Feliz Dia de Independencia!!!

Only in Guatemala can you run a red light with the mission president's wife in the back seat of the car. Don't picture an intersection in the United States... those don't exist here. In fact I think it is the only light in Retalhuleu and you can hardly even see it. Hermana Ruiz thinks I'm a great driver so it's okay. I honestly don't think the people know what a red, yellow or green light means... Here, all colors mean put your petal to the metal and swerve if there is an obstacle in your way.

Some news:

1. I finally had my interview with President. This time it was longer than 2 minutes. He always talks about how Mom likes all of the videos he posts on facebook and he always asks about "Elder Minnick". I have an awesome mission president!   During the interview he asked how I felt with the year I have had on my mission. I want you to know that I have given my very best effort with my time. I feel confident that the Lord is pleased with my work. In my last five months I want to give even more. President also asked me how I wanted to finish my mission. He asked, "La oficina o el campo?" El Campo came out of my mouth a little bit too fast and President laughed. I have loved my time in the office working as the nurse, however there truly is nothing better than working in the field preaching the gospel to my guatemalan hermanos. There are a lot of missionaries who would love to be in my position so I am not worried about that. In August I will be leaving the office.

2. President asked me to teach Hermana Garcia how to drive. That has been....interesting!   I always have my seat belt tightly secured.

Our investigators:

Paulino: Accepted his date to be baptized for the 26th of July! Pray for Paulino!! 

Maria Jose: Last night we watched The Restoration with her. She has always had doubts about Joseph Smith. After watching the video she was able to understand clearly what happened. The spirit was tangible! We committed her to read the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for the power of The Book of Mormon, it is key to conversion!

Gracie y Vilma: One day we were searching for people to teach and we saw a woman attempting to make a gate out of barbed wire and rusty metal. After a little bit of conversation we started to help her build her sketchy rusty barbed wire gate. I have scratches to prove it. It was actually really fun. The next day we went back and taught them a lesson. They are really positive and I hope that we can help them progress!

The Fourth of July:

It's probably my favorite holiday. To my companions dismay I sang (gut belted) the national anthem about 6 times. It was our P-day, we went mini golfing in this incredible resort called Irta. I felt like I was in America. I truly am so grateful for my country! 

I spent my 4th of July mini golfing... I kicked all of the Elder's butts!
I found my new talent.

I know that this is the true church. Jesus Christ is the head. I know that The Book of Mormon is true and that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet. God lives, we are his children. I know that if we trust in his plan and repent daily we will be truly happy in this life and in the eternities!

Con Amor,

Hermana Minnick

This is Presidents granddaughter, Leah!  Isn't she beautfiul!

Note from Tami:  Love this video!!  A day in the life of our Guatemalan Missionaries!!  There is a quick glimpse of Hermana Whitney Minnick with her comp Barbara Garcia!

More advice for Westyyyy!

Buenas tardes familia! 

So, I am sorry that my p-day changes. Its a pain, I know. I don't know what to tell ya... I never know what is going to happen with my schedule. I am still in the office. There are still pros and cons to that. I really miss working in the field and my companion can tell. The other day she told me, "Hermana Minnick, in all of the time I have been the mission nurse (10 months) I have never worked so much in the field until you came along!" I think that is a good thing. We are really trying to manage our time wisely! My companion doesn't have much experience as a missionary so it has been a good experience to help her. She helps me learn about nursing stuff, and I help her work as a missionary. We make a good team. I have also been helping her with her English. The office is filled with gringos and so she is picking it up quickly! I am going to make the most out of my time here. I just want to make sure I finish my mission giving everything I have got! We will see what happens. I am so happy and I am willing to go where the Lord needs me!

Right now Paulino is progressing very well. Today we will teach him the Ley de Castidad! Keep the commandments people! Life is always easier that way.

This week was really busy because the new missionaries came in. We had to do health interviews with all of them and give a presentation. Their eyes are always big during the dog bite and parasite slides. haha. Welcome to Guatemala. Also two families from the United States came to pick up their missionaries. It was so weird! I went to go and kiss one of the Moms on the cheek and then I realized that is not normal in the US. Oops. They were all so TALL. It's nice to know that I am not a giant in real life. 

Holy cow!!!! I cannot believe that Westy leaves in 11 DAYS!!!! Live it up Weston!! Take a ton of pictures!! West- start eating spicy, chili... you should start getting used to it. Here are my last words of advice to you:

1. Don't be a wimp. Missions are hard. Asi es. You are going to be going to a country with a culture completely different than yours, new language, new food, new life style, new schedule, you will have a person attached to the side of your hip for the next two years!! Of course, you will have an adjusting period, and maybe you will hate what is happening for a minute or 5 (I'm just being real). This is what you gotta do: One, pray. Two, laugh your head off at your situation. Three, make your companion your BEST FRIEND. Four, don't waste your time wishing for things that you can't have. Five, this is the MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I CAN GIVE: Forget about yourself!!! When you forget about yourself, there are NO PROBLEMS. Lose your pride and love the people. I have seen in my mission that when I am sad, it is because I am thinking about myself. Don't do it! it is a waste of the Lord's time! 

2. Be 100% honest in your journal. Don't sugarcoat it. All of the missionaries say, "Well what will happen when my kids read it?" They will be able to see the sacrifice you made. Maybe, you will be able to help them understand the atonement. A mission is not supposed to be all flowers and happy smiles. In order to be a disciple of Christ, sometimes we must suffer even as he did. Also, it is super funny to re-read. Be honest! Write in your journal as much as you can! 

3. Write mom good letters. 

4. Be a BOLD missionary. Not the in your face type, but a quiet bold. lead by example. Never be afraid to open your mouth! ABRIR LA BOCA! What do ya got to lose? It doesn't matter if you can't speak Spanish, the more you talk the faster it comes.

5. In every moment remember who you are: A representative of Jesus Christ and a son of God. Always live worthy of your calling. We have the authority but we must work to have the power. 

I love you Weston! I am proud of you! You should be so pumped to get down to Mexico! In these last days, be with the family. Good luck tomorrow with your farewell talk! Pound the pulpit! I am glad that you are going on the mission because now I will actually get a letter from you once in a while. :) 

READ YOUR SCRIPTURES AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS! 

Con amor,

Hermana Minnick

Shout outs:

Well, the only person who writes me is Grandma Linda!! I love you grandma! I am sending you a letter today!

P.S. I know that its been over a year but don't forget about me. You're all great. 

I was on the good end of the chain!

Back on schedule....

Hi family,

We are back on schedule. Finally. I should have my p-days on Fridays from now on... unless I have changes, which is possible, because we have some sister missionaries who can't walk in the mission and need some rest, so I would take their spot back out in the campo...we will see what happens.

All of my wildest dreams came true today in Guatemala. I never thought in a million years I would eat sushi in Guatemala, but I did. It definitely wasn't the best I've had, BUT.. It was SUSHI!! President asked me if he could try some. Hermana Ruiz tried it and did a "this is disgusting gagging face" but their daughter liked it. I told them they needed to come to the United States and try "real" sushi. 

This week was good. I don't know why, but I am 100% more tired being in "the office" than I ever was in the field. We are always running around doing something. On Tuesday I drove to San Marcos (the mountains) and back in one day to help with some of the emergency changes for the sisters. I am so grateful for all of the canyon driving I did in Utah. So many curves... 

As for the field side of things, we have two progressing investigators!! (That is a miracle for how much time we work in our area) Paulino and Maria Jose. They are great. I know that they will be baptized. 

Write me good emails. Or letters. And send me pictures of your beautiful Lake Powell trip.

Love,

Hermana Minnick

P.S.
A guy came to our house this week and was searching for a Gringa to take him to the US.  He told us he helped kill Saddam Hussein.  HE WOULD NOT LEAVE!  We ended up sleeping in a hotel for two nights and the AP's have asked us to find a new place to live.

TAMI NOTE: Whit only told me about moving AFTER I asked her if they had their new appliances hooked up.  She said "No..because we are moving...".   I do know from reading many blogs of the Sisters and Elders in the mission that there seems to be constant movement and change of housing in order to keep the missionaries safe.  Lots of break-ins and stalker stories. Whit always says she will tell me more when she is home. CAN'T WAIT :/  

We've been through it all together!
(MTC COMPS!  Hermanas Parker, Minnick, Ostler --
missing Bontempo in Houston, TX)

It took me three hours to hand wash a month's worth of clothes...
TAMI NOTE:  yes... I send too many pkgs. and yes, they all have clothes. Downeast and Sister Missionary Mall have some cute stuff!!  :) 

So, I whipped this beautfiul thing out today.
I fogot about it in my suitcase for a year.
Trish, I need help-- I forgot how to use it!