake. After that we went to give service to a member whose regular job is making cakes, so they made me a cake as well. Then after painting her house, we left and went to eat lunch and shower and then to work. We had interviews for our investigators and afterwards we went to a baptism that the sisters had. As we returned we stopped by some inactive member’s house and they gave me dinner of rice and chicken, which was very sweet because they struggle with money. After that we went to our other cook’s house and had dinner and a cake and they sang and made hats and had balloons and everything waiting for me. It was a very crazy day, but blessed because we found a family that same day. Also the sisters in my district bought me a cake for today and the zone leaders got me McDonald's. I was very surprised to be treated so well. I did get your letters but no packages yet. [I counted 4 cakes in there – whoa, baby!]

We did have a baptism service Sunday and it was very special because there were so many people there. The building is shared by two wards and so the other elders with their investigators came to see it, too. It was standing room only. Next week they will be confirmed.

We also had a conference with Elder Falabella last Thursday and it was a really good conference. I also sang in it. There were five of us and at one point a sang a duo - if you can believe that because I still can't. So that is what has been going on lately with me.

About school - even though the Foreign Language Hall sounds like a great help, I think it might be too much of a commitment. Just go with what you feel like and I am sure it will be best for me.

I love you all and thank you for everything you guys do for me. And tomorrow I should be getting my suit.

Love you all, Elder Musick

"...my heart won't let me stop."

2011-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this week, can you do me a favor? Make up a wish list for those in the family so that I can keep my eyes out and I think next change we are going to go to Antigua so I can look there for souvenirs. That would help me out a ton.

My suit will be ready in a week from tomorrow. I am so excited to see it.

Yesterday (Sunday) we got up at 5:30 to leave the house at 6:30 to gather our investigators. We even went on divisions to try and get them all. Though we didn't get all that we wanted to, we worked hard to get those we could. I am so excited for the Calel family because they are going to get baptized this Sunday the 20th. There will be three and they are so excited. Yesterday I was thinking we needed to cover tithing with them and then in a meeting after we talked about them and how to get the Melchizedek Priesthood, we went to talk to them in the evening. We started teaching and he said that a member gave him the Gospel Principles book and that he was reading about tithing and that they were talking about how they need to do that. It is such a great family that has changed so much, I mean I can even see it in his eyes. It is amazing. I love this great work.

This next week we will have a zone conference with Elder Falabella (bio) the first counselor in the Area Presidency. That will be this Thursday so I am excited to see what will happen. With this conference I will have seen the whole Presidency in my mission - in a zone conference, that is. Well, I have been working hard and doing all that I can and I have seen how amazing the Lord really is.

Today in district meeting I talked about the importance of our purpose as missionaries to baptize and in this mission, to baptize families; and then I spoke about our personal purpose as in why we do what we do and why we came here - to try and stir them to meet their potential. I have no Idea if it worked or not but I pray it did. So as you guys can tell I am not very good at writing letters still after 22 months, you would think I would be better, but I am still trying to get better.

I love you all and this great work even though it is coming to an end I will work till I drop because the time is short, my energy waning, but my heart won't let me stop.

Love, Elder Musick.

P.S. When does Kevin or Matt finish? Keep me up dated on school but not too much because I was about to tell you that I didn't want to hear more and I would deal with it after the mission. So it was a good thing I got in. Love you all.

So things are going well

2011-03-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

Well, this week was pretty good because the Calel Family came to church and we are working with them for baptism on the 20th of this month. We still have a lot of work that we need to do to get them there and make sure that he does not fall again and drink. But it really is amazing to see the changes they are making because I can even see it in his countenance. I am pretty excited for some of the people that we have found and that we are working with. I can truly see that every time we teach a family we pray on our knees and we ask the father to pray if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was a Prophet and it is amazing to see that about 95% of the time they can feel something special and we help them understand what it is. The other day we taught a family about marriage and the wife was unsure about it and so we asked her to pray and after she began to cry because she had felt the spirit. I can see that the Lord will reveal us the truth of all things if we truly ask with a sincere heart, real intent and having faith in Christ. So things are going well.

I want to let you know that I will probably be buying my suit in this next month so if you can check how much money I have and let me know if I have a enough and also will you let me know if I have some to buy some souvenirs?

Also Sister Park is in my district and you can tell her mother that she is doing amazing there because a lot of things changed when she got there and they are having a lot of success.

I love you all and please pray for me so that I know what to do [about school].
Love Elder Musick.

He's a "Daddy" again!

2011-02-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

Well, it is kind of ironic that Bethany had Tessa on Sunday because on Wednesday I brought in a big healthy boy into the mission. I didn't name him, but his name is Elder Lagos from Honduras, Choluteca. He is very excited to have a white daddy. And sadly enough Elder Hansen went to Panajachel in Sololá right on the shore of Atitlan. So now I am on my second child. He has told me that he wants to “kill me” (as in the mission) don't worry, my life is not in danger.

I hope Dad had a great b-day and that he doesn't get too old on me. I hope that Bethany is doing okay and also that Tessa isn't too spoiled, but I can only imagine that that is inevitable.

Things here are good; we are working hard to help a couple of families that we have and are working with one in particular. They are the family Calel and he is working on not drinking, so if you could keep him in your prayers.

Okay with the school thing... look into if I take those classes at the Y will they transfer to the BYUI. And have you applied for work or did you not do that? If not, tell me what might be open so that I can make some decisions. This week I will do some thinking and praying, but if you could do that research and we will see how I come out.

I can see that the Lord has his hand in this, though I don't know what I am to do, but the Lord will guide me and I will know what to do. Do not worry, I feel that it is better this way. But if you can keep this subject in your prayers, but more importantly, the families Cruz, Calderon, Calel, Salazar and Ramos. But really the Calel family - so he and the kids can be baptized in March.

I love you and know that things will all work out to our benefit.
Love, Elder Musick.

Lots of exciting changes coming!

2011-02-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

Wow, that is pretty exciting! I am happy to hear that everything is okay and that does not surprise me that Jordan is just hovering over Tessa. I am excited for you all and please keep me updated on everything. (Sam’s sister Bethany just had a baby yesterday)

Regarding BYU, it is Elder Lewis and Elder Lowry who asked about being a roommate. It was pretty weird because I was just studying one morning at 8 and I got a call and it was Elder Lewis asking me if I wanted to room with them in the fall - it caught me off guard. They told me they are looking at Liberty Square, then Monticello, then The Elms. But what I did was send your information to Elder Lewis so he can transfer the info to his mom so you might get a call within this week, just to let you know. Elder Lewis was my comp in the office, if you remember. But please let me know if I got in or not because a lot of the decisions I have to make depend on that.

Well, this week I had to do a baptismal interview for someone who had committed a serious crime and had to call President Baldwin to describe the situation and then he gave me permission to do the interview. I will say that it is something that is truly amazing to do interviews like that because there is such a spirit about it and I can truly feel their level of repentance. What a very humble soul who got in a bad situation and had no way out.

Well, changes are this week so we will find out tonight what will happen. I am positive that I will be staying here so there is nothing to worry about. It is just if my companion will leave or not. So we shall see.
Well, I love you all so very much and please wish Dad a happy birthday.
I love you all.
Elder Musick.

Golf anyone?

2011-02-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well, this last week was pretty amazing because we went GOLFING - which was awesome for us all. We were 12 in total but broke up into three groups. In my group were Elder Davis and Montoya, the assistants, and then Elder Jacobs and Parker who were secretaries with me. It was really fun and super relaxing. So needless to say, if someone wants to go golfing, you can totally count me in.

We also had a really good week with lots of new investigators and a lot of lessons. We still have a lot to do to improve. We also had a dinner in the stake center with all the bishops and missionaries so that was pretty cool because we talked about some of the things we need to do and how we can better work together. I also went on divisions this last week and did three baptismal interviews. The weeks are going by super fast nowadays. I truly don't feel the weeks.

It is odd to think B will burst soon because I really can't picture her fat. Please describe that one for me - and I mean dad, he will be blunt and tell me ;) Well, I don't know what to tell you but things are going really well. My companion and I are doing really well together and the district is improving every week. I am so grateful for you all and make sure that mom doesn't get to baggy. Bryce and I talk a little by e-mail (we don't worry with pre-mission stuff) and he is talking to me about what we will be doing after the mission. But is he going to church or trying? Maybe you could tell me what he is up to because he won't tell me that stuff. But also, Mom so you know, I will go tomorrow in to get my suit fitted and it will be a nice one. So I imagine I am good to make that suit because you didn't say anything about it. But another thing - my shoes are falling apart and I could try and make them last till I get home or should I get some here - tell me so I can plan. I feel kind of bad spending all this money with golf and then the suit and now maybe shoes, plus you guys all want nativities. So can you give me a little heads up on all of that. I just want to know what I can do with the money because I realize it isn't really mine.

I love you all,
Elder Musick.

"I am enjoying my time here."

2011-02-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I would love a suit. It would be by the same guy who did Elder Montoya's but I don't want the flag (see blog picture) on the inside but I have talked to the guy and he told me that with everything I wanted it would be 1050 Q so in dollars like 130. I would like that and if you could put that money in, I can start the process of my suit because it will take awhile.

Also tomorrow we will be golfing so you also know I will be using some of my Christmas money and a little more. Also if people want stuff from me like Nativities and all that jazz, they need to let me know so I can try and get that stuff for you guys in time.

Yes, we had a conference with Elder Ballard - didn't I tell you about that? It was amazing. And some of our investigators went to it, too.

We also had a baptism of Hugo Padilla and Elder Hansen baptized him so that was pretty amazing because it was his first. We also started teaching a recent convert's husband and had a lesson with him yesterday, his first, and he was very receptive and even accepted to be baptized. We are counting it as a 'for sure' date because it is a while away and we don't know if we'll have any problems. But it was pretty amazing.

Also we were teaching the Cruz Family, the husband is a member the wife isn't. At the end of the lesson we challenged her to pray and ask if Jose Smith was a prophet and if the BOM is the word of Gad and she did it. I felt the Spirit and then asked her how she felt. She said fine and then I asked anything different and she paused and then said kind of. She then explained she felt peace and really calm and then I was able to testify to her that that was the Spirit and I felt like she somewhat understood.

What was really cool is that we had 50 people at the baptism and we have really felt a lot of support from the leaders so things are going great here in La Uniòn.

I love you all and hope you all have a great week and don't worry about me - I am enjoying my time here.

Love, Elder Musick.

P.S. So to cover it again: Golf-tomorrow will be like a little over 50 dollars. The suit for my birthday - 130 and also for my birthday I would like letters from people I haven't heard from and candy and also skinny ties. Love you B and let me know how things go.

Really skinny ties??? OK family and friends - send your Birthday cards to Elder Musick by March 19th. They usually take 2-3 weeks to get there and a card is 98 cents. Let's inundate him!!!

Working Hard, Finishing Strong!

2011-02-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Well, things here are going great. We are trying to work really hard with the members and are seeing some of the results. We were able to find a good number of new investigators, mostly from the members. It was pretty cool because one day we went to an appointment that fell through, so we went to stop by a member’s house and I felt to go down a certain street. We started walking and then I felt a to stop at a certain house - knocked the door and the man invited us in right away, without even asking our names or what church - just opened it and said come on in. I was pretty impressed.

We also have been working with a young man named Luis and every time we ask him to pray if it is true. After every prayer he says he feels weird and then we testify that it is the spirit, but it is hard because he wants something more definite. We also have a recent convert that was baptized because he was working the sound system for EFY; his wife and kids are members. He was also worked the sound system when Elder Ballard and Christofferson came. Well, the Area Presidency heard of the story and he was asked to share his conversion in front of all of them! He was also baptized by a member of the seventy.

We had a zone conference last Friday and it was really, really good. The zone Leaders talked about relationships with our Bishops and at the end Elder Jacobs told me that out of all the missionaries in the zone, I probably knew our Bishop the best even though I have the least amount of time with him. We also went on divisions yesterday and were able to have seven lessons and one with our first counselor and his mother-in-law who has a son in the south mission who entered the mission the same time as me. But the thing is I won't tell anyone my time so she doesn't know that. Well, I can honestly say that I am giving my all so that I can finish strong. I thank you guys for all your letters and words of support. I love you all.
Love,
Elder Musick.

P.S. Mom some of the elders in the zone are talking about going golfing. So I’m letting you know I might be using some money soon :) And also towards the end I want to get a new custom suit here that would be like $100 dollars. I think it would be super great deal – just so you know what I am thinking. I love you all.

New Area, Good Area

2011-01-24T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well, my new area is great I think because the bishop and his counselor have planned to go out with us every Wednesday night for two hours. Though I feel like I am opening an area because my comp. only knows where the investigators live and none of the members so we have been trying to get to know everyone. I have felt a lot of support from the leaders here and most of the members. We also put a baptismal date for the 5 of February with Hugo Padilla. He is a very sweet old man. Also my Zone Leader is Elder Jacobs from Pleasant Grove, Utah who was also in the office with me for six months. I have felt very welcomed here in the ward and that is good because I will probably “die” (slang for “finish his mission”) here. It is an interesting area but it looks like the projects in LA. I really get along with my companion - he is a great guy – but he really struggles with Spanish, but I have seen some improvement. I hope all is well with you guys. I love you all and thank you for your support and love. Also don't get too baggy. - Elder Musick

Who got caught? .....

2011-01-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Caught smiling and serving at December's Super P-Day Activity ...... Elder Musick and Elder Montoya!

More pictures on the Guatemala City Central Blog

2011-01-17T12:39:00.001-08:00

Sam and I have been trying to get applications ready to submit by a deadline so he just wrote a short note with the essential info I wanted to know and then the needed essay. I think he must have added the photos to appease me because of the short letter.

I am in a new area and it is still in the capital. It is called La Union in a zone calles Villa Nueva. I am with an Elder Hansen from Utah and this is his second change. He doesn't really know the area or the members so we are working to try to get to know all of them and the area. This ward seems really good and we hope to have success here. I love you all and will write more next week.
Love,
Elder Musick

January 2011

2011-01-10T22:57:00.000-08:00

~~~~~ Leadership Training - December 2010 ~~~~~~

Yes, this week is change week and I will know for sure tonight where I am going.

Today I am pretty excited because I will be going to a meeting with a member of the stake presidency to talk about switching our ward boundaries. I hope we can help him so that this ward won't suffer any more but will finally be able to grow. This last week we were really blessed in having people in church, finding three new families, and seeing a member we brought back into activity speak about missionary work. But today and tomorrow will be sad because I will be saying good-bye to people. But I guess that is how it has to be.

I love you guys and hope that everything can work out well with Uncle Dan. I love you guys a lot and hope that everything so okay.

Love you all, Elder Musick.

To be "Baggy" or not to be "Baggy" ...

2011-01-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

This week we got a call from an Office Elder asking into what airport did we want Elder Musick to fly; I said Bakersfield. The next day we got an email with his agenda and it had him flying to LAX then to San Francisco and then into Bakersfield by 7:00 pm. That was the preferred route rather than sit at LAX 9+ hours for a flight to Bakersfield arriving at 11:15 pm. Thinking that flying or sitting around when home is 2 hours away would be painful for us all, so we decided to pick him up in LA at 12:05 May 19th. It seems like a long way off and we hope we can continue to think that way. No sense in making us all crazy with anticipation for 4+ months. I relayed this to Sam and this was his response:

MAN MOM! You are so baggy just thinking about me getting home. I thank you for the BYU thing and I will read it when I have time. And I also told the office elder LAX because I knew it would take forever for me to get home any other way. But I am not baggy so don't worry.

For New Year's Eve I was on divisions with Elder Johnson and we went on top of the roof again, but this time the Chavez Family was up there as well and so that was nice. It was very crazy - it is really like a war zone when I see it all because our house is higher then the pueblo so we can see almost everything.

For church this week, we were so blessed because we had four families there and have seen a lot of progress in them. The 1st counselor's son is coming into activity again and he had a interview with the bishop, as well as another family who we are working with to go to the temple. In church the bishop was saying thank you to us because home teaching doesn't exist and was grateful for our work. We have been blessed because the families we have been working with are now helping us with referrals. Even some went up to bear their testimonies yesterday.

As for changes I think I am out because I had a meeting in the capital and the assistants were asking where I wanted to go. So I think I am out. It was also cool because today I just got a e-mail from my trainer and he is such a great guy. But I love you guys so much and hope you guys don't get to baggy because I will tell I'm not.
I love you,
Elder Musick.

Last letter of 2010

2010-12-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

Our call was nice and didn't really distract me; it is kind of hard to do that. The baptism was nice - there were just a few people there, but a very nice service.

Well, this last week was kind of odd because a lot of people left town or weren't here so that made it a little tricky. I hope that everyone comes back today and I hope that things go back to normal. It is odd to think that it is almost 2011 and I will be curious to see how it is here. It is sad here because a lot of people drink and there are a lot of drunk people, but the real sad part is we found a less active member stumbling drunk last night on our way to the house. I truly have learned a lot about the importance of the Word of Wisdom here because I have seen families destroyed and men who have lost everything or are losing everything because of their addiction to strong substances. I truly thank you Dad first for being a great example but to the both of you for teaching the importance of keeping such a commandment because I can see why the Lord would protect us in that way.

I really hope that this next week we are able to help some of our investigators get married and overcome some of their problems they suffer from. We have so many that are so close but just struggle with a few things and they know what they need to do but are having a hard time committing to doing it.

One thing that will be hard to deal with is that next week we will being going to church at 8:00. It will be harder because we will have to get up a lot earlier to help our investigators out, but at the same time I hope that they get up to be able to go. I am excited because the stake presidency should be making changes to the ward in January when we have stake conference on the 22nd and 23rd.

I am glad that you guys were able to go and visit Grandma and Papa and the boys and I hope dad has a great time at the Outlets ;) I love you guys and hope that you are having a great anniversary and that Christmas was a fun experience for you all.
Love, Elder Musick.

P.S. Thank you for checking into schools and keeping me updated on some of the places you are applying to.

Pumpkin Pie Treats at Zone Thanksgiving

2010-12-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

Elder Musick is on far left smiling with a really short haircut!

Service Fun

2010-12-20T22:35:00.000-08:00

Last week's questions you didn't address:

There are a few questions I would like you to think about before the call and I know you don't want to deal with this stuff, yet, but this will be our last phone call as I figure you will be coming home around Mother's Day and won't be calling.
1. Do you have a release date? I think the 20th I should be home or the 19th but something like that.
2. Do you want to go back to school early or in September as you planned? I truly don't have the desire to go back there because of all the changes they did and how ultimately I don't care to graduate from there so I thought it would be better to look for somewhere else rather than waste the money.
3. What type of work are you thinking about if you don't return to school right away? I don't know what would be better because I feel I could help the ward with my short time there and save more money and help some people while I am there but we can talk about that later.
4. Katie said she could try to get you on at Aspen Grove for the summer if that interests you. They love returned missionaries and it would be a great spiritually fun place to work. Along the lines of EFY counselors and you once expressed interest in that. We can apply there and see what happens.
5. Of course, Dad can use you at work, too. We'll talk on the 25th.

I think that I will call about 11:30 or 12:00 o'clock [my time]. I hope that will be okay. I will be calling from the phone of a member. He has an international plan so it should be better than last time.

It doesn't look like we will have a white Christmas but we are focusing more on the needs of our investigators rather than push them to that date.

This last week was pretty good. For our P-day we woke up at 5:20 in the morning and went to a small plot of land on the side of a cliff to pick beans. We did this for the first counselor who tore a ligament and can't walk or leave his house so we went and did that until 1:00. Then on Wednesday I went to the coast to receive training with all the leaders in the coast; I thought it was very well done and should help us grow as a mission. Then on Saturday we helped a family move which didn't take very long but it was kind of fun because it was a two story house so we just lifted everything up to the second level to make it faster and easier.

This week should be fun because we are going to give a lot of service because everyone wants to paint their houses; it is part of the culture, so we will be doing that a lot and we are going to go caroling as a district with some of the youth. I think we are going to try and pass by as many houses as we can to share a short Christmas message.

I hope all is well and I look forward to talking to you guys and Mom, would you try and give me options on work or school so that we can have a better conversation and a quicker one, too.

I love you all and hope all is well and wish the best to all the family from me.
Love,
Elder Musick.

Christmas Blessings

2010-12-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well, first thing I completely forgot to tell you guys about my great Christmas gift and that is that Elder Knight came back to me and he is in my zone, actually he is my zone leader, so I get to talk to him every other night. So I hope you sent him something for Christmas.

I am glad Uncle Dan is doing better and I hope that dad visits him often because I think it is something that is really important because I know that dad punished him a lot as a child so maybe now you can show him the love :) But in reality, I know it is very important to show him the love.

As far as the white Christmas, I truly don't know if it will happen or if it will be as big as we hoped. But we are getting a good number of investigators to church which is great but we still need to help them continue to progress because they still need more help with their testimonies. The couple I have been teaching in the temple prep class will be sealed this Friday.

This last week I caught a cold and that was kind of hard, but we still managed to do well this week. This next week will be a crazy one because I will be going to the coast for a two-day training and will be on divisions and then on Friday I will be on divisions with Elder Knight so I am pretty excited. With the district, we are doing well but there is room for improvement. I think we lack a bit of vision and that could be partly my fault but this following week, we have set some goals that I hope will push us to really achieve the success that I know we are capable of.

I got a phone call from Elder Montoya (the assistant) and he told me about the Rodriguez Family from Escuintla that got baptized a year ago – they were sealed on Saturday! He gave me the number but I will call them tomorrow to talk to them. It was the same family that came and visited me in church. I am so proud of them and wish that I could have been there, but I couldn't.

I love you guys and will plan on telling you about the phone call and all that will happen on the 25th next week. I love you all so much and pray that all is well with you all.
Love, Elder Musick.

Zone Conference Pictures

2010-12-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

Zone Conference with Elder Martino. Elder Musick is in the center of the Back Row.

Be sure to check out the awesome pictures of the kites they assemble and fly on the Day of the Dead on the Mission website (see right side bar for link).

TEN REASONS WHY A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS IS DIFFERENT

2010-12-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

-Written by Missionary Mom Sally Tielemans of Henderson, Nevada

1. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.

2. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

3. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.

4. Last Christmas we were wrapping gifts; this Christmas we are wrapped up in the work.

5. Last Christmas we looked into people's eyes when we spoke; this Christmas we look into their hearts.

6. Last Christmas we prayed to obtain a testimony; this Christmas we pray to share our testimony with others.

7. Last Christmas we were impatient with the weaknesses of others; this Christmas we are working on our own.

8. Last Christmas we read the scriptures as a duty; this Christmas we read them as a joy.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we are finding ways to consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas, Guatemala was just a place on a map; this Christmas, it is a place in our hearts.

This may be why he mentioned last week that this Christmas is so much better than last year.

Working on a WHITE Christmas

2010-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Well, with changes, like I said I am still here with Elder Adams. In the district Elder Allen and Hermana Rubio left and we received Elder Coreas and Hermana Mirne and she is being trained. So we have one in her first change, one in his second change, and one in his third change. Pretty crazy. And I can truly say that the Spanish in our district is definitely not the greatest.

So this week was a harder week for us because people just were not in their houses. But somehow we managed to get a number of people to church, so I felt very blessed. As a district we set the goal to have a white Christmas so we are trying to put all of our baptismal dates for the 25th. We have been working hard to make that possible. We had to get up one day at five to go to renap (?) and pull papers out to try and get people married. And it looks like we will have to do that again this week. As of right now it looks like it will be a trick, but we fasted are praying and working to do everything to make the 25th a special day for our investigators and to celebrate the Lord’s birth.

If you guys could pray for our families and investigators. I think your prayers can truly help.

This year I have felt like it is Christmas, last year - not so much, but this year I have truly felt the spirit of the season. I think the goal for the 25th has really helped me put this into prospective. One great thing that happened this week is that the Estrada Family went to the ward activity we had Saturday, then to church, and last night we went to the Christmas devotional. I was very impressed because they loved it all and after the Devotional the Stake Presidency had fireworks going off to watch and I am talking about the ones that you shoot in the air and then explode for a good display. But I think this week was very hard but at the same time rewarding. But I love you guys and hope all is well for you and tell dad to keep it up because we need to “be anxiously engaged in a good work”.
Love you all, Elder Musick.

"You can only get so American in Guatemala"

2010-11-29T16:02:00.000-08:00

Well, this last week we had a nice Thanksgiving because our zone all chipped in and bought stuff and made a nice turkey, well, two, and a lot of other things. We also played some football as in American football. But I do miss the days that I could play pick up games and never be sore, now it hits me pretty hard.

On Wednesday we had interviews. I had a nice chat with President Baldwin and Sister Baldwin brought us pumpkin pie - which was amazing. But the amazing part was that we, as in the four missionaries in the ward, bought a turkey and our cook made us a massive lunch with potatoes and pie and rice and salad; but the pie wasn't all that great because it was a squash pie. You can only get so American in Guatemala.

On Friday, as a district, we went to a school to help paint which was pretty fun but I will say that I will slap any child that treats American schools as a naught because here in Guatemala it is something truly sad. They don't have many things nor are the buildings nice; it really is sad how they look, but I can't tell you how they are as far as the teaching, but I can say it is different.

Here is a pretty bad story: we were on our way back and we saw some of the Sister's investigators that happen to be about our age. I was behind them all while the rest were in front of me. They said good-bye to the sisters with a Guatemalan hand shake and then a kiss; they also thought it appropriate to show the same to me. And before I knew what happen I got two kisses on my cheek and I was pretty embarrassed. Everyone else thought it was so funny, but I did not at all. Then the following day we helped move Jessica and her family (the one I baptized in August) but she just moved to the other area but are still in the ward.

And like every good Bishop (similar to dad) he forgot to assign someone and so right before the meeting he asked me to speak in Sacrament meeting and I spoke on families. And then right after I taught the temple prep class to a couple who will get married this month.

As far as investigators, we had a fairly good number, but the thing is, it is hard to keep it consistent - as in the people. Because one week it is one person and the following week it is another. So we are working to try and keep it consistent.

So I talked to some of my friends in the office and it looks like I will be staying here another change and that Elder Allen is leaving and that Hermana Wetzel will stay and train and Hermana Rubio will be leaving and going up. So we will see how changes really come out tonight.

I hope all is well with Uncle Dan and I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and hope all is well with you.

Love, Elder Musick.

All is well...

2010-11-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

Well, this last week we had “Family Week” in the stake and had activities every night during the week. As missionaries in the stake, we had an open house Tuesday and gave a tour of the plan of salvation - which everyone loved. We had several people there and all of them really enjoyed it. We have one investigator that is really progressing; her name is Hilda and she is the one who went on the church tours in the states and is now reading the Book of Mormon like crazy. We have other families that we are working with, but sadly none of them are married. So it will be another process. We had a young man of has been inactive for four years and he came back to church yesterday and we are teaching his family. He is a scout and loves the fact that all four of us elders in the ward are all scouts too.

Elder Allen and Johnson had a wedding and we were trying to get people there and the Roldan family(my converts) was there. I think they are the most faithful members in the ward; they are just so willing to help in whatever way they can. I really love them a lot. We had changed the ward mission plan and we are working on getting it into effect and we have seen some progress which is amazing.

As for my boy, he seems to be growing a lot and doing really well. His Spanish is improving a lot and teaches very well. And he understands how things should be. We are in the last week of the change even though next week I will write you here I will find out what will happen to us the following Monday in the night. So who knows?

Well, I hope you guys all have a great Thanksgiving day because tomorrow we are having an activity as a zone to celebrate as well. I love you all and thank you for your love and support.

Love, Elder Musick.

A Good and Busy Week

2010-11-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

~~~~~ Goofy or squirrelly? I can't decide! ~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Definitely goofy!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~

So this last week we contacted a reference from the Gaytan Family. She lives alone and just had an operation about two weeks ago. But the thing is, she went to the states to visit her cousin and happened to go on the church tour and went to the grove and to Joseph Smith's house and everything. She says she loved every second of it. She has such a desire to listen and go to church but can't because she is still getting better.

We also went to visit an inactive member and he is a very active scout and loves the fact that my comp. and I were Eagle Scouts. We are starting to teach his mom and we hope to have success with them. We also had some inactive members attending regularly so we have been excited about that.

With my comp. things are going well - his Spanish is getting better and a lot of the members give him a lot of credit for it. Time is really flying right now because this change has gone by really, really fast. I think I will be here another change with my "boy". We have seen some changes: we have a ward mission plan and at least some of the members are starting to help us. There is still a lot to do. Yesterday we were blessed because we had three families come to church and we need your prayers for them so they can progress.

We also went to the zoo and that was okay because I have been there three times now, but the best part was riding the little kids train. That was probably my highlight. I am also sending some of the wedding pictures and another of the piñata that I bought for the district. That was pretty fun.

That was pretty cool that you guys had a [stake] conference and everything. How are those new manuals and what changed? I don't see any of them but the super, super old temple prep manual for the class I am teaching.

I love you all and hope Katie is excited because she should be. But I love you all and will write you next week.
Elder Musick.

Striped Ties Abound - Looking Good!

2010-11-08T22:21:00.001-08:00

Elders and their striped ties - as posted on the Guatemala City Central Mission Website. Elder Musick and his previous companion, Elder Calto, are on the back row, second and third from right.

November 2010

2010-11-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, well about the whole Idaho thing. I think it would be odd to live there but then again I have never known another home except for the one you are in right now. But let's face it - I wouldn't care, but I would always say I am from California. I am glad you got to spend time with the boys, but it is very strange to hear that Parker turned one because I really don't even know the boy yet. Okay, so I just read over the horse and barn and pond and I could go for that.

So for the Dia de los Muertos, they didn't like us because they had their parades and we were just walking in the opposite direction so we got a lot of odd looks.

This week was a great week because we had a conference with Elder Martino. It was truly amazing; I learned so much and felt very impacted. There was a point when he asked what we had learned from President and Sister Baldwin. I stood up and said that President Baldwin will sometimes chastise us and then he asked me why, I said because he loves us. He then stopped and said, “Do you know what the first thing you did before you spoke up?” and I said, “No”. He then said, “You had a big smile on your face when you looked at him. You must really love your President”; and then talked about how President Baldwin can tell the difference between the sinner and the sin. I was really amazed by the conference.

Another thing - I was able to talk the Bishop into changing the ward mission plan so that it would actually work. It is the plan sent from Salt Lake and I think we have changed it so that we can really put it into effect. That was truly a big change for us and hope that it works and helps this ward to grow.

This week there is a temple trip and the Roldan Family is going through. I thought it would be better if we didn't go so that the ward would have the chance to help them and they can build some better bonds in the church. I also had the opportunity to give the Priesthood to Luis Roldan, which was very cool.

About my companion, it is interesting. He can speak well for his time and reads really well, but doesn't understand a lot. So I have been working on ways of helping him be able to teach more.

As for Christmas gifts, maybe insoles, two shirts, socks - but thin socks, and candy. Also some foot powder to help with the smell just a little bit because it is sometimes smelly for the humidity.

But I love you all and hope all is well with you guys. I love you and thank you all for your love and support.

Elder Musick.

Keeping the work moving

2010-11-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, Saturday and Sunday we had a district fast so that we can have families for the 27 to be baptized. My district is a lot smaller now, but I really enjoy them. As far as the ward is - we are trying hard to work with them, but it truly is a struggle because there really aren't too many active people that are willing or want to work with us. So we have decided to have an activity this month with the leaders to help them work together because that is probably the biggest problem. As a district we had some success with 7 baptisms, but we now are struggling with new investigators. We are trying to set goals and doing a few things differently so that we can have better success.

In my companionship we did well in finding new investigators but some of the others in the district are having a real struggle to meet their commitments. We did find a new investigator that knows English really well because he taught himself; he lives next to the church and is 18 and is a giant sports guy so I think tomorrow we are going to play with him and a few less actives to help them all out.

Things here are going great but it was really funny because today is Dia de los Muertos and so last night the Catholic church had a giant parade and it went straight through my area and I don't think that I have ever seen some many people hate me (?) in my life - it was silly. They would block off the roads and stop traffic and it was just silly.

Yesterday we - the four missionaries and the ward mission leader - also went around and visited some of the leaders to invite them to the activity we are going to have. The bishop does love us because we brought the attendance up but we still don't get much help. But I have heard promises from the stake presidency that things are going to change. I hope that is true because we are trying to push a mission plan that is from Salt Lake and use it in the whole mission, but we aren't having too much luck. So if you could just keep the ward in your prayers so that we can truly make the difference with this ward.

But as far as Elder Knight, he is in Chimaltenango by Antigua and I don't know what he would like. But with my comp. right now, I think he will get stuff and I think I will be with him another change. Hermana Chavez loves her present (apron) and uses it always. I love you all and hope all is well for you and thanks dad for the letter.
Love, Elder Musick

[If he didn't add that last paragraph I would have had to wonder if her even read my letter. We can tell he is so focused on the mission and his work. It does our heart good.]

Another new companion in Amatitlan

2010-10-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

Elder Musick's new companion is the third from the right, Elder Adams.

Well, I got a shocker this past week because it turned out that my comp. left and I stayed here in Amatitlan. So those in the office lied to me, but it turned out that I am training an Elder Adams from Arizona. He is about my height, but is whiter than me so everyone is very stunned when we walk by. I was very shocked because usually people train in the capital and I am the only one who is training outside of the capitol. The other crazy thing was that they changed the district up and now we are six: four elders and two sisters ... so we'll see how that goes.

They just had a family baptism last Saturday of three. I am very excited about the changes that were made. I thought it was interesting because the old assistant - who is my good friend - told me that they have been sending me hard comps for the last two changes. I thought they were a little more difficult, but I didn't think I was getting them because they were hard. I am excited to see what will happen.

Well, during the week we found out that we will have to marry another couple: it turns out to be the parents of the Fam. Roldan.

I am sorry this is short; I had to help my district use the internet so I couldn't write too much, but I love you all and ask for your prayers for the district to complete our goals we have set.

Regarding Christmas - just candy is fine and maybe two shirts and some thin socks, not thick ones.

I love you all and am sorry, but next week will be better.

This week ...

2010-10-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, this last week my companion was feeling just fine and so we were able to work. One thing that was really sad is that we had been teaching a family and they seemed to always have difficulties so we invited them to go with us to church for the fourth and last time. He said no in a nice way, of course, but then we explained the Sabbath and then invited him and he said no. I asked if he had something to do and he said no and so I just said it is just because you don't want to and he started talking about such odd stuff about the covenant with Abraham. So we explained we would not come back and some other things; but really it just makes us sad when I have felt the spirit testify to someone and they do not care to listen.

All the members keep asking what is going to happen with changes and who's out and the thing is I kind of know what is going to happen, but have not said a thing - nor will I till I have received the call. But it is really sad knowing what is going to happen seeing all these investigators say how much they love me or that it would be weird without me. So I can't lie, things will be hard these next couple of days. The other thing is that they changed change date to Wednesday and not Monday. We will find out changes tonight even though I know that Elder __________ [I don't want his mother to read this before he tells her] will be the next assistant to the President and that the district I am in will be combined with another and part of it will be its own district. I will tell you where I am going and what I am doing in the following week.

We also had the baptisms of the Roldan Family and I baptized the father and my companion baptized the mother and the bishop baptized the daughter. It was such a good baptism because we had a good number of members and watched a very cool video after on the life of Christ that was like six minutes long. That family is amazing -they want to go to the temple and be sealed and learn and change and do anything that we challenge them to do. Now we are working with the wife's parents. They have been to church a lot and want to be members but struggle with a few things.

But I love you guys and ask for your prayers that I can be the best I can and won't have to suffer from more back problems and other sicknesses because I have learned those are not fun.

I love you all so much
Elder Musick

Trapped...a wedding...new videos! Oh My!

2010-10-11T15:50:00.001-07:00

Well, this last week was a super, super hard week because my comp. got sick. They think he had chicken pox or Dengue; we are still waiting on the results. So this last week we had one lesson and were in the house all week. We went to the capital twice to have his blood drawn. But really this last week was boring and sad. But I do have some great news: the Roldan Family got married on Saturday so this Saturday we should have three baptisms and we are so very excited. They are very happy and working so hard to change and be better. It truly is so amazing to see the change that this gospel brings to the lives of those who truly seek for it. I was really sad because we could not be at the wedding because Saturday we got a call and we had to go to the capital to get my comp's blood drawn so we missed it, but I sent someone with my camera and I will send some photos next week. The cool part was that we had a lot of our investigators at the wedding and actually the Escalante Family was there and they are talking about getting married as well. So that is really all that happened this last week.

In other news, I got copies of videos of a new program that they are implementing throughout the world. This morning I was using them to teach in the district meeting; I thought it went really well. It is called the district 2. I don't know if Katie ever saw them, but they are truly amazing and the videos are mine so I can use them after the mission, too. I can make myself mission baggy after the mission. But I think it helped us understand our purpose as missionaries better. One Elder in the district is going home this change and he was asking me for copies so that he could watch them after his mission.

I also realized that it will be super hard to go home and study because I am so accustomed to being outside. I did pretty good through the week (being trapped in the house) until yesterday I lost it I was just walking around pacing and trying to do something but it was really hard.

Next Monday will not be changes, but it will be Wednesday so I will know Monday night if we have changes or not. I really hope I don't have changes because I really love this place. It is super hard because the ward is so weak, but I just have learned to love it. Yesterday I felt to bear my testimony so I got up and after me a member got up and gave a soft sweet testimony about how the ward needs to help the missionaries and other things, of course. But afterwards I thanked him and he asked if we have changes coming up and I said, Not until the 20th” and he said, “I hope not” and gave me a hug. I was very touched by his desire to serve.

I love you all and hope all is well. Thank you for the Priesthood line of authority. I love you, mom, so much and hope all is well with you.

P.S. Tomorrow we are going to Antigua and I think I am going to buy a backpack because mine is breaking. There I can haggle to work it down to a low price. I know I am spending a lot of money lately but it is for my mission and all of these things are to last me to the end and after. I hope you’re not mad about the money thing but I love you.
Elder Musick.

Loving Conference ...

2010-10-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well, for conference I got to watch it all in English with about six gringos which was nice. We had the Pineda Family there for two sessions and the guys showed up for the Priesthood session. They all really enjoyed it. We had a few others show up so it really was excellent. I truly loved every second of it. It really is so much better in the mission because all we do is just focus on the gospel. It is like the Superbowl or the World Cup for missionaries. Seeing all the big name players show us how it is done. Out of all of them I loved Uchtdorf, Ballard, and Monson … well, really all of them. But I will say we priesthood holders need to prepare ourselves because they were calling on us to be better and reminding us how the family will be attacked. We definitely need to analyze ourselves better.

This last week was a crazy week. We had divisions for three days for training and then conference on the weekend, so working in the area was a little more difficult. We are hoping to have at least one wedding and to have at least three baptisms the following week. It would be the Roldan Family. They are doing so well, working so hard to progress and change. They showed up to conference without us and really early to get a good seat.

Well, I hope the rain stops because it has been bad. I sent a picture (below) when I was at the Gaytan family's house - I was soaked so they gave me something to drink and clothes to warm me up. Also pictures of the baptisms we had last change and some other cool ones.

Well, I love you guys and hope all is well. I pray all is well with you guys and that you are having a great time.
Love you all, Elder Musick.

PS Mom can you e-mail me my Priesthood line of authority and a photo of my baptism for next week and send the line in Spanish please. (?) I bought a memory stick so that I can send photos without hooking the camera to the computer and messing up the camera (like the last one). Love & thanks.

It's raining, It's pouring...

2010-09-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

We asked:
How are you doing? How are the rains? I see rain (Thunderstorms, Heavy T-storms, scattered T-storms and showers) in your forecast for the next 10 days. Poor Sam.... Do you ever dry out? Do you use your rain jacket, take an umbrella, or rain poncho? Do your shoes dry out? We have been watching Hurricane Matt turn to Tropical storm/depression and drizzle out, but not before dumping tons of water on you. Tell us some details, please.

Well, the rains kind of stink at times because it makes working a little harder and colder. As for my clothes and shoes they are always wet and don't really dry out. Example: I am writing you right now and my feet are all wet. I always use my jacket a lot but I still get soaked. But the thing about the rain is not about the water but about the mudslides. It really stinks walking into a house and we just get everything soaked.

Now tell us how your temple sealing went?
The temple sealing was truly one of the greatest things I have ever seen in my life. They were so grateful and so so so happy. The dad says I have to come back and I want to come back in the end of December and some of January of 2011 and 2012. So you guys know my plans. I truly feel like they are my family here. They try and take care of me and always want us to stop even if it is just to say hi. It was kind of sad because the oldest daughter (22) couldn't be a part of it because she was too old so that was sad. But yesterday she spoke in church and gave an amazing talk.

This next week we have a training in the capital for three days for leaders and so that will be kind of hard to plan for the weddings and everything else. Thursday we woke up at 4:30 to take out birth certificates and some other things to get these families married but we ended up leaving there at 12:30 so that was a long hard day. The families we are teaching are doing well - all getting better and hopefully everything will work out.

Well, can I just tell you that things here are great, but this ward needs help and so please pray for them. I thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue praying for our investigators so that we can have these weddings.

I do just want to tell you all how important families are because I have seen how the Lord has blessed families here with the Gaytan family and many of the other families. I have seen how little kids taught their investigating father to pray and set the example for him to be better.

I love you all and am very excited for B and Jordan. I love you all and pray all is well with you. - Elder Musick.

¡My first sealing!

2010-09-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well, things are interesting here, as always. We had the family Roldan and Pineda in church and the children of the family Escalante. We put a date for marriages for the 9th of Oct. and hopefully the baptisms will follow shortly after. Could you guys please pray for the family Roldan that they will get along and pull their papers out and also the family Escalante will pull their papers out and that Carlos will not be influenced by his friends but will follow the spirit. Also, that the family Pineda will be okay and that Francisco will not drink again. We did find two very positive new investigators and they are referrals from two families in the ward. We also had ward counsel for the second time this year and so I am really happy getting the ward working again. The coolest news is that I will be going to the temple this Friday to see the Family Gaytan get sealed. ¡My first sealing!

Yesterday Elder Allen and I - because we are going to the temple - we worked yesterday through our p-day and we went to the sweetest little town or aldea in the world. We went to contact a referral and found the mother of an investigator that Elder Allen is teaching. We helped sell fruit as in I was pushing the wheelbarrow and contacting the whole aldea and everyone loves us there. It was pretty awesome. The place is right on the edge of Lake Amatitlan, but because of the weather problems the lake has raised a lot and has flooded a lot of houses - it is sad to see. But it was a really amazing experience.

That is crazy all these people who are prego and it is amazing to hear about the success of the missionary effort [in your ward] because it is really important. Here because without us some wards and Branches would be lost, but it is a way of spreading and establish the church. Speaking of, we had the attendance up to 116 and it has been going up. The Bishop is very happy with us and we are really hoping to have some success in the following month. I thank you all for your prayers and continue to ask for them so that our investigators can grow and that I might be a help to my district and my companion. I love you all and hope all is well.

PS I bought shoes here that were 400 or 500 and they are pretty strong and should be just fine. Sorry because I went to like six places and they didn't even have my size. But payless did and they were a little more expensive but worth it I'd say.
Love, Elder Musick.

Marvelous Missionary Miracles

2010-09-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I will start out by saying I have truly seen miracles in this last week. First, we have a family we are teaching and she is married and her husband lives in the US and they have been separated for more than ten years. The problem is that she is living with some else and they have three kids. But she just got her DPI which is her ID and it says she is single. So she is going today to verify if it is true and if that is so she can get married and the family can be baptized. It would be three baptisms.

The other is a family we are teaching. The dad hasn't drunk in a month and is working on trying to stop smoking. But there is a daughter who lives next door who has two kids and we are working with them to marry them (as in the daughter) and then try and help the dad stop smoking and drinking so that he and his wife can be baptized. That would be five with all of them. But the amazing thing is that the daughter’s husband is trying to change and went to church yesterday. So if you can pray for the Escalante Family and the Rineda and Roldan families so that they can all be baptized.

But it doesn't end there. On Saturday an appointment fell through and I just felt to visit a family who were returning to church. We shared D&C 121 and we found out that she didn't pay her tithing for a few months, but had then paid that and is now up to date, and that more importantly he had the desire to go to the temple for the first time. The following day, Sunday, the stake presidency had a meeting with the family and so that night they called me telling me that they will be sealed as a family on the 24 of this month and that the mom was crying and telling me that I had to be there. I dropped on my knees crying in thanks for that great blessing. It is the Family Gaytan who I truly love like my own family. I was the first person they called after talking with the stake presidency. I hope and pray that I can be there to see that great blessing. (P.S. Hermano Gaytan told me that I have to come back and that we will spend a week at the coast and that if I wanted we can go up to Peten for a few days in his truck.)

But I have seen some great blessings coming upon us and I pray that we can have these two weddings and I can be there for the sealing because the rules about going to the temple are strict. So please pray for these things so that these miracles can come to pass. But I have seen the importance of the family as well here because it seems like miracles come true when they are about families and how they are living the ordinances of the gospel.

Well, I love you all and tell you these things so that you can join us in prayer and not to show off in pride because I realize this is truly the Lord’s Hand and not by any means me. I love you all and hope all is well. And thank you all for your love and support.

P.S. I am going to buy shoes tomorrow because mine are dead and I believe that you do not need a receipt to get them to send new shoes to you for after the mission. But I love you all and pray for your safety.

Love, Elder Musick

Happy Bday, Presidente

2010-09-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

Elder Musick (in upper left hand corner) helps wish President Baldwin a Happy Birthday.

A Peruvian Companion Change

2010-09-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am doing good. I did not have changes but my companion did. I have received Elder Calta from Peru -awesome, right? He is a very humble, loving, kind, and positive person. He was actually trained by Elder Jimenez who was my companion at the coast. It is his third change in the mission and he has been out for 4 months. His parents are not members, just three of his siblings are. He is a convert of three years. He learned Spanish and I guess had kind of a hard time in the CCM with it. He knows two Peruvian languages. I pretty much received the opposite of Elder Vallecillo, my old companion. The district had some odd changes because all those who had one change in their areas all left except one, but his companion will die this change. And all those who have more time in their areas stayed.

(Elder Calto is the only elder in the front row - on right side)

My back is fine; it really is all better.

About our investigators, it is a little more difficult because the ward is pretty weak, even though we have seen some big changes, we really receive little to no help and 0 references. But we are here working hard and trying to figure out what we can do better. This change should be exciting because I believe that we are going to have zone conference and I believe Elder Martino will be present. And our convert, Susy, is looking for work. She was offered a job and it was super nice, but they wanted a ton of things like work on Sunday and she said no and now is still looking. So I felt really proud of her. As for us we were contacting the other day and a family let us in and we taught them and are going to return to visit them on Saturday. It is really amazing to contact and have people let us in and listen, too and we truly pray we can have more of those because that is the only way we are finding new investigators. I am very excited but nervous for this change, but I have great hope for it and a lot of support from my companion.

I loved all of the messages and felt very loved and am very excited that you all were able to celebrate Grandma's birthday. I do love you all and pray all is well for you guys.

As for my shoes and backpack I think I will just buy them here and that way I can just have the replacements shoes for after the mission. I do love you all and pray that you will all have a great week and that you guys don't get to baggy - I mean I do have a little more than 8 months to go, so don't go planning my homecoming just yet.

I love you all, Elder Musick

A big change for Elder Musick!

2010-09-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

Leaving the office in June 2010

The Guatemala City Central Blog

2010-09-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

On the Guatemala City Central Mission Blog (http://guatemalacentralmission.blogspot.com) there is a picture of Elder Vallecillo, Sam's current companion, in the first picture (far left) of the 2010 June Zone Conference Photos. Also there is a video with just a peak at Sam helping at the service project in 2010 May Service Project. I'd recognize that head anywhere!

Yeah! Two Baptisms!!

2010-08-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

I have good news because we did have two baptisms this last week and I was blessed to be asked to perform both of them. Susy is amazing because Sunday in the last hour we were all together and it was about the Priesthood and she was sitting there taking notes. The Bishop taught the lesson and towards the end asked me to read a quote about how if someone was not worthy to talk to the Bishop and after I asked to share a word and spoke of how I have seen how my father worries about everyone in his ward and that this bishop does the same and cares for us and wants to help us and that we need to talk to him so that we can use our Priesthood. I feel that he appreciated my effort to help him.

That was pretty cool that Katie got to go back to Idaho and see those great blessings and ordinances in the gospel.

Yesterday was a good, but hard day. We went to an appointment, but they were not there so we started walking around to contact and the first house we got to they let us in. My comp shared the lesson and at the end we asked if the dad would offer the prayer. He said he would do his best, though it was different. He said that he was a very hard person and that that was the first time he had prayed. When he finished his wife said that he never lets people in and that he is really hard but he was trying so hard to listen to us. I was amazed and we have the next appointment for Wednesday. This last month the district found 155 new investigators and had four baptisms and they have a lot more dates set with people. I feel very proud of my district and their work that they are doing. This Saturday we find out changes in the district so we shall see...

Mom, thanks for the garments, I have received them and also the letter you sent me. So thank you. But I was wondering about my Eccos and if you got the pictures from Jordan or Jared because one has a mouth and holes in the bottom. I still have another pair but they aren't great so please let me know and also my backpack is pretty much done and so I was wondering if it would be better to buy one here that isn't great or have you send me one. Please let me know for next week. But I will write on Wednesday.
Love Elder Musick

Time for baptisms and new shoes

2010-08-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well, this week should be a really good week because we should have two baptisms on Saturday, so we will have that to plan. This last week was cool - we had divisions with the Zone Leaders and I went to their area. I really enjoyed teaching with Elder Cano because he teaches so well and it was nice to switch and teach with unity. Yesterday we had an activity as a stake and we went out with the youth and single adults. It was really cool because Susy (who has a baptismal date for this Saturday) went and contacted with us in Central Park. She said she had a great time and really enjoyed it. It was so very cool to see.

Scott (Carter recently returned and reported from Mexico mission) is so fun. I don't think I have really applied sports in the mission like he has. I have taken what I have learned in sports and applied it on how to be a better leader and to help my district. The way [Scott describes] contacting on the bus is normal here because other pastors do it, but it isn't that effective. And about Elder Butler, I have no idea who that is - maybe the name is wrong, could it be Budge or something like that? About B and J’s baby picture thing – it is kind of odd, but really normal for them, so I am glad to hear they are themselves, insane.

The rain is still here as it rained all day yesterday and I am sure in a little bit it will rain again.

With the training methods I am really able to teach and apply them and found them to be helpful, but I do need to study them better so that I can better apply them. My district has five baptismal dates and we are improving but we still can do better. My old companion, Elder Knight is amazing and if he ever comes to the states, I will totally take care of him and show him around.

I did get your package on Saturday and am wearing the pants you sent and am really grateful - so thank you for the candy and the pants but my shoes (my Eccos) are almost done. I had a member send Jordan and Jared the photos of my shoes because of the whole Spanish thing. So if you could send those in to get me the other pair because they are under warranty.

Sorry, it seems like everything is breaking on me - like I am old or something. And I think I realized why I struggle so much with my Spanish, because I remember when I was learning English and I really struggled to read and everything. Well, it has come back to bite me in the butt with Spanish. I can speak and express myself, teach just fine and understand everything, but I do still struggle and can improve if the prayers keep coming. I would appreciate it.
Love you all,
Elder Musick.

Whoa, Baby!!

2010-08-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Received Aug. 16, 2010

Well, I have just been hit by a ton of news. [His sister Bethany is expecting a baby!!] Okay, first things first:

My back still hurts, but little by little it is getting better because President Baldwin is letting me use his personal therapy thing to stimulate my back every day. I have hope the pain will be gone by the end of the month or at the next change.

The new training I went to last week changed my life. I feel like I have been doing missionary work all wrong. It really changed the way we act and teach. I love it and I hope I can truly put all of it into practice. But the food at the training got everyone sick so that wasn't fun because I woke up one night throwing up and other things as well :( But I’m better now.

I enjoyed your thoughts on my comp. and I am open to learn from him but he does not care to learn from anyone and has clearly expressed he does not like leaders or anyone over him. So that is tough being a leader and getting no respect. The leaders know I am struggling and are a lot of help plus the other elders in the ward are a lot of help, too.

Also Elder Knight may not respond but he is receiving your letters so keep sending them - it is needed. That is so funny about Josh [Speirs] and Katie as well. And Rachel [Griffith] will love it down here in Guatemala.

I love you all and am blessed to hear from you and to feel of your love. Thank you all for everything. Love, Elder Musick

PS what did you send to me? [The wait is killing him!!!!]

From Elder Knight

2010-08-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

We have started a correspondence with Sam's old companion who does not get any mail and we wanted to share how cute his first letter is. He is from Honduras, but his English is amazing!

Sister Musick (Elder Musick's mom) I`m happy to receive a e-mail from you. The letter that you did send me I did not read the translation in spanish, i just red it in english and it was O. K. It was my first letter..., I am very excited. I just wanted to thank you. I am very sad too for my best companion Elder Musick, I learned from him a lot of things that are helping me now to work hard like a real missionary, all my other companions are great missionaries but i feel something special for him. My english is not so good, but i hope you understand it. My new companion is from El Salvador, we did a baptism last week an this week we`ll have a nother one. Here in our area we have a lot of investigators, but we are trying to find the people that are redy to receive the restored gospel. I like this area a lot. Also I love these people. These is a great oportunity to be in contact with you and I`ll wait for more letter from California, jajajajaj.. in email form es very fast but a letter will be better because so I can keep it on with me. I hope I learn more inglis so I can write more a bout tha mission an my life. Thank you Sister Music for the letter in this email. I want to be with Elder Musick more thime.
With love, Elder Knight.

Bethany and Katie think we should adopt him ;)

Keep him in your prayers, please

2010-08-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Well, things here are crazy like always. Tomorrow I will have my training in the capital for four days. I won't lie, it will be a nice break from my companion. He is just so prideful and does not like gringos and tries to always be better and just say negative things about me and gringos. So if you have any ideas on how to deal with that, please let me know.

As far as the district goes, we are doing well and are working hard. Our numbers are going up and things are improving. We still have a lot of work to do. As for us, we have one baptismal date set and she is doing great. This last week Susy had an operation and they removed two tumors from her breasts. (Just so you know the people are very open and tell you anything - so that is how we know.) Yesterday we went with the Gaytan Family (the dad is a doctor and the mom is a supervisor) and they looked in here and helped the mom and Susy and the dad (who is inactive) bore his testimony and it was really good. We still have a lot of work to do to improve the area, but things are getting better, I think.

My back still hurts, but I will leave it at that. I ask for your prayers and support at this time. Next week I will have the zone leaders and the assistants at my district meeting - so I better be prepared. I love where I am and the people here. I am suffering from some difficulties, but that is life, but I feel like things will get better. I rejoice in my weaknesses and my difficulties because they are from God and meant to change me and shape me it to what He wants. If you all can pray that our district can find new investigators and put baptisimal dates with those we are teaching now it would be a blessing for us. I love you all and am thankful for your love and supportive words.
Love,
Elder Musick.

P.S. Did you send my pants to me with some other things? If so what did you send? And about the gift - I really don't know but she likes to cook and they have a photo of the Guatemala temple. Sorry I will try and think about that better.

August 2010

2010-08-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, first I don't know if it would be a good idea for you to send a different backpack - that is a little much but would it be better for my back and still rain proof? I don't know if that would be too hard and if it is, don't worry about it. The back brace? What kind? If you think it is good then I am willing to try it. And by “good stuff” to send, I mean candy, Jerky - no and food to cook - no, really just candy and my pants because I really need those pants.

Also if you could send something nice as a thank you to the Chavez Family who are our neighbors. They really helped me out a ton and maybe you could send something to say thank you for us. Just a thought, I want to do something but something from you would also be nice - but not mandatory.

Yesterday we were really blessed because we had 7 investigators at church and we had two families that were inactive there. One of the families we have been working hard to get the dad to church, because he drinks sometimes. But the wife wants to be sealed and all the kids want that, too. The son is thirteen and will go out with us and has an agenda like us. But yesterday the whole family was there which hasn't happened in like a year or so. And three of them stood up to bear their testimonies. This is the same family that the parents are doctors and they came over when I was really sick and have been helping me for the past month. We went over with a cake yesterday to say thanks and watched a movie about temples. At church I bore my testimony. The bishop’s wife [who was hit by a car - see post on June 28th] came to church in a wheelchair; it has been the first time in a long time that she came. So we had a good number and the next week we have ward conference and the week after that - stake conference.

The district is improving. I put a goal for this week to have ten baptismal dates or goals to be baptized. We have a lot of investigators that are pretty close to being baptized, so if you could pray for the district, I would really appreciate it and think it could really help us. And maybe my back as well.

This next week will be a different one because I will have training in the capital for four days. Which means I will have to go on divisions with Elder Allen in my district and my comp. will go with Elder Allen's but he is a brand new gringo so we'll see how that goes. The training is about a new kind of program they are setting up in all the missions throughout the world to help integrate the new missionaries that come in. It is to help us teach more with the spirit and not just to teach the lesson but the person. So I’ll let you know in a couple of weeks how it went.

I am sorry it is sad that the boys are leaving, but I am sure it is for the best. And let me know what happens with Jared and also the other kids because I don't hear from them too much, but it is probably because they don't hear from me. So if you could keep me updated on them, too - especially Bethany …

As for Elder Knight, he loved your letter and didn't even look at the Spanish part. So if you want to write it just in English, that’s fine. My new comp. is a little more difficult because he is kind of prideful and likes to do things his way - which is tricky because he is new here so he does know much about the members or the ward but wants to lead. It is a good thing I was so indifferent before the mission because I know how to take things as they come, but I don't let him just run amok. But I do see all of the good things and we do work well together; but I can also foresee problems in the future. But things are fine. He just has a proud Honduran thing - very comparative to his country and how things are there and here. He is helpful (for the most part) with my back.

I love you all and thank you for your letter and prayers and still ask for them - especially special prayers for the familia Escanlante (and their divorce) and Susy (to accept a date to be baptized) and Jessica (the same).

Thank you and love you and am proud of dad for hiking Mt. Whitney again.
Elder Musick.

"Back" to work

2010-07-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Jared and Cherie’s big move sounds great … because I am not there ;) But it is exciting and I hope all goes well for them.

As for me, I have been receiving therapy for my back, which I will finish up tomorrow. I have been traveling to the capital a lot to receive the treatment. But to be honest, I have felt very little difference and was told to rest more. It has nothing to do with the original problem, but is just a spasm in my back.

I have also received a new companion and his name is Elder Vallecillo from Honduras La Ceiba. He is very different and very proud of where he is from. He has been out 4 months in the mission and was trained by Elder Lowry who is one of my favorite missionaries. It will be different this next change. I will miss Elder Knight because he truly was a very loving companion and asked that you please write him whenever you can, I think he was my favorite comp. It is always sad to leave someone so good. In my district, every companionship had changes and so it is completely different; I am excited and a little nervous for some of them.

I would like to ask for your help and prayers for strength in my back and also to help my district. One of the Elders just started his mission and this is his first area and he is very excited. It was funny because he is really friendly and waves and says hi to everyone. As we were walking over to use the Internet he waved at a couple of girls on a motorcycle and they got really excited because he is a giant green-go. It was so funny and yet he thought nothing of it. It is nice to get back to work somewhat and to be teaching and out and about again.

Elder Knight did get your letter and loved it and was so excited but he said he was going to write you back, but we'll see. I love you all and hope all is well, I am sorry again it is on Thursday; it is because of my therapy. P-days are on Tuesdays, but we write on Mondays unless something happens or we have changes.

Love you all and ask for your prayers and love always.

PS. Mom can you send me my pants you were holding on to because I need them … and maybe some candy and some good stuff :)

Love you, Elder Musick.

A Bad, Bad Boo and skinny, too!

2010-07-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I will tell you everything that has happened. ..
About a month ago I had got sick just a little boo, but then a giant back pain. The boo went away and then came back a week after then left, but all the while I still had back pain. I had some appointments with doctors who took blood, poo, and pee to test - normal, of course. I had x-rays taken on my back: small problem but the same one as before my mission. So then I had another appointment Monday, but before that I got food poisoning and couldn't go to church because I was throwing up all day Sunday and all the way until Monday morning, and I mean it was coming from both sides [ends?].

The Doctor told me I have a spasm in my back and will be doing therapy for two weeks, but just two times a week. I am starting to eat food now but it hurts and I am still pretty weak and skinnier. However, I had a lot of love and help from the members here. Our neighbors came and sang a hymn to me on Sunday and then I got a blessing. Another family gave me a ride to the capital for my appointment. Others call, worry, or fast. A family who are pretty much all in the medical field came over to see how I was doing and offered a lot of help. But I think the storm has passed and things can only get better. Sadly, it has left the work and our investigators on the back burner. My companion was pretty worried; he had never seen someone throw up so much. He was very helpful, but sadly, I think we will have changes this next Monday and with my “in” in the office I know it will be a Latin from Honduras who is fairly new.

It has been sad that Elder Knight and I couldn't work much together because I was so sick. But I have seen changes in the ward: the bishop is happier, we have more coming to church, and the leaders seem to be doing better. But there still is a lot of work to do. In the district I have seen a steady drop in work, well, in finding new investigators which saddens me because I feel with being sick I needed to do more, but I find that I am not able to help my district. I am still trying to figure out how to be a leader and how best to lead in the mission. I have found that it is not easy. But it is necessary.

The back pack picture was just a joke because that was Elder Ruddle’s bag with all his clothes. Also I wrote a letter to the young men [for the Mt. Whitney Hike] and Daniel [a new convert from high school] but sent it to Bethany’s address because I couldn't remember your new address. And Mom, you need to get some sleep because you really don't make sense sometimes in your letters. I love them and they make me laugh, but get some sleep, Mom.

I love you all and hope things are going well.
Love, Elder Musick.

Prayers needed on his behalf

2010-07-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been thinking what I should write you guys and tell you about me being sick. Well… it has been over two weeks and I am still suffering a little bit. I had diarrhea, and a lot of other things but I took some pills and now I am doing better, but the really problem is in my back. The thing is - it is worse than it was before my mission and it isn't just in my lower back but higher up. I have seen a doctor from the mission who did nothing and President Baldwin is very angry with him. But I have talked to a member in our ward and he is a back specialist and has offered an x-ray for free and so I will try and do that today. But don't worry; he is an amazing doc who knows what he is doing. But I can't receive treatment from him, just an x-ray, but that will help us decide if I need a chiropractor. If I go to a chiropractor that means we will have to pay and the church won't cover it. But it is nothing to worry about, I am fine and trust me, I will last my whole mission and will not come back early.

Two cool things happened this past week. We went to a member’s house and they are newly married and are very supportive of us. They have decided with a few other members to fast for me and that they are always praying for me and my health. Others are calling me and the lady next door stops by and is always asking how I am doing and is very worried for me all the time. I have truly felt such a love in this ward and feel so blessed to be here.

The other story is that we went and taught an old inactive bishop. He was the first bishop in the first ward in Amatitlan. He showed us an Ensign and it shows him and some missionaries dedicating the pueblo. We asked him how it all started and then I asked him how he felt and he began to describe a few stories of some real miracles that happened and then he cried and the spirit was very strong. We had a less active young man who was with us and he thought it was very cool. I thought it was really cool, too.

Tomorrow we have zone conference, so I am really looking forward to that. I also had divisions with Elder Montoya (who is also friends with Ashlee) and he is such an amazing young man - if you chat with his mom on mom talk or whatever it is [Missionary Moms] tell her that her son is amazing and has been a big help to me when I was sick.

I love you all and still ask for your prayers so I can keep going and helping my district and being successful. I love you all very much and I pray all is well. I received a lot of letters and thank you all for your love and support for me and your kind words and stories.

P.S. I forgot to say that I spoke this last Sunday in Church and thought it went well. It was on missionary work and I spoke a lot about love.

New Pictures on the GCCM blog

2010-07-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest postings on the Guatemala City Central Mission Blog or the mission happenings these last few months as well as these new pictures with Sam in them - especially the one where he is at the Sister's Conference, way to go Sam!

At the Sister's Conference -
"Our chauffeurs, Elder Musick and Elder Cesena feeling a little odd and out of place - never!"

"(L to R) El. Alvarez, Hna. Mascareno, Hna. Cruz, El. Douglas, El. Musick, El. Martinez, El. Cesena, El. Jacobs"

He feels ... sick, proud, baggy, and blessed

2010-07-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Well, this week was a little more difficult because I am sick. I got sick about Tuesday and have been taking pills and medicine to try to get over it but with no luck. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow to take some tests and see what it could be. But mom, don't worry, I have received many calls from the members telling me what to take and trying to mother me. The family next door is members and she is our cook and the wash lady. But she has been very worried checking on me every night. I even had the counselor to President Baldwin who lives close by, come looking for me to see if he could help and offered to take me to the hospital. So I am truly in good hands.

My companion went out and worked and we had a pretty good week still ... well, an okay week. I had a meeting for district leaders on Thursday and it was a very good meeting. I was so proud of my district because the other district leaders asked me what we have been doing to have such success. I felt very honored but realize it wasn't me and we still have so much to do. It is really crazy how the time is flying by. I wanted it to go fast because I know I am working hard, but not this fast because I feel like it is just a dream.

When is Dad’s hike? I will try to put some thoughts down for him. I got kind of baggy when you said you had homemade ice cream for the holiday. But Elder Allen who is in my district called me that morning to sing the national anthem. I thought it was pretty funny. I am sorry I am having a hard time thinking of things to tell you because we were in the house a lot this week.

I did think of one thing. This past week there is a companionship that struggles to find new investigators and he started to contact guys in the street - the women are always home but it is hard to get the husbands because of work. So I thought for him to contact in an area that was at the end of the bus route at 5:00 so they could contact the guys when they come home from work and he was able to find some new investigators. I felt so happy for him and that I could be a means to help him. I feel really blessed and hope that this area and district will have great success.

I love you all and hope all is well and mom, get some sleep and dad, are you going on the Mt Whitney hike? If so, you'll be in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Musick.

"... the weeks are flying which is good, but sad."

2010-06-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so reading that story of Daniel [a member of Sam's NHS football team who was baptized last week] made me think that I would like to write a letter for him and send it to you guys, so if you could pass it along, that would be amazing. [As a district leader] I have not given a baptismal interview yet, but I am very nervous for when I have to.

The great thing of this past week is we found 16 new investigators; but in our district of four companionships we found 56! I was truly blown away. But sadly our attendance of investigators went down because it has been raining for the past two days or so. And it was similar to the tropical storm and so everyone was scared. To be honest, I was on divisions on Saturday night and it was raining all night. My companion was in our area, but it is right next to a river that had flooded. I couldn't sleep that night because I was so worried for them and if anything would happen to them.

So the ward is really weak. We had 57 people at church and the bishop is sick and his wife was hit by a car, so they weren't there. But a member spoke on how we should support him and help him - which I thought was so needed. (It was funny because the assistants just came in because they are going on divisions with the zone leaders so they surprised me and it was pretty funny.) But I am pretty excited for how things are going and I hope and pray that they will improve.

We also had interviews with President Baldwin and it was funny because he walked in and said it is funny seeing me here and then said to everyone that I had escaped from the office. I will try and write a letter this next week or so about my comp. because he is truly amazing.

Our investigator, Suzy went to church and is very active and always has really good questions. Elder Knight (my Comp.) went to the lesson with them and shared Alma 32 and how if it is a good fruit that we should give it room to grow and she was very touched by that chapter. But the real work is with her mom. This next week will be really busy because I have a meeting in the office on Thursday and I will go on divisions and do our weekly planning. But the weeks are flying which is good, but sad. I know I am working and so the time flies, but it goes by too fast at times.

That’s fun that you get to have the boys this week. Give them hugs and kisses for me.

But can you do me a favor - write a letter to my comp. and have Jordan or Jared translate it. He has only received one letter in his mission so far. I think he would really enjoy it and you could write a little in English because his English is really good. But I love you guys and pray all is well and hope Katie is enjoying her time at home.

"Keep on keeping on ... "

2010-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well, so this last week took some time - it was kind of a dream.

As far as the work here - it seems to be slower because the ward is not a lot of help; the Bishop is about 28 or so and doesn't seem to be a real motivator, but he is there and that is it. I feel like I am going to have to be pretty forward with those we work with. I will have to assign them things to do and make sure they are assigning others. I have found that this ward is the weak spot in the stake. The district seems to be good, but they all have problems to deal with. Many of their investigators are not married so that will be a process to fix. We had pretty good numbers this last week and I pray and hope the elders continue to work hard.

It is nicer because someone does our washing for us and we have a cook. This is nice but the bad thing is my stomach gets a little sick now because I am eating real Guatemalan food now. [Oops, no more Taco Bell and Wendys, eh?] But I keep learning new things about my companion and he really has an amazing story.

I went on divisions this last week to get to know an elder who had some behavior problems before and wanted to see if he was getting better. I still don't feel like I know the area very well but I will with time. As far as investigators, we had one at church and she, Suzy, is really progressing, always reading and very active in the lessons. One of the other Elders in the ward thought she was a member because she knew all the answers she was asked. The problem is with her mother who doesn't want to change churches because she has been a member for nearly 30 years. It is sad because some time ago her dad cheated on her mom and left and now it is just the two of them and her brother who doesn't really care to listen.

I think I have hit a personal stumbling block. At night when I am finished with all the missionary calls and planning it is about 10:30 and I don't have time to study more (if I wanted to) or to write in my journal - it is really sad. But I will try to manage my time so that I can do some of the things I would really like to do.

I love you guys all so much and hope that all is well. I will keep on keeping on and hope to find success. Thank you for all of your love and words of kindness. And please ask me some more questions so I can write and tell you guys more.

Gotcha!

2010-06-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was just messing with you guys. (See previous post :)

I am finally out and scared out of my mind. Now I am teaching and leading district meetings which makes me feel very odd and I also take calls every night. I feel very awkward and lost. But the great thing is I am very excited to work and at times I don't know what to do, but I will do something and it will be good. I find myself in a ward that is weak, from what I hear the weakest in the stake. The bishop is very, very young and we don't have a full bishopric. The ward mission plan is inactive and we don't have a lot of positive investigators. But some in the district are having great success with five baptismal dates. We are weak in new investigators and we are doing a lot of service to help out with what happened with the volcano and the storm. A lot of the roads are destroyed and there are sand bags everywhere to stop the water from entering the houses.

In my district I have two gringos and five Latinos and they all seem to be pretty good missionaries. I also know that some had problems before but seem to be doing a lot better from what I can see and I am looking forward to going on divisions with them. But what is really amazing is my comp. - he is so humble and wants to be a good missionary. He told me that he was so nervous to be my comp. because he thought I was something great because I was in the office. Which in reality, I find it to be sweet but far from the truth because I have so much to improve on. I found out that my comp's first language was a dialect and that he learned Spanish five years ago. He knows four languages perfectly and is really, really good at English. Every morning he makes my bed for me and is trying all he can do to support me. I find myself praying all the time for help because I find it difficult to be a district leader. Don't ask me why - I knew how to be a secretary and all that it entails but for some odd reason I find it very difficult to be a leader as such in the mission. However, I am excited to learn how to be better and how it be a force for good in this area, ward, and district.

There are four missionaries in this ward and four in the other ward and that is my district. One of the zone leaders is Elder Montoya who is from Utah and knows Elder Jacobs and Ashlee so that is funny.

I am excited to hear things are going well for all at home. I am glad Jared found a better option for school and that Katie is adjusting. I love you guys all so much and ask for your prayers so that our district can have success and that I will know how better to help them progress and be greater than they are now.

Mom, so you know I took out some money to buy a cake because it was someone’s birthday in my district and I will probably take some more out so I can fix my shoes for maybe 10 or 12 dollars, so it won't be that much. Also my watch broke so I am thinking of buying another. Man, it is like I am getting old or something. Well, as far as the money for the watch and shoes I will wait to see what you say before I do that. But I already bought the cake.

Man, I noticed I have some very bad English grammar but it is odd because my Spanish isn't good enough for my English to be that bad. But I love you guys dearly and hope that all is well with you. But please keep me in your prayers. I love you all. And will write next Monday, but if we have interviews it might be on another day.
With Love,
Elder Musick

Aaawwwwww!

2010-06-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there was an emergency this past week and the fact is a missionary got very sick - the one who was going to replace me - so they had to keep me in the office and they're waiting for some of the tests to come back to see if he is going home or not. So I will keep you updated when I have more time.

Transfer out of the Office and Into the Field

2010-06-10T20:18:00.001-07:00

Well, this week has been very crazy. We have had to prepare for changes all before Friday because we have the transfer conference for all the missionaries who are going to the new mission. We have had to arrange transportation which is a full size bus, a small bus, and also a small moving van. But as far as I am concerned I am thinking of my next area and responsibility. So anyways, we went to Presidents’ house on Tuesday to see changes like always. But President always talks about what some of the changes are that they made and he said that they had brought in two missionaries into the office. One to be trained by Elder Ceseña and the other to replace me. He then proceeded to say where I am to go.

I will be serving as district leader in an area called Amatitlan. It was the closest area to the volcano. (Thanks for that little tidbit, Samuel!) It is right by the lake Amatitlan. I will have eight people in my district, including my companion and me. But being in the office I have already made a district leader folder. I have the baptism data since November 2009 and also their personal data. I have their pictures that are on the Presidents wall so I can study how best to help my district.

I am pretty dang excited to be a normal missionary. My companion is Elder Knight and he will be going into his fourth change. He is from Nicaragua and I was in the office when he came into the mission. I am very excited because that stake is a baptizing machine. The zone’s goal for baptisms for this month is 50. I am very excited - I have only heard great things about the zone and the ward I will be in. President actually told me that they will be putting me right in the middle of the baptizing heart land.

I love you all and may write a little bit another day before the week ends because we don’t have a lot of time. The lake under Pacaya volcano (in background right)

The Lake Amatitlan is the fourth largest lake in Guatemala, located about 10 miles the south of the capital Guatemala City at an altitude of 3,900 ft. The fresh water lake covers a surface of 9 sq. miles. The maximum depth of the lake reaches 108 feet, the average depth is 59 feet.

We finally hear from Sam

2010-06-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Family

Okay, so I really don’t know where to be start. Thursday night it was raining pretty hard and we went into a lesson where they had the TV on showing the display of volcano. As we were there we heard the volcano rumbling. Then I sent a text message to the assistants and then a minute later I received a call saying we should get back to the house. So we thought it was still raining because the sand that was falling was similar to the rain in sound. The rain had completely stopped and it was just dark black rock. We had to cover ourselves with our jackets because the sand would kind of hurt a little bit when falling. We got home to see the other missionaries we live with making sand angels. The next day we were told by the area presidency not to leave our house for a while. So when I woke up, we had to clean the black sand off of the van and prepare to go to the office. We then went to the office like normal and the day continued like normal but it just looked like black snow was everywhere. The government has sent out notices that we are to make piles of the debris and they will pick it up.

But it really got silly on Saturday when the storm passed by. We had been out all day getting soaked - even with our jackets on. We went to one appointment and sat down and taught while the wind was howling, and when we went to leave, we left puddles of water under us. We went around to the members’ and investigators’ houses to see if they were okay. We were traveling through the streets of rivers and we were helping cross the roads and I had to jog to keep warm because I was soaked. We found out that some of the members’ roofs had fallen in because they were tin and with heavy sand plus the heavy rains, the roofs gave in. We spoke with the bishop and President Baldwin and they were kind enough to let two families stay at the bunk house. The bunk house is an extra house we have in our colony for storage and we have extra beds because at times missionaries need to come to the capital and stay the night. So the families stayed there and we had to cook for them and take care of them. We then had church services canceled so we went out with a member of the bishopric to inspect the damages on the houses. I feel so bad for these families the beds are soaked; they have like an inch of water in the house and their clothes are pretty much gone. But after checking all the houses the bishop got tin and beams so that we can put new roofs on. The only problem we are facing right now is that the leaders are not really finishing their part. We have everything we need and a lot of missionaries that are willing to work but they haven’t really started to work and the families are back in their soaked and destroyed houses. But as far as working as a normal missionary it is a little hindered because we are trying to help those who lost almost everything in this storm.

Last night instead of executive committee we cleaned the church of all the black sand. It took about 10 of us to clean off all the sidewalks and basketball court/parking lot. But with all of this rain that we received in the storm there are mudslides and so we have had to change zone conferences around because there is only one road that is open to get to the coast and it is the same for the mountains. There are two areas that are completely shut off and they are on Lake Atitlan and the mudslides have closed them off and the only way to cross is by barge but they need permission from the area presidency. But what makes that scary is that they are right by another volcano that was dormant but now is rumbling, so we will see how that will play out. But in reality - every missionary is safe and no one was hurt and things have been running normal for the most part.

But on a different topic I will be leaving the office in like a week and a half (and I’m not going to lie) I am pretty happy about that but scared because I am afraid I won’t know how to be a normal missionary. But I will find out next week where I am going and who I will be with. But I love you all and hope all is well with you guys and that no storms are working their way towards you.
I love you all, Elder Musick.

Check this out!!

2010-06-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Check out this SINK HOLE in Guatemala! It swallowed up a three story apartment building. Also we got a phone call this morning - Sam's debit card isn't working, but the missionaries are all fine according to the office Elder who called. Now if I could only hear from Sam on his adventures!

Latest word -

2010-05-30T21:06:00.001-07:00

The Guatemala City North Mission President's wife, Hermana Torres wrote the following today on facebook, "The 1st hurricane of the season decided to visit us along with the volcano. As a result we are expecting heavy rains, strong winds, power outages, road closures, etc. No meetings today in church. Missionaries staying indoors....con su mochila de emergencia! (with their emergency backpacks) Oh esta....todo bien" (everything is fine.)

I'm sure this is similar instructions for the Guat City Central Mission. We are waiting for news, please keep them all in your prayers. Thanks!

Missionaries ... All is well

2010-05-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Missionary Department: The latest report from Guatemala from the Area Presidency is that EVERY missionary has been accounted for. They are ALL safe, and those serving in Guatemala City - especially those to the south - have been instructed to stay inside their apartments until the area have been cleared as safe by their priesthood leaders.

Just thought I better add this since Guatemala has been hit with an earthquake, volcanic eruptions, and a tropical storm with lots of rain attached to it in the last 48 hours.

Guatemala hit by first 2010 tropical storm - News Update

2010-05-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

A man carries a child under heavy rains from Tropical Storm Agatha in Patulul, Guatemala, on Saturday - notice how high the water is and Sam's last letter telling about how high the water was in the streets after the rains.

GUATEMALA CITY - The first tropical storm of the 2010 season hit the Pacific coastline of Guatemala and Mexico on Saturday, killing 12 people under landslides and rockfall triggered by torrential rains.

Agatha's rains caused a landslide in a precarious hillside settlement of Guatemala City that killed four people and left 11 missing, Guatemalan disaster relief spokesman David de Leon said. Most of the city was without electricity at nightfall, complicating search efforts.

Four children were killed by another mudslide in the town of Santa Catarina Pinula about six miles outside the Guatemalan capital. And in the department of Quetzaltenango, 125 miles west of Guatemala City, a boulder loosened by rains crushed a house, killing two children and two adults, de Leon said.

Agatha formed as a tropical storm early Saturday in the East Pacific and moved over land in the evening along the Guatemala-Mexico border, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The hurricane center said Agatha had weakened into a tropical depression by late Saturday evening with winds of 35 mph, and was expected to weaken even further as it pushed inland. Forecasters warned, however, that heavy rains could continue to fall, bringing 10 to 20 inches.

"The storm will start to weaken and we hope that on Sunday it will be just a tropical depression," said Romero Garcia of Guatemala's Meteorological Institute. "That is not to say that there won't be heavy rains."

The center of the storm was located 25 miles east-northeast of Tapachula on Saturday night, moving north-northeast at 5 mph and packing winds of 40 mph.

More than 850 people were evacuated from their homes because of flooding affecting much of central and southern Guatemala.

Before the rains, Guatemala already was contending with heavy eruptions from its Pacaya volcano that have blanketed the capital in ash and destroyed 800 homes. Officials expressed concerns that Agatha's rains could exacerbate the damages.

The Pacaya volcano, which is just south of the capital, started spewing lava and rocks Thursday afternoon, forcing the closure of Guatemala City's international airport. A TV reporter was killed by a shower of burning rocks.

Airport official Felipe Castaneda told reporters Saturday that the airport would be closed for the next five days while ash is removed. "The work to remove the ash was going forward, but the rain has complicated it," Castaneda said.

Pacaya volcano erupts - News Update

2010-05-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

This is Randy and Cathy in their trip to Guatemala at the rim of Pacaya volcano in 2004.

The Pacaya volcano started erupting lava and rocks on Thursday afternoon, blanketing Guatemala City with ash and forcing the closure of the international airport. President Alvaro Colom declared a "state of calamity."

Three children between the ages of seven and 12 were missing and at least 1,600 people from villages closest to the volcano have been evacuated to shelters.

Two to three inches (Five to 7.5 centimeters) of ash accumulated on streets in some southern parts of the city, and officials imposed limits on trucks and motorcycles to help speed up traffic slowed by the ash. The government urged residents not to leave their homes unless there was an urgent need.

The most active of Guatemala's 32 volcanos, Pacaya has been intermittently erupting since 1966, and tourists frequently visit areas near three lava flows formed in eruptions between 1989 and 1991.

In 1998, the 8,373-foot (2,552-meter) volcano twice spewed plumes of ash, forcing evacuations and shutting down the airport in Guatemala City.

You can see video at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-guatemala-volcano-20100529,0,4455438.story

Here comes the rain ...

2010-05-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

Dear family

So this past week the rainy season has really started in full fury. Last week we were in a lesson and it started raining really, really hard. We left the lesson and found all of the streets flooded and as we started to walk down the road and just on the sidewalks the water was above our ankles, but in the street it was above our knees. The current of the water was very strong as well. We had heard that a little girl had fallen in the street and drowned. Almost everybody was cleaning their houses out of water with buckets very late into the night. Even the next day there was quite an aftermath because there were giant rocks and gravel in the roads as well as in the little streams. But what was really silly is in our little housing community, we have stairs that go down a cliff a little ways. Well, the next day we went to run to the well and we found that the stairs had fallen off the cliff.

This last week we went to Chichicastenango in department Quiche. It was just the office elders and we had a good time. We had a few kids following us around because it wasn’t market day and we were the only white people there, so they focused on us. There was a small five year old who really, really wanted to shine our shoes. He first did mine and started working on another missionary when another boy came up and said he would give a shine for five quetzales. Well, the other smaller boy said he would do it for 2, then the other said fine I’ll do it for 2.
I bought a side bag to last me this next year. I didn’t want to mess up the old one I have because I want to use that after the mission. I needed a new one because my old one had a hole and mixed with the rain it isn’t good.

Well this change has been really different because we don’t have to open a single house which is really nice, but I really don’t like being in the office all the time so it isn’t that much fun - more boring. But we are preparing to have the conference in Sololá where we will be losing a good number of missionaries to the Xela mission. But I hope all is well with you guys and I would love to hear how Katie’s talk went. I love you all.

Elder Musick
Secretario de la Mision
Misión Guatemala Central

2010-05-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

So, I really enjoyed talking to you guys - I thought it was better than Christmas. But I am sorry I don’t write as much or very well. I really enjoyed talking to Brody in Spanish. He is very cute and it is weird to hear him speaking some much. I find it hard to write because I just don’t set time aside to do so. But I will make a bigger push to do so. This past week has been somewhat crazy. I have learned though that a day in the office is never a normal day but rather a new day everyday.

Yesterday we had our interviews and also our staff meeting. I talked to President Baldwin about stress and also how not to analysis myself so much; because, like my father, I tend to find myself stressed out in the office. And if I don’t accomplish what is asked of me, I feel pretty bad and take it pretty hard. But I felt President Baldwin helped me to analysis my work better. He also told me that I will be out this next change so I am pretty excited to be a real missionary again and not have late nights or crazy things to do. I will just have the blessing to teach and preach the gospel - I am pretty excited. And I know that will help out with my stress. I am also looking at what is going on in the mission to see where I could go.

Things have been really crazy - setting everything up for the change in the mission; it will be happening in this change and the next so it will be an interesting couple of weeks. The blessing is that we don’t have to open any houses this next change so that will help out a lot. But when I will leave the office, I will have 11 months left!

In the ward we are planning an activity; it will be like a musical devotional and we are going to cover the first lesson and also are going to have narrators that will share scriptures and then at the very end President Baldwin will talk a little bit about the restoration. But I won’t be here for the activity, which is kind of sad.

I love you guys and hope all is well and hope this is better. Mom, I am not sure what to do - my backpack is breaking and I am not sure if I should get a new one or not. Also could you send some pictures of me and the family at the mud run or football or track. Just some fun ones. I love you guys and hope you enjoyed the chat. I was glad that almost all the family was there.
Love you guys, Elder Musick.

View From the Top of the Hill Looking Out (or Ode to Sam, the Man)

2010-05-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

On the thirteenth of May, two thousand and nine,
We dropped off our Sam, he was feeling quite fine.

That one day, then two, and then a few more
Turned into 6 weeks and then out that door.

Out of the MTC, heading far south
Uttering strange words straight out of his mouth.

To CCM training, gladly he goes
Three weeks quickly pass, still light on his toes.

But out in the field - say, what did you say?
He did not ‘comprendo’ a word that first day!

But slowly he learns, he speaks and he sings,
He loves and he works, does mission’ry things.

And now at the midpoint, center, half-way
He wonders where have gone all of those days.

A’top of the hill he can see where it started
How much he’s grown from the boy he departed

Into a man, someone we have not met
Until at the end; yet we’ll have no regret.

He’ll be someone bold, courageous and good,
Loving and faithful, serving all as he should.

Three sixty five gone, the same left to go,
We pray they continue to so quickly flow.

But our missionary is less eager to leave,
Keeps working hard, no time left to grieve

So keep up the service, don’t slow it down now,
The Lord needs your shoulder still on the plow.

There are many still waiting to hear what you sow
So harvest them now before time to go.

We love you, dear Sam, let’s be perfectly clear
We can’t wait to meet you this time - next year!

- Cathy Musick,
Missionary Mom
May 2010

Pday fun at the Mini Golf Course

2010-04-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Another ... Thanks, Lance

2010-04-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Lance wrote me and told me to shape up and write you. Well, I am sorry first of all it has been a very crazy change. For example, these pictures are with a young man who went home because he lost so much weight and they did a lot of testing on him and could not find a problem so he had to go home. His name is Elder Ruddle.

He was with us for a day and then we took him to the airport. Then a week or so later we had to take a sister home who broke her ankle but we took her home, home and that was super awkward, so I have decided after that that I will not be coming home...ever! We also had to take all those missionaries and others to the hospital and usually had late nights.

But also on the other hand we have had to open four houses this last change in the meanwhile we were picking up all of the extra furniture in the mission and that means traveling to the farthest parts of our mission. But it was kind of difficult coming back from these areas with all the extra furniture in the van and the two assistants so a lot of the times it ended up like this, with me on top of desks and Elder Melville below while the other two were in the front seats.

But I love you all and know I don’t write much because I feel bad to take personal time to write others when there are so many things I could be doing here. I love you all and am sorry and will try to write better.

The pictures he describes is in a word document and I haven't been able to load those on to the Blog, sorry.

A letter ... Thanks, President Baldwin

2010-04-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

Okay ... well, I am sorry it has taken so long to write you guys this week. It has been a very crazy change and it isn’t over yet or even close. We have been collecting all the extra furniture in the mission and I found myself in the farthest parts of our mission. We also had a sister break her ankle and an Elder who had to go to the Hospital while the sister ended up going home. I will say taking someone home and seeing the whole home thing was the unbaggiest thing I have ever seen. I found myself never wanting to come home. And with the Elder in the Hospital we went really late at night and didn’t get back till 11:30 and then woke up early the next day to take the assistants to zone conference and then take the mission van in to be worked on. I also have been searching for houses to move in to. But I have two weeks left to move in five houses and have quite a task in front of me. I do love you all so much and pray that all is well with you guys. Love, Elder Musick

P.S. At Zone Conference President asked if we had written our families this week and most of the secretaries raised their hands timidly.

Loving Conference

2010-04-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was able to watch conference in English the entire time and it was really amazing. I truly feel very humbled to hear such great talks and I feel that I have much to improve and work on. I also enjoyed Elder Martino's talk and thought it was very special. I also had known that connection from before. [He is Sister Dishman's uncle.]

This past Thursday I received a call from our mission nurse and she said that a missionary had cut his hand and needed to get stitches in the morning. So I had to drive to Sololá by lake Atitlan to pick up him and his companion (who happened to be my old companion, Elder Long). I got home at 12 at night and then woke up the next day early to take them to the doctor. Then later that afternoon I went to Antigua for a couple hours of p-day. But it is very interesting the things I get to do. I wouldn't say the most fun at times, but other times they are. I enjoyed the story about the boys and naked dances and also poop for dinner (see below for explanation). But I love you guys all very much and hope and pray all is well for you guys.

Elder Musick
Secretario de la Mision
Misión Guatemala Central
Tel. 5704-9523

At Applebee's!!!

I told Sam about his nephews' visit and the things they did that I thought Sam would enjoy hearing about... Brody (age 2) was in decompression mode today. Erik (age 6) and Brock (age 3) left Saturday, but tonight Brody ran through the house before his bath naked as a Jay bird and gave us a modified Booty shake a la Brock and then ran back to the tub. He was watching the big boys very carefully - as you can see. Another funny story - I served a small conference-style breakfast for everyone Saturday morning before conference and before Kelsey left. I served some sausages and when we put one on Brody's plate, he looked at it for the longest time and then announced "I no eat Chancey's poop!" So I gave it to Erik and he ate it and loved it. But we all roared with that. He is obsessed with cleaning up after Chancey (the dog) in the backyard. Actually he makes me everytime we go out there. Goofy kid! It was funny, though.

Samena Santa

2010-03-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

So things have been very crazy for me here. I am helping a new missionary in the office and so when the president wants something done, he will look to me to do it. But I find myself losing my mind - a lot. I really lost it because we have a really old [computer] program we use and well, something went wrong and it took me two weeks to figure it out. Not very fun. I also had my foot run over by a car, but nothing happened to it. I think with everything that is going on that the Lord wants me to learn patience. And with all that is going on with me, that is a trick.

Also this week is Samena Santa [Holy Week] and everything is about to close down and everyone leaves the capital to go to the coast or Antigue. It is just a giant week of apostasy.

All of us are looking forward to seeing conference this coming weekend. I want to thank you for sending me that package and e-mails and letters for my birthday. I hope I can find some time to write you guys a really good e-mail like the time before. But I love you all and hope all is well with you all.

To understand more about the Guatemlan traditions of Samena Santa click HERE

2010-03-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

Okay so everything in the office is very business like as you can see by the pictures. But in all honesty we have to have fun because if not we really go crazy so we find things that help us to keep our sanity which sometimes is odd because to do that we have to lose our sanity.But we are always invited to the fun activities in the mission like zona mas exitosa were we had two zones together and of course the office staff because we always bring the fun. I think it is because we are like trapped rats and when we are set loose we go crazy.
If you’re looking for me I am in the very back with my hands up. But it isn’t always fun and games because we always have to feed the missionaries that are going home or coming in. Now Sister Baldwin always has us wear aprons so please don’t judge me. But as I was wearing this number President thought to make a good joke as he told me “Wow! that looks girlish, but if the shoe fits.” And later to the missionaries he says “Que Linda” Well, I think that is just a little of what we have been up to lately. But I will try and always keep you guys updated a little bit always. I pray all is well and that you guys are still surviving without me, especially Bethany. But love you all.
Elder Musick.

Crazy Monday and Crazy Tuesday

2010-03-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, so today is a very odd day because we were going to have changes but because there is protesting and riots, we had to cancel it late last night and are going to have them tomorrow at 2. No one is really in the capital right now. They are striking because the government is trying to [change] the public transportation system and all the bus drivers aren't going for it so they are striking and rioting a little bit. [See the NEWS account below] But don't worry it really isn't that bad. So tomorrow I will be receiving a new companion, but for today we will be serving the missionaries that are leaving to go home. Then after that we will go and pick up the “greengos” from the airport and then the next day is another mess. We will have to get up a little before five to get to the CCM to pick up the new missionaries; afterwards we have to go to the change conference. And after that I will have to take a few of the new sisters to their areas. We always call this crazy Monday and crazy Tuesday because something always goes wrong - like it is right now.

For my birthday I ran errands with President and Sister Baldwin. We went shopping --that was kind of weird. But Sister Baldwin bought me a lemon meringue pie…well; she bought two, one to share and one just for me. She really is an amazing lady, though. Later that day we went to Applebee’s to eat, which was also very cool. It was just the office missionaries and the food was amazing.

Thank you all who sent me letters and e-mails. I know I am terrible at writing letters but if you could ask me some questions or give me a little help so I know what to write about. Love you all very much and hope all is well … and that is very exciting for Jared to get that job back.

NEWS: Guatemala City clogged with bus driver protests
Guatemalan police say dozens of bus drivers clashed with authorities and used their vehicles to block access to the capital to demand better security.

Police spokesman Donald Gonzalez says that one bus driver was wounded by gunfire and 16 were arrested during Monday's conflict.

The Guatemalan government is launching a new public transportation system with 3,500 buses in an effort to provide safer and more reliable transit in Guatemala City.

The drivers are demanding that those protections be extended to their network of 8,000 private buses.

Bus transportation is risky in Guatemala: Last year, gunmen killed more than 170 drivers to scare others into paying extortion fees.

2010-03-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture and look in the top right hand corner for Elder Musick

As posted on the Guatemala City Central Mission Blog - "We were blessed to host Elder Neal A. Anderson and Sister Anderson, Elder Don R. Clark and Sister Clark and temple President Mask and Sister Mask for zone conferences with the Chimaltenango and Solola zones during Elder Anderson's tour of Guatemala."

Look at that Elder dance ....

2010-03-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Check out the Guatemala City Central blog and see Elder Musick teaching those elders how to dance. Click HERE
Scroll down to the 2010 February Zone Leaders Council 2 to see him in action. Warning: It may make you miss him more that you already do.

Happy Birthday, Sister Baldwin ...

2010-03-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

Sister Baldwin was treated royally on her birthday by our office elders Cesena, Long, Melville, Musick, Sanchez and Jacobs. Roses, favorite Yorks Peppermint Patties and a lovely photo book of the Savior, "Another Testament" were the gifts given.

To their Moms and Dads...thank you for letting us share your thoughtful sons for these two short years!

Sister Baldwin, thank you for posting these events so that we know Elder Musick is still alive and kicking!

2010-03-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

Once again we get a newsy letter from Elder Musick, full of details of the past week …. at least we know he is alive and well.

So this week has been really crazy and we haven't been able to work in our area and it is now Friday. But luckily we can on Saturday and Sunday. We had to take a missionary to the hospital, look for houses and move into houses. So time is something I haven't had a lot of. And I really can't promise that next week will be better or the week after but I hope that I will at least have a little time to write sometime.

Love you all and hope all is well.

A newsy letter - for a change

2010-03-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know that I have not been very good about sending letters or e-mails. So I am going to try to make up for my weak attempts before. But I have some photos that I will add to help support my explanations.

Okay so a week after I left the coast the two kids (Jonathan and Katie) in the first picture were baptized and then the young man to the right (Marvin) of me was baptized two weeks after I had left. But what was cool is because I am in the office now, I put the baptismal records in the computer to send to Salt Lake I got to put all of them in and some of my other baptisms as well. Another blessing is because we travel to the coast a lot for office related things, I often see many of my friends and converts that are at the coast with me.

The Family Garcia went through a little bit of a hard time after I left. Miriam (the Mother) finally found work but it was on Sunday, but she was blessed to find work elsewhere and is able to go to church. I heard that Candi, the one holding her baby, has a baptismal date and was able to work things out with her husband.

This is the family Jimenez that I went to tell that I had changes and they weren’t there. But after hearing that I was leaving that morning they came to our house to say good-bye on Sunday night. That truly broke my heart. And just so you know right behind me is our house that was really, really dirty and had tons of black mold.

Then I came into the office and had to live the hard life. Driving and eat fast food at Wendy’s. (As you can see by the cup) But really it isn’t always the most fun. I mean there are lots of perks, but then I don’t get to really work in the area as a real missionary. But we do get to go to cool places and meet a lot of cool people.

So I hope this letter was a little better than the rest have been and I hope that I can work on write more often and more like this.

[The pictures that go along with this post were inserted into a word document and I am not able to bring them into the blog - sorry! All I can say is that Sam looks like he is so tall - even a head+ taller than most. I am afraid he will feel short when he comes back home.]

2010-03-03T16:00:00.001-08:00

Well, this last week has been calm. We have been looking for houses for all the new missonaries and so today we went out with Sister Baldwin to find a house. Yesterday we went out to eat at a pretty nice place for our p-hours and as we were finishing President and Sister Baldwin came in. It was odd because President Baldwin was in a very relaxed mood.

About the whole teaching thing - no, I don't get to teach a ton. Maybe a good week could be 7 lessons total. So it can be a little difficult. But being in the office is a great learning experince. I don't really know what to tell you though so if you could ask me some questions that would help out a lot.

But I do love you all and hope all is well. And sorry I just don't know what to write because there never anything really cool happening in the office. But I love you and take care.

- Elder Musick

Posted on the GCCM Blog

2010-03-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

2010 February Preparing for changes...cambios!

The change process happens a week before the change actually occurs. President and the assistants work for two days. At the end of the second day, the secretaries view the changes. The office elders begin to process the change immediately. It takes a week to prepare everything in the computer, the missionary boards, letters written to stake and district leaders and a logistics plan for moving the missionaries

Before viewing the changes...

After...

Elders teasing our new missionary, Elder Pickett

Focusing on the spiritual... Elders Patterson, Musick, Montoya and Sisters Earl, Buterbaugh

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-02-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we have been really busy. We moved a new senior missionary couple up to Sololá yesterday and that was a trip! We left the office at 9:30 in the morning and got back to our house at 8:30 at night. It was a very long trip, but a very cool couple and place.

I am pretty much preparing to become the senior secretary, because my companion Elder Long is pretty much out after this change. That will be pretty tricky because we have to move into a lot of new houses for all the new missionaries coming in. But today we are going to take some P-hours and go to the zoo. Things are always busy here. Next week we are going with Sister Baldwin to look for four new houses and then the week after we are moving into them. It is really odd how fast the time is in the office.

And about the mission blog: I have no idea because that is Sister Baldwin’s, we have nothing to do with that. But I hope all is well with you all and if you could send me an update about Katie that would be good.

Thanks, love you all.

Meeting an Apostle - Way cool!

2010-02-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so last Sunday Elder Neil L. Andersen (of the Quorum of Twelve) spoke to our stake as well as his wife and a member of the area presidency and his wife. It was a very cool meeting. Then yesterday we went to Sololá, which is up in the mountains, to have a zone conference with two zones and the office got lucky so we got to go. One of the things that is cool about Elder Anderson is that he knows French, Portuguese, Italian, and somewhat of Spanish. He knows Spanish grammar really well, but he has a hard time with the pronunciation. But he and his wife are really amazing in that they learned and worked so hard to speak in Spanish for everyone. I was able to shake his hand twice and he seems like a very loving and funny man.

But things are really interesting here. We are preparing to receive a lot of missionaries for this new mission that will take some of our mission and the office knows what parts, but we are not allowed to say anything but there are maps on the church news site. Things are always interesting here in the office. I did receive the Valentines package and thank you for the sweets. I hope you guys had a good time at the wedding and also in Hawaii.

Love you all, Elder Musick

Mission Changes

2010-02-15T21:19:00.000-08:00

This news release might explain why Elder Musick has been so busy in the office preparing for so many new missionaries.

http://webmail.bak.rr.com/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.ldschurchnews.com%252Farticles%252F58775%252FNew-missions-10-announced-in-seven-areas.html

New missions 10 announced in seven areas
Central America Area:
Create the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission from a division of the Guatemala Quetzaltenango and Guatemala Guatemala City Central missions. (Sorry this didn't come out clearer - I have no idea why it looks this way.)