Arrival in Guatemala

Hola Everyone!

So, I am in Guatemala safe and sound! And it is exactly how I pictured
it. It is amazing here! The smells, the people, everything is amazing.
The flights went  really well.  The last bit of American land I saw
was Florida. I took a picture and I said see ya later United Sates!

I am typing on a Spanish key board so I can't find certain punctuation
marks so excuse the lack of grammar. Also I can't find the spell check
on this thing so excuse the misspelled words as well.

Here in Guatemala, it is winter, so in other words, a whole lot of rain!
I totally love it! Beautiful city! The buildings and everything here
are so old looking and worn out I really like it.

The MTC or CCM here is really laid back. Like you can take a nap if
you feel the need too and eat as much ice cream or Heldado as you
want. Its so small. 110 people total. Crazy huh? There are two brick
buildings. One is the main MTC and the other is Temple Patron housing
( where I am staying) for people who come to the temple which is a
block away from the MTC. I am actually looking at it right now as we
speak. It looks like the Boise Temple. My room is really nice.

Here at the MTC it is exactly like a missionary schedule. Get up, gym,
breakfast, personal study, comp study, lunch....etc... We also get to
do alot of stuff outside the MTC. Every Saturday we get to do service
in the community. How awesome huh? I cant wait to get out and about.
There is also a local market we go too. Oh and in three weeks I get to
go on a field trip to the city. Malls and historical places. I am so
excited.

I have really gotten a piece of humble pie while I am here. There is a
Latino in out room who doesn't speak English. the only thing she knows
is "Whats up fool!" she is sassy. She saw all our luggage and said wow
you brought a lot of stuff. The whole time I have been thinking I
didn1 bring enough. She only has one pair of shoes and a couple pairs
of clothes. I was like, "wow, I really do come from a different world."

There is also this man named Roberto Cacas who doesn't speak that much
English but he is learning. I didn't realize how hard it is for them to
learn English. We are the same because its hard for me to learn
Spanish.

The food here is actually really good but if you don't eat it all they
will be offended. So I am learning to say just a little bit of food.
They give you a lot of starchy foods. I feel food babies coming on!

I have come up with a motto for myself for the next year and a half
and beyond and I decided to share it with you. Here it is: "I am here
to make things better. Why will it be better? Because I was there!"

I totally love that. I hope that the lives of the people in Panama
will be better because I was there, representing our savior Jesus
Christ and inviting them to come to Christ.

Lets hope that I can live up to my motto.

Well I just wanted to let you guys know that I am here safe and that I
am going to work my hardest to learn the language so I can be able to
teach the gospel of Christ to the people of Panama in their own
language.

I miss you guys, but not enough to come home! Love you!


- Hermana Channing Jackson