13 months but who's counting?

Buenos!

Pues, this week the Avendaño family got baptized on the 14th of February! We woke up at 2 am on the 14th to go to a multi-zone conference in San Lucas (we live the farthest away). The Elders made fun of us, because we brought the baptism clothes with us (thinking we wouldn't arrive in time.) We were nervous about getting back home before 5:30 pm. Luckily, we got home at 4:20 pm. We stopped by and helped them get ready and we all headed to the church. I have never been so happy. It was amazing to see one by one enter into this special covenant with our Heavenly Father. There was a fiesta here in Sololà and I am sure there was a fiesta in Heaven as well. Right now, we are working with some investigators and looking to find some new ones.

I was reading a conference talk this past week and I really liked two quotes that was that were stated:

"Look at my life now and compare it to my former life. You will see that I am trying to live out the truth I proclaim." Leo Tolstoy

"Do not gloat, but give your help to anyone trying to walk the road back to God."

As missionaries and members, we are nowhere close to perfect, but if we try to live the doctrine we will become more like our Savior. I challenge each of you to reflect on the changes each of you have had and the changes you all would like to have. And always, help the missionaries help others come unto Christ.

Con amor,
Hermana Tibbits

Baptisms and a cute puppy (:

Valentine's Day

Buenos!

Well, this past week was a rollercoaster, but we made it out alive and happy to be here. This past week I was talking to someone and they said Valentine's Day is a pointless holiday for missionaries. I responded not if you have a baptism, and then one of the biggest miracles happened. The family I was working with in December and January are going to get baptized tomorrow. It was a super awesome experience. We showed up to see if we could help them and ended up talking to the sister. We just started talking about baptism. I told her she could get baptized any day if she wanted like the 14th of February. Then we started talking about it a little more and she just says what day does the 14th fall on. Well, it's a Wednesday. She replied okay, I will do it. I left that lesson so happy. I know that through the promises we make by being baptized by someone who holds the Priesthood we can receive so many blessings not just be clean of all our sins. I know my purpose and I love helping others find their purpose. I love inviting others to make covenants with our Father in Heaven. I love the mission. These past 13 months have absolutely flown by. There is not a minute to be wasted in the work of the Lord and I will keep sharing the gospel with everyone I meet during the rest of my mission and after.

Love you all!

Hermana Tibbits

Zona Sololà Hermanas
Mi compañera y yo (:

Sololá el querido y chulo

Sololá Sololá Sololá

I love Sololá so much! Every day I get to look at this beautiful lake. This week was good, we found new investigators and are working with the mom of 2 of the teenagers that got baptized about a week ago. I am currently learning Katchiquel (and Español still.) There is not much going on. There is a lot of work here to do in Sololá and am so glad I have the opportunity to be here for another change.

Ixcajó

Les amo!

I love you all!!

Hermana Tibbits

(Hermana López, the Lake with my compañera, and sketchy bridge 2)

Baptisms and Changes

Pues, hay cambios...

Mi hija ya terminó su entrenamiento y se fue. I love this work so much and I know that the Lord is leading it. My companion and I were going to close our area but President showed up to have interviews with and got to participate in our baptisms. He decided to keep El Mirador open, but Hermana Gándara still left the area. My new companion is Hermana Maldonado from Ecuador. She is super sweet and awesome. She has 5 months in the mission and makes me feel old (: Guatemala is beautiful and I know I knew in Heaven that if I made the right choices I would come here and find those who I promised there to help them come unto Christ. I know miracles exist. I love this beautiful place and amazing work.

con amor,
Hermana Tibbits

1 Year in the mission

Buenas!
I love being a missionary and can't believe that I have a year in the mission. It doesn't feel real. This week was super awesome. We got permission to baptize 3 patojos this Saturday and we are super excited. It will be the first baptisms for my hija in her mission. We burned my skirt for 1 year. We also went to Patzicia for zone conference. I loved being back in my beloved Patzi. We are really happy here in Sololá.

Read 1 Nephi 20:10 (: Our challenges are for a reason. Por sacrificios hay mayor bendiciones. Nada es por gusto!

Les amo!
Hermana Tibbits

Service cutting wood
1 año
Chasing waterfalls

1 año en la misión (casí)

Hola todos!

This week was calidad. We saw miracles as well as trials of faith. I know we have been sent here together in Sololá for a reason and it's okay if we are only here to plant the seeds and not harvest. I know there are people being prepared every day and that the Lord has a plan for His people here in Sololá.

Well, I love being a missionary and missionary work. "The missionary opportunity of a lifetime is yours. The blessings of eternity await you." I have loved every minute of this past year as a missionary, but I have learned that every member is a missionary and has a testimony to share. I know my Savior lives and loves me. I have gotten to know Him a little bit better and understand more about His Atonement. I know His Atonement is real and personal. I know families can be eternal and it is one of the greatest gifts our loving Heavenly Father can give us. I know the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ that helps us come closer to Christ when we read it with the Bible. I know miracles exist and they are all around us. Just look for them and when you find them write them down to remember.

I love you all and hope you all have an awesome week!

Hermana Tibbits

Antigua (mi hija and I)
Divisions in San Lucas
Korea will always have a piece of my heart
I finally got a nativity from Guatemala

11 months....and a daughter

Well, 2 weeks passed really fast and ended my 7th transfer in the mission. I enjoyed these past 2 weeks in La Hermosa with my companions, but I have been transferred to train my daughter, Hna Gandara. We are super excited about this new adventure together here in Solola. It is so beautiful and I love it here. We have already seen miracles and we have only had a day together.

I went to the temple a week or two ago for the first time here in Guatemala. I absolutely loved it. I am so grateful my companions and I had the opportunity to go to the temple for our PDay. This time of year has been so special and I love being a missionary. I love the Book of Mormon. I know it was written and translated to change and save lives. I know miracles exist. I know Jesus Christ lives and love us individuallly. I know Joseph Smith was a man, but he was also a prophet called of God to restore the church of Jesus Christ.

Feliz Navidad!

con mucho amor,
Hermana Tibbits

1. Temple in Guate
2. My companions and temple in Guate
3. Feliz Navidad
4.My daughter and I (: