Overdue update on Elder McLain!!!

Hey Everyone!

This last week was really good, busy, stressful and just crazy. So Tuesday we went to the ZL meeting in Xela so that was a nice 2 and a half hour bus ride. As always I loved the bus. I only got a little bit bus sick this time so it wasn't too bad. But we got there and had the meeting, everything went well and we learned a lot. I really enjoy this calling because I get to learn a lot from President Smith and put everything into practice here in our zone. I enjoy serving the other missionaries here in Zaculeu. So my companion and I are working on balancing our focus between our area and the zone. Its been interesting this week with some of the missionaries here in our zone and some things happening in their personal lives. So we have been doing what we can to talk to them and help them out. But the good thing is that they all realize that the best place that they could be right now in the world is here in the mission. On Thursday we had the chance to do Splits with some elders here close by our area. I stayed in our area with Elder Harrison and it was a super tough day! We walked around almost the whole entire day because every single one of our plans fell through. But at 8 we had a lesson with one of our investigators and all we did was read through 3rd Nephi 11 in the Book of Mormon, when Christ comes to the Americas, and the spirit was so strong! Afterwards we asked her if she had prayed after reading what we left her the last time, and she told us all about her experience and how she felt something unexplainable in her chest after her prayer. She received her answer that the Book Of Mormon is true. Now we just need to help her strengthen her testimony and prepare for her baptismal date on the 8th. It was a beautiful experience. 

I have really been noticing how much the lord plays a part in missionary work. Really we as people don't do anything. We are just the instrument for the lord to speak through. This gospel is true and I love seeing people change their lives when they know the truth. My companion is awesome and we are working hard. I love this work. I hope you all can take the time this week to read in the Book of Mormon in 3rd Nephi 11. Its a testimony to me of how much our Savior Jesus Christ loves us individually. 

Well I love and miss you all! Have a good week and CTR.

Elder McLain

"Hello all you Gringos!"

MAY 4th LETTER

Hey Everyone!  

Sorry I didn't write last week. But here you go for this week. 

This last week was a tough one. It started out with a good P day and then Tuesday I was teaching the district meeting when the secretary called me and told me that my comps visa was ready in Guatemala City....So we had to go to Xela as fast as we could so that he could catch a bus to Guate with some other elders who were going for their visas. We got there with 5 minutes to spare after the 2 and a half hour bus ride. (You know how much I love the bus). From there I spent the day with the secretaries in the office and then stayed the night in their house, which is way nicer than any house that I've seen in Guatemala. Its totally unfair haha. It was a good night. Then Wednesday I went on divisions with some Elders there in Xela until my comp got back around 3. When he got back we went to McDonald's (always a treat) then got back on the bus to go to Chichi again. So that was a super fun 2 days. 

On Thursday I started to feel a little sick but we still went out and worked. We got soaking wet which I don’t think helped but we kept going until a dog bit my companion’s leg.... So we went to the house haha. Not much got done on Thursday. Nobody seemed to want to listen haha. From then I got super sick on Friday and couldn't leave the house.... I was in the bed and or the bathroom the whole entire day. It was terrible. But Saturday we got back to work and everything was normal. Besides that Church was pretty good. Testimony meeting is always nice here. Some of the members really have such strong testimonies because the church is really just about all they have, It’s awesome hearing them talk. 

 Well, keep being awesome. Smile and ya know do good stuff. 

  Elder McLain

MAY 18th LETTER

Hello All of you Gringos,

This last week was really good here in Chichicastenango. We had put goals that we really wanted to complete last week and we did all that we could to be able to complete them. Really I have seen how much goals can motivate us in our lives. If we don’t have goals, we are running without a finish line and we will just keep running...and running. 

Anyways, we talked with just about everyone we saw this week and were able to meet a lot of new, positive people to teach. We also had a ton of support from the members in our lessons and that really helps the investigators to feel the spirit when they hear their testimonies. 

On Thursday we went to Xela, three weeks in a row. That was exciting. My comp has 6 weeks in the mission so we went for the 6 week training meeting and really I learned a ton. I seem to always learn a lot when President Smith teaches us. Also, I got to see Elder Bryan so that was a blast. Oh guess what, I slept for the first time on the bus in my whole entire mission and I didn’t get bus sick. However the bus ride still sucked. 

In church yesterday we had two investigators, our investigators Mayra and Caren. Caren should be getting baptized next Saturday and with Mayra we have the date planned for the 13th of May, so we will be working with that for the next while. Also, yesterday we met a new family whose dad is actually a member, but none of the kids nor the wife are. The Dad really wants to change things around and make sure that his kids grow up in the church. So really the area is progressing and we are excited to work with all of our new investigators and families that we are teaching.

The other day I was reading in the Liahona a talk by Elder Boyd. K Packer that I absolutely loved. It really made me stop and think a lot. I encourage you guys to read it. It’s from April of 2012 I believe and its titled, And a little Child shall Lead them. Also I read a talk by President Eyring and there was a part that I loved,

If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. 

There’s also  a Mormon message called, Mountains to Climb that is based on this talk. Look it up. It’s fantastic! Well everybody, I love you and hope all is well. Thanks for the support! CTR

Elder McLain

Decorations for branch Mother's Day Party

He sure loves the Guatemalan kids!

"If missionaries knock on your door, answer it and let them in."

Hey Everyone! 

So this last week flew by as does every other week here in the mission! Time is going by so fast I cant believe it. Honestly I don't remember much of what happened this last week.... We spent a lot of time preparing an activity for Friday in the church. We watched the movie 17 Miracles outside with a projector and all. We had planned on about 65 people coming so we made a boat load of tacos, but then only like 30 came. I was a little upset because we had invited a ton of people and nobody came, but at the same time I ate a ton of tacos, so I wasn't too upset. Haha. 

But as for the mission work right now, it's going good. We are always meeting new people and right now just waiting to meet those who are really prepared to accept the restored gospel! I'm learning a lot of Patience and Faith as a missionary, which is just what I need. I think those are two things that I really lacked before the mission. 

Aside from all of that fun information, my comp is good as well. He's really kinda crazy but he's a good guy and a great missionary. Sometimes I feel like he's training me instead of me training him haha. 

Well everyone, have a fantastic week and remember to choose the right! Also if missionaries knock on your door, answer it and let them in. 

Love, 

Elder McLain

Loving Guatemala!

Horsin' around!

 

 

Cute little Guatemalan kids!

Crazy bus ride!

APRIL 6th LETTER

Well Hello family and friends,
        So this last week was just a little bit crazy! Tuesday we had to go to Xela for changes in the morning. So we got up at like 5, got on the bus which came late at 6 45 and got to Xela at about 9:15. From there I dropped my companion off, talked with some of my old comps and zone leaders, then I got to go and hang out in Xela for half the day with Elder Dalton from Bountiful Utah who will be finishing his mission next month. We had to wait for the newbies to come so we decided to go to the Zoo. It was super cool... I mean there were a total of like 10 animals, but still who doesn't love the Zoo. I’ll send some sweet pictures. but, at like 4 I met my new companion, Elder Tejada from the Dominican Republic,  and we got all of his stuff and headed back to Chichicastenango in a bus.

      Let me just tell you ths bus ride was the worst bus ride of my entire life. First off all, of the buses here just suck... They drive crazy fast and they fit like 10 people to the row. so imagine a school bus filled to the brim with crazy Guatemalan people and one single 6 foot 3 white guy who doesn't fit. We got going and the bus broke down .... So we waited for about 30 minutes for them to jerry rig it and got going again. But, it broke down....again! So they jerry rigged it a little bit better and we were back on the open, windy road trying to make up for lost time when the little Guatemalan kid next to me threw up. But that didn't stop us, we kept chugging along with throw up on the ground and all. Eventually we made it to Chichi and to our house where we left my comps stuff and got to work. WORST CHANGE DAY EVER. Haha.

     But, besides that the week was good. We got to go and watch conference and actually had a family that we are teaching come on Sunday and stay for both the sessions. That was exciting. My favorite talk was by Elder Renlund in the Saturday afternoon session. I really loved it. My favorite thing was: “God cares about who we are and what we are becoming, not who we once were. He cares that we keep trying. Remember, no failure ever need be final”.

      Also, I really liked what Elder D Todd Christofferson said, “No one is predestined to receive less than what our Heavenly Father has to offer them”

      But, besides conference and changes..Nothing too exciting happened. We are working hard and are looking forward to having a baptism this coming Friday. It should be a great day.

      I love you guys and I hope that you have enjoyed the email and made the decision to rent a car if you ever come to Guatemala, public transportation is a joke!

Love,
Elder McLain

APRIL 13th LETTER

Heyyyy what’s up everybody! How’s the USA treating all of you guys? When you live here, everyone talks about the states like it’s heaven to live there. so be grateful everybody you are living in Heaven. This last week was really good! Rigoberto got baptized on Friday! So that was awesome. We also had the chance to have interviews with President Smith last week. He’s such a cool guy. I always seem to learn something new every time I talk to him.

As for the area here in Chihci everything is chilero. We are going to be having a baptism next Friday! It’s awesome. Her name is Caren and we have been teaching her since I got here. She came to church on Sunday and only need to come one more time to be ready to be baptized! She put the date and everything so we just have to do our job and help her prepare to make a sacred covenant with God. I'm excited to see her in all white! It’s gonna be a great day.

In church yesterday it was testimony meeting and I realized how important it is to have a testimony of this gospel. Really the church is true. Its as simple as that. I think we all know it, sometimes we just don’t live it. I encourage you all to be Mormon during the week, not just when you go to church. And when you mess up, fix it. Christ’s Atoning sacrifice has no limits. 

Well I love you guys and I love hearing from you. I'm sorry if I don’t always respond. Time goes by super fast and before I know it it’s time to go....

Love Elder McLain

Baptisms & Changes

Well Hello Everyone! 

     This last week was super crazy here in Chichicastenango, but it was an awesome week. We were really busy trying to get the baptism on Saturday ready. The week flew by really fast! Saturday came and we had the baptism of Sherryl and Ingrid. It was an awesome service and I really felt the spirit. We ended up having about 50 people come, which is more than came to church on Sunday haha. But the whole entire family of Sherry and Ingrid came, so next we will be working with them and teaching them with the help of some members. Besides the baptism I don’t really remember what happened in the week.... Sorry. On Thursday though I did get the call that I will be training again so that should be exciting. My comp is leaving tomorrow and I will be getting a new missionary fresh from the MTC. Also, I’m super excited for conference this coming weekend. We have some investigators that are going to come with us and more than anything I’m just super excited to listen and learn,. It’s going to be awesome! I encourage all of you to watch conference and take notes. We can all learn something new. 

Love you! CTR and stuff.

Elder McLain

Also Austin is too humble to write it in his group letter but he will be training a new missionary starting tomorrow and he was called to be the new District leader in Quiche. He says he has a lot on his plate but he is excited for the opportunities J

Sherryl and Ingrid's baptism

We can become BETTER or BITTER.

Hey Everyone!

This last week was really good. We taught a lot of lessons even though we had 2 days without working. Unfortunately, we had to change the baptism of Caren which was going to be Friday. However it will be in April now. If you guys could pray for her she really needs it right now. But besides that the week was great.

We had a Zone conference with President in Huehuetenango. So last Thursday we woke up at 4 in the morning to catch a bus for 2 and a half hours. That was exciting. We got there and I learned a ton! It was awesome. We focused a lot on the Restoration and how much it means. It is a message that nobody else can offer. The nice thing about our church is first off that it is the only true church on the earth today, and secondly that it offers every other good thing that other churches can give plus more! Its great hah. Sorry I’m probably sounding like a nerdy missionary but hey maybe that’s what I’ve come to be... 

So after the zone conference I had the chance to ride back in the bus with Elder and Hermana Worthens who just came here as Senior missionaries from Page, Arizona. We got to talk a lot about just Utah and him growing up in Utah. It was a good time. Then they took us to Dominoes so... Yeah totally worth it. Then Friday came and I couldnt get out of bed without throwing up. I was a wee bit sick but I recovered and Saturday we were right back at it.

Sunday was good... We had a lesson with Ingrid and Sherry who are going to get baptized this Saturday and they are super positive and their testimonies are really strong. They have overocme a lot of challenges to get to this point, but now they really are ready to take this step in their lives. Maybe you guys could pray for them so that they can just be alright this week before their baptisim and that Satan won’t work too hard on them. 

Well, I saw a video that said something that I really like. We can either become bitter, or become better. It really is true. We can take advantage of the Atonement and change our lives or we can become bitter and not do anything about it. We all make mistakes and there’s never a reason that we can’t become better. Remember through Christ all is possible. Also, I encourage you guys to all go and watch the video that will be on mormon.org this Saturday It’s called  Because He Lives I think. Thats my translation from spanish. 

Well have a fabulous week and choose the right everybody! Love and miss you all.

Elder McLain

Even missionaries take selfies. 

This is the newborn baby of one of Elder McLain's investigators who passed away. He still visits the rest of the family frequently. 

Chichi is pretty chichilero!

GROUP LETTER FROM MARCH 10th

Hey Everybody!

So this week in chichi has kind of sucked. I didn't get to write Monday because we were in the hospital. My companion has kidney stones...... So we have basically been cooped up in the house which as a missionary is not very fun at all. But we finally got to leave today to write our families and go to a few visits. However, my comp hasn't passed his kidney stone yet. Which means that the worst is yet to come.... Haha. However, work wise everything is going great in the area. We are going to have a baptism this Sunday of Susana who is the daughter of a less active family. She decided to get baptized so we have been working with them and Sunday will be the service. Our investigator Caren really wants to be baptized but she hasn't been able to come to church even when her boss said that she could. So after another Sunday of him not letting her leave, she quit her job. Haha she quit just to come to church so that she can be baptized and raise her kid in the church! SO that was awesome for us to hear. I'm super excited for her. She is awesome and verry very smart. Her baptism is going to the 21st of March. Also we Have another inestigator, Ingrid who has decided to get baptized on the 28th of March! Also her sister is working towards that day so we will see where things go with that. The work is really good here in chichicastenango.... We just need to leave the house more to find others who are prepared to listen to the message of the restored gospel. Well, that's all for this week.

Haz tu lo justo.

Elder McLain

THIS WEEKS GROUP LETTER

Hello Everybody!

So life in Chichi is pretty chichilero. :) I took quite a while to come up with that line so I hope you guys enjoy it. And for those who dont know chilero is just like cool. So.... Life in the mission is pretty great right now! We are working super hard and we are going to be having 4 baptisms in these next two weeks if everything goes as planned. This week a single mom named Caren is going to get baptized, she's really awesome! She has a testimony of the church and of the BOM and is super smart! Shes great and is super excited to raise her child (Ian) in the church. Shes going to be a great member. We totally taught a lesson to a Pastor the other day. We knocked on his door and we went in.... Then we realized that his house was also a church. Haha. But we taught him and he committed to read the Book of Mormon. Imagine that, when he gets his testimony we can baptize his whole congregation! Haha. We will see how things go with that. But, things are going good, I'm sure learning a lot and everyday I'm seeing more and more of the Lord's hand in this work. It's incredible. 

Well, I hope you are all having a wonderful time back home. I love you and I love hearing from you guys and seeing pictures!

Love, 

Elder McLain

First week in Chichicastenango!

Hey Everybody! 

So I had changes and had to leave Toto.... It was pretty hard leaving all of the people whom I had grown so close to. Almost like I was leaving home again. But it’s a part of life and especially a part of the mission. So Tuesday morning I met my new companion Elder Rojas and we left for Chichicastenango which is my new area. The area is great. It’s the biggest area in all of the mission. It’s insane and the church is really small here. But that’s why we are here as missionaries, to change that. The work here is booming and we are going to be having a lot of success soon. I got really sick yesterday so we couldn’t go to church, but regardless we had 7 investigators come to our branch.Thats a record for me considering I wasn’t even there! Ha Ha  The few members here are really nice and friendly. There’s not much to say this week just that I love you all.

Have a good week and Haz lo justo.

Elder McLain