In Guatemala

Guatemala is new. I havent eaten anything too weird yet just cow liver. The elders say cow foot is the worst.

The people are so sweet and paitent with me. I know very little spanish. And that has been really hard. I came in with no sleep because we flew all night, sick (for the 5th time since entering the MTC) and all they did was speak spanish at the presidents house.  So I have no idea what the rules are or what advice they gave... But my companion has been out for a year and she knows it all thankfully. She speaks english thankfully. She lived in a merica from ages 9-17. She is really nice and likes to laugh. its difficult during the day when we are out because she only speaks spanish to me but when we are in the apartment its okay. I didn't think learning Spanish would be this hard. I have no confidence in myself. We don't have any progressing investigators we mainly focus on reactivating in actives. some of the people don't even speak Spanish they speak ceche and it is different  everywhere even from house to house. I'm not even worried about learning it. I want to speak Spanish first.  We have to wash our clothes in a pilla (basically a big sink with wash boards on either side). then we have strings all over the apartment to hang them on. We are pretty lucky to have hot water for our shower, one of the very few in the mission. It´s super cold here. I sleep with a hod-die I bought in the MTC, the P-jays you gave me for Christmas and 5 blankets!I already have adopted another family here. Hermana Norma is taking really good care of me. she is so sweet. Another family is making lasagna for me this week. these people have nothing literally dirt floors and  running water only from 6 am-9 am its crazy! oh and they don't flush the used toilet paper they just put it in the trash and some places don't even have tp but I have those kleenex and I bought a whole other pack. They have trash all over the streets and poo too. its kinda gross. But they also have a ton of dogs! they leave people alone but attack each other a lot.  Hna Bautista Mission President said that letters don't really get here but packages usually make it. So tell everyone to just email me. I get an hour of email here. alyssa.stoddard@myldsmail.net
I love you!!!!!

I Love all of you!
mucho amor,
 hermana Stoddard