Guatemala - December 28, 2009

¿hola, como estan?
I'm good here, and the season went by good - lots of fire works and parties and loud music. I'm not a big fan of the holidays here, they are just so different, but I guess that's just the cultural touch to things. Thanks so much for the package; we ate brownies today :) oh yeah! We are so spoiled now! Let me know when you get the card, and ask Tamra if she got the bag - i tried to send stuff, anyway the most important thing is that you are all good and happy. I'm sorry that I did not get to talk to every one individually, especially Candice, but I'm really needing all the help I can get for this area and other things, so I really need to follow the rules. Just like is says in the D & C, ¨I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say. . .¨, so i just have to do what he says! Thanks for everything that all of you do for me, I know that we can be a family together forever! We just have to push through the hard times. We are teaching that to the members continually, it is going to be hard but the Road to Calvary was not easy, so we can't expect things to come easy, but we can put our faith in God and it will take our fears away. I know this is His Gospel and His church and his way, I'm so grateful to be a part of it. I hope and pray my work will be enough, but I'm just putting it all in the hands of the Lord. If there is anything that i can do for you all please let me know, OK? May our God always be with you, all of you!
con mucho amor para siempre,
Elder Grover

Guatemala - December 21, 2009

Hola! Hey, I just had the Christmas Conference, it was great! I got one package from you and one from Tamra, Yay! I'm so happy this time of year ya' know. And I am also exited to be here in Guatemala. The Area President gave us a few new rules, and I'm happy and willing to follow them. I can only talk 30 minutes on Christmas, so i will try to call the home phone first, and then the cell, we will see what happens. I will call at 1 in the afternoon (my time), I think that is 12 there. We have not had electricity here for a week, and we probably won't have it for a few more weeks, but we are going to borrow a cell from a member - I hope it all works out. Oh yeah, it is crazy here - fireworks and parades and a whole lot more. I am in Xela right now, but we are traveling back to Malacatan today. I love you all, thanks for everything! we will talk on Friday! con amor, Elder Grover

Photos from Guatemala

Gabriela's baptism
Elder Marshall and Elder Grover with Gabriela and Antonio

Happy Birthday Elder Grover!

Hey family! I must say I'm truly humbled, the last few week have been rough, but I want to testify to you that the Lord really answers prayers. When I got the letter from Dad, it was right when everything we had fell through. We were preparing a family that received a witness that the gospel was true, but the week they were supposed to be baptized, they left to work far away in a tobacco field. All the other people we were teaching did not want to hear any more from us, ... in short, we were praying for a miracle to help us get out and pick things up. Just about every time I have prayed for the work or for you as a family, a feeling of peace has entered my soul, I could not fight it or doubt it. And now, this past Sunday we had 104 people in church and a handful of new investigators to teach. It was branch conference, and the Lord heard our cries. I know with out a single doubt in my mind that the Lord's desire for our family is in the celestial realms of his kingdom, and he will provide a way for us to accomplish it. The road will be hard but the road to Calvary was not all that easy ether. I pray that we all will find ways to become more like Christ this season, for it is through him that everything is possible. I so testify in his name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
I'm good here, I definitely don't feel like I'm 20, but the members are going to give me food tonight so that is neat. We are happy and moving right into the Christmas season. I have not received letters or anything in a long time, but we are going to have a dinner as a mission soon, so I think that is probably when we will receive it all. I'm not worried about you all, I know God is with you. I'm so happy to hear that Jesse is preparing for the mission ( it's just the beginning:) ) Felice Navidad! I'm so happy, just remember that and it makes me even more happy when you all are happy too. I testify that this is the work of God, and he is leading it by the hand of his Son. I love you all so much, and thanks for the birthday email! May God protect you and this family forever and ever!
Elder Grover

Guatemala - December 7, 2009

Sorry I'm a little late writing today, but we had transfers. Me and Elder Marshall are the only ones not getting changed in the zone, wich is great because we need to pick up the branch really bad, and we are starting to pick things up already. We found a family the other day that races horses. There is a lot of work to do with them, but we felt the spirit lead us there. I'm fine and all, so no worries this week. Oh, Elder Marshall will be 20 on the 16th, how cool is that? Just two days after me, we are going to fiesta it up! I would like to ask for some recipes, like German chocolate cake, my brownies and another cake. We are going to do cakes for the members :) So yeah, anyway thanks for the update. Yaygo Jens! That is so cool that you went undefeated this year! And for the other boys, how are you doing in wrestling? I want to hear from each of you individually, okay? Maybe I can help. Always remember that I'm here for you all, all the time. I love you all ,and I hope that all is good there. Remember to always put the Lord first in all things and he will put you first too. I know He lives; I put my trust in him and he gives me peace. I love you all with all my heart, may God keep you and us together forever.
con amor para siempre, Elder Grover

Guatemala - November 30, 2009

Hola familia! Como estan? espero que todo esta bien con ustedes yo se que la vida es ¨hard¨ pero con Dios nada es imposible. So your Thanksgiving was good, that is so cool that you all could be together, and the new little girl too. It made me so happy that you sent a picture, I showed the others, she is so small! So the family just keeps growing, so how is everyone doing at home? I looked at the calender this morning and I realized that I have been away from you all for 10 months now. I hit double digits, can you believe that? The work here is good, just has been a little slow lately, but we are hoping to pick things up. I kind of don't want to leave my kid, but changes are next week, so we will see what happens. Something that is neat was Guatemala had EFY, and some of the teens from our branch went. They were not thinking about going on missions, and they came back changed, and are full of the spirit. I think we will be progressing as a branch through this EFY, we are really happy. I want to know if there is anything I can do for you at all. I am called ¨to lift up the hands that hang down¨, I am always here, we are an eternal family right? Anyway, I will be here next week, con mucho amor para siempre
Elder Grover