10-30-12

Dear Mom,

 I had completely forgotten about halloween haha, its not really celebrated the same here. Wow, cant believe I had forgotten a holiday. But it is crazy that its right around the corner, The year is coming to an end. I love november and December. My two favorite months of the year, I dont know why but the climate and the environment, of that time of year is great. almost everyone is normally happy, and it just feels good.

Glad to hear that molly was able to enjoy rock climbing, I miss it so much, I dont know, you know how you and dad always told me that when I started wrestling it was good for me because it gave me a way to vent my energy? I feel like without some sort of activity in that form I am lacking here, Dont get me wrong, Missionary work is hard, and tiring, but its just not the same. It definitly is more satisfying working as a missionary.

Everything is going well with my companion, we have been working hard and have found some investigators, and are working really hard with them, I want my companion to have the experience of finding an investigator and having them be baptized. We already had a baptism but it was an investigator that had already been there for a while, The difference is this will be his investigator. So we are doing everything we can there, The training program is starting to put everything on him now bit by bit, he is taking control of planning sessions at night and weekly, and then next week with some other stuff. So the pressure is going to be a little harder on him. But he is really good so everything should turn out fine. 

We havent had a meeting with President Brough lately, the next one we have wont be until next change, so there is going to be a little gap, its because the last meeting is all about practices and my companion has to do everything with another new missionary, so basically its like the evaluation I guess. 

District meetings have been nice, we have been focusing alot on chapter 10 in preach my gospel this month, next month is going to be different but still not sure yet. 

We had pday as a zone yesterday, I was cleared to play sports again, but I am not allowed to play basketball or soccer, so ironically I am okay to play again, just not the two most popular sports to play here. Whats even more ironic is that I am okay to play capture the flag again, the game we were playing when I got hurt hahahaha, What a load of irony. Good for a laugh though. 

Well I hope that everything goes well with Papas surgery, he will be in my prayers, I am not really sure what else to put in these letters, its not like stuff doesnt happen in our weeks, but I dont really know what things in specific you are looking for in as much as details. But tell me what I can do to improve, I love you all and miss you a ton.

Love,

Christopher

10-23-12

Dear Dad,

 Well this past week has just gone by even faster than the last, I dont really know how to explain it but I feel like I am a huge rock just rolling down a hill that keeps on picking up more and more speed as I go. Training makes everything go by insanely fast. I feel like the days are always filled and we are always doing something. But thats a good thing so I am pretty happy. 

This last week we were working really hard to find alot of new investigators, we have to replenish everything because we baptized almost all of the investigators we previously had. So while we are doing that we end up finding 5 families this week, and they are all super nice, I would find it hard to believe that all of them reject this message. I know that one if not more has been prepared for the Lord to recieve the Gospel. I think its kind of interesting that we found a ton of families this week instead of just singles, usually its the opposite, but I am really happy because its what we truly want to find. My Companion just keeps on working harder, he doesnt have alot of fear, and what he does have still he gets rid of bit by bit each day, so he is really coming up and getting ready for what comes, I am kind of excited for week 11 of our training program, thats when our greenies our supposed to take over everything. President told all of the trainers in front of their companions about that week, and he told us all that we have to act like a completely new missionary the whole week haha, so I will be acting like a north american that doesnt speak spanish again hahahaha, but its not a big deal for my companion, he is ready, he honestly blows me away with how prepared he is to be a missionary sometimes.

Anyways, I dont really have any stories for the moment, just the random things that happen to us each week, The sisters have some sort of meeting with president today so our district meeting was alot smaller with just the other two elders and us, we enjoyed it alot though, basically I just made it a counsel on how we can convert our new investigators into progressing investigators, because as a district we have found 205 new investigators in the last 3 weeks, but only about 20 are progressing right now. So we need a huge focus there. Thats kind of the thing here in Guatemala though, Finding people isnt really a problem, helping them to progress is though. And then also filtering through those who are truly interested and arent really interested. 

I will be honest, reading the letters from my friends who are on missions is interesting, I see so many things that are different, I remember that a 70 told us in a conference that a large reason for being in the specific mission in which we are in, has to do with the mission president and his wife that are there. So it makes a ton of sense that the missions are different, because each one is built for the needs of the missionaries that go to that mission. And I am definitly sure that this is the mission I am supposed to be in, I cant even imagine what it would be like being in another with a different president, President Brough  is definitly the right mission president for me.

Anyways, I hope that everything is going well with your conference, hope that you enjoy it and learn a ton. Random item, but my companion studied electrical engineering before the mission and since I am kind of interested in studying that when I come home, I have been asking him a ton about it, its so interesting, definitly an idea to look into when I come home. But anyways, I love you all and miss you, hope to hear from you soon!

Love,

Christopher

10-16-12

Dear Mom,

 This week has flown by for me. We have had so many meetings and things to do, add on top of that that my companion and I have to study 4 hours everyday, and if we have to go to a meeting in the morning then when we come back if its not past 5 we have to do our studies still. Its pretty crazy. I am loving it but at the same time I am kind of stressed because I feel like my companion and I havent had a normal day in the mission yet, today we are doing divisions with the zone leaders and we had district meeting, so once again, another crazy day. Tomorrow might be a little calmer. Hope so at least. But some good news, my Companion baptized this weekend! Yup, we had a baptism, it was a really good one too, this investigator has been waiting a longgggggg time to be baptized, he had some things that he needed to clear up from his past life, and we had to wait for a response from the First Presidency to give the okay. So not only is he happy to be able to have been baptized, but also it was a huge relief to have the burdens weighing on his shoulders taken off. I have never seen an investigator with such a firm conviction to pass through all trials and make it to the baptismal font. Manuel in my Last area was super great, but in a different way. Its kind of interesting how each investigator is a completely different story. Well everyone in the world is like that, but we are often so caught up in ourselves and our own problems that we dont even pay attention.

I am glad to hear that Kenny was able to join you and the family in some activities, thats amazing, hopefully he can continue there, it will be a huge help for him.

So this last week we had Zone conference, which was absolutely amazing, we learned a ton, I am still trying to put all of it into practice, but in addition to all of that President was talking to us a little about the Proclamation to the World, by the first Presidency, and the Plan of Salvation. He talked about how when we were in Primary we were taught very simply that we were sent here to the earth to Obtain a body, and thats kind of all they ever told us. Then he made us all realize something, he told us,* You were sent here to get married!* haha, it was a funny statement, but while thinking about it it is so true, we were all sent here to obtain a body, become like God, and have our own eternal family. If we want our own eternal family, and want to return to the presence of God, we have to Get Married in the temple. So the truth is that each and every one of us was sent here to the earth to get married! I thought that was an extremely funny and at the same time interestingly true way to state our purpose here on earth.

Another thing, you probably wont believe this, but I think President Brough has convinced me not to drink coca cola or pepsi when I come home from the mission. its a rule here in the mission that we cant drink it, and I never really asked why, just followed the rule, but in a training meeting he was talking about it and he told us that he worried for the missionaries that say they cant wait until the day they finish their mission so that they can drink coca cola again, and then explained that while the First Presidency and Apostles have stated that it isnt against the word of wisdom, none of them drink it. Its going to be strange not drinking it anymore.... just alot of Grape soda I guess, and Jones Green apple soda, that stuff is so good. 

I dont know the exact place the sisters are from, I just know that Sister S is from the Coast, and that Sister D is from the other side, so I will have to try and get more specific on that, but its kind hard with all that goes on here, there really isnt any time to socialize here either haha, just for doing the missionary work.

My foot is doing great, dont worry too much about it, I am almost done with the time I have to wait to be able to play sports again, so I am excited for that.

Anyways, I hope I answered everything, if not, just let me know, I love you all a ton and miss you, hope that the whole family is doing well!

Love,

Christopher

10-9-12

Dear Mom,

 I am doing really well, This last week has been a roller coaster ride, but in a good way. We have been going everywhere and doing a ton of stuff all at once. My new companion is named Elder M, he is from Ecuador, and he is really cool, kind of quiet like me, but such a good missionary. He is really eager to work and Its great. He only has one younger brother, and his parents, As far as what we have in common, alot, but its kind of hard to explain. We have a ton of the same interests, but alot of them are things I have explored more than he has because he hasnt had the same oppurtunities as I have. But we get along really well and are enjoying this time.

Training is so different from anything else, I dont know how to describe it, I feel excited, but alot of pressure all at once, its a huge learning process for me and I am enjoying it, but at the same time I am constantly having to watch out, because I have to do everything right. My Companion is great though, he doesnt have problems doing stuff when I ask him too, for example, in our mission we get on the buses to travel, and then we always contact them, so we stand in front and share a small message, then pass by the seats asking for addresses and such to pass by and visit the people.(Something not too easy in a bus that is driving as if it were on the nascar speedway) And the first time I told him to do it he just did it. He doesnt really have alot of fear. Or rather, he is always ready to do what is required of him, its a great example for me. 

In other news, There is a new sister in the District, her name is Sister S, She is from the Dominican republic, which is kind of funny because her companion is from there too, haha, so they get along well. Shes a really hard worker and I am really glad to have her in the district. By the way, could you find out where in the Dominican Republic Jacobs mom served? I dont remember which mission, but its possible that Sister C was in the cities where these two sisters come from, They are both from different parts of the Dominican Republic so who knows. 

In other news, Conference weekend was great, can you believe they changed the age limit for missionaries? Thats pretty interesting, I assume there will be an increase in all of the missionaries throughout the world. Also something that President told us was that They are changing the amount of time missionaries will spend in the MTC, Just 2 weeks for those who are serving in their own language, and 6 for the others. Thats awesome, I am so jealous of all the missionaries who will never have to pass 9 weeks in the MTC like I did. I will admit I loved the MTC though.

Talks that I liked, Uchdtorfs Saturday Morning talk was Stellar, Also Elder Andersons talk, along with Elder Eyrings talk in Priesthood, Elder Nelsons talk Saturday Morning was amazing too, and also Jeffrey R. Hollands talk on sunday. His talk on sunday was kind of the same as one he has given before but it was still really good, a great reminder. Conference is so great, I can honestly say that I enjoyed each and every talk, Being a missionary is the best. I watched in English on Saturday and then In Spanish on Sunday. Fun fact, I dont know if you know this, but Richard G Scott speaks Spanish, and so he does his own translation to spanish on the broadcast, he just makes a recording beforehand, I dont know if the other Apostles do the same, but maybe David A. Bednar does his translation to German and all the others too, kind of a cool thought.

But anyways, it sounds like everyone is doing really well there, I am enjoying the mission a ton, the time is literally just disappearing, I dont know what happens to each day because before I know it it is already over. 

In answer to your question on music, I get to listen to it, but not all the time, the only time is when we are in the house and such, which isnt much, but its alright, it just makes it easier to enjoy songs without getting bored of hearing them over and over again.

I think I got all of your questions, If I missed something let me know, I love you a ton and miss you all there, hope that the family keeps on enjoying time together.

Love,

Christopher

p.s. Dont forget to find out where Sister C served please

To watch or read the talks Christopher referred to, here is the link:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng

10-5-12 from Mission President

Dear family of Elder Christopher Giles Pierce,

It is with love that we inform you that Elder Pierce, has been called to serve as a Trainer in the Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission.  This is a tremendous responsibility to supervise the development of a new missionary.

The mission president´s manual says, 'One of the greatest expressions of trust that you can give a missionary is to assign him or her as a trainer of a new missionary.  Choose only outstanding missionaries to serve as trainers'.  That is the confidence that I have in Elder Pierce.

We appreciate Elder Pierce for the commitment that has been demonstrated to the Lords work.  We thank you for your prayers and support.

Yours faithfully,

M. Joseph Brough
Mission President

10-2-12

Dear Mom,

 I Dont have changes this week, but my companion does, so he will be leaving, however, I am going to be training! haha, I am so excited and worried at the same time, I know that I can do it, but its still something very stressful for me and I worry about making mistakes. Changes are tomorrow and I will be coming back with my new companion, I dont have any idea who it will be, just that I will be with them for the first 12 weeks in the field.

It sounds like the wedding was a ton of fun, I am sure all of you had a great time spending family time together. 

Not too much has been happening here, we baptized 314 people this last month in September, so we achieved and even did more than our goal of 300, how awesome is that? The whole mission is super happy and we are grateful that we were blessed enough to be able to be the instruments in Gods hand to complete this goal. Almost everyone in my district is staying, just my companion and sister v are leaving, I am sad to see them go, they are really good missionaries and they will be missed, but at the same time I know that there are people somewhere else who need them more than we do here in my district.

Something funny, haha, so because I am training, the companion I recieve is going to be my son haha, its kind of a thing we do in the mission, so I am going to be a dad! anyways, so yesterday my whole district got together and did a babyshower for me hahahahahahahaha, it was a ton of fun, kind of silly but my district is all so thoughtful. They help me everyday to be a better missionary, I hope I help them as much as they help me.

But not too much has been happeninng here, I think I got the majority of the questions you all had. The mission is great, I am enjoying it a ton, I cant believe that I have been gone as long as I have, its just not enough time. President told us that when you are training the time goes by fastest also, so i guess the time could start going by even faster. I come home tired everyday but somehow I always have energy the next one. Thats a huge blessing for me.

I love you all a ton, as far as things I like for christmas, treats? well, Starburst are my favorite I think, they are pretty much impossible to find here. Cheez its also, those are things I cant find at all here, but whatever you all have planned to send, is okay with me, I dont really need a ton. I love you all and miss you!

Love,

Christopher

I asked him what starburst flavors are his favorite and also about his "shower":

My favovrite starburst flavors? well, generally I like any kind that isnt the original bag most, dont get me wrong, the originals are good, but I like the newer flavors, But I couldnt tell you which one is my favorite, I havent seen a package in about a year and a half now haha.

Well, they didnt shower me with anything haha, but we went to eat and then we all just played games, stuff like guessing if my companion was going to be a northamerican or a latino, everyone gave me advice on how I have to raise him, etc. haha, it was a fun day. they made invitations and stuff for all of our district and whatnot. 

But I love you all and miss you!

Christopher

p.s. 

 I got the talks, thanks a ton, I love reading talks here, is there a way I can get a hold on this king follet discourse that wesley was talking about? I also want to get a hold of lectures on faith if I can. But thanks a ton for the talks!

I found the sermon on lds.org and emailed it to him.

Thanks, I would search for the talks and such myself but we arent allowed to go to the website here in our mission, so we cant go look for things like that, thank you so much!