Thursday, March 29, 2012

"Orange Walk"

Well definitely this week has been one of the craziest that I've ever experienced in my life. And I have also decided that I’m never going to go and get married. So as you know or might remember that we had a marriage and baptism of the Perez Family. Man talk about some serious stress....... I now realize how and why there were so many fights and tears shed while you were preparing for the reception. Man, we were preparing since the beginning of the week for this and let me just tell you that at the end it all turned out successful. After everything, a lot of people banded together to help us out and to make it possible. But like I said, I'm not sure about ever getting married... or at least waiting a while.... long while...... hahahah

Also I'll break the bad/good news to you all. Changes are on Wed. and I’m getting transferred..... I'm going to Orange Walk which is like 1.5 hours in bus from the city here. So it’s good and bad. The good thing is that I’ll be close enough and when we do interchanges I will be able to come here and say Hi to everyone that I know. The bad is that I’m going there now and I've got to start the whole ordeal all over again. Getting to know everyone, the members, the house, I know a very little part of the area..... etc.... But I know that it’s what the Lord wants me to do. It’s very hard to get to love the people here and then be taken out.... I honestly do love them..

1 – Where are you going to watch conference this weekend? Do they broadcast all sessions or only Sunday’s?

Well like you know I’m going to be in Orange Walk and I assume that we are going to see it in the church but I'm not even sure where the church is.... But it’s all going to be good. I'm going to be with an Elder named “Elder Ingersoll”... So we'll see how it’s all going.

2 – Do they still have open “sewer-type” gutters that run in the city? (The skin doctor said they were quite gross and he or his companion fell in one once.)

Well yes the sewer system here is not so good. Like on the sides of the streets there are giant gutters that just stagnant water sits in and things fall in and there is usually a nasty smell coming from them. I really really feel bad for his companion that fell in one.... OH and speaking of the skin doctor - I hope that you set up an appointment for me when I get back because not so much my face but my body is kinda breaking out..... =( That was a side note for my mom.... hahaha so ignore that everyone else.

3 – Do you have someone that cleans your apartment or do you actually put your own “elbow grease” into it? You are the clean one – right… :D

Of course your amazing son does it!!! You took all that time to teach me how to do it so I’m the one that puts in the "elbow grease" to make everything look all nice and clean. Plus my companion is really clean, most of the time and together we get everything looking almost new. But really it’s a nice house.

Well here I am yet again on another adventure. At least it’s not that big of a change from here to Orange Walk. But it’s definitely making me sad leaving the people here that I love. I guess there is something for me to do there and that my time here was well spent. At least I believe so.

I Love you all,

Elder Sutton

P.S. Of course Megan is awesome! She does have you two as parents! That’s why I turned out so handsome and smart..... hahah - Or maybe I wish... But really, the parents thing is true.

*Spanish or English in Orange Walk? It’s actually both. That’s the thing here in Belize.. Out of the city its way close to Mexico so they all speak Spanish and English, but with a funny accent in Spanish... hahahah

Pray for me so that things go well in Orange Walk though. =)

*Mail to the same P.O. Box? Yes, it will be the same P.O. Box so it’s all good.

*Will you end up riding the bus into Belize city every week for meetings/mail/writing? Well we'll come here like every other week - whenever we have zone meetings. But it’s going to be alright. I just am thinking of the positive things and not to be sad. =)

But I’ll take lots of pictures don't worry. =)

Love you all and have a great week!!!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

3 Baptisms This Last Week :)

Man so this is such a small world. I remember those people from Granger, UT, coming up to me and presenting themselves to me and then they took your email and phone number and all that jazz. I wasn't sure that they were actually going to give you a call or anything. But guess what? I'm still alive!!!! Good news, huh?

But man I need to just start off by saying Megan looks so beautiful. Her dress was really great too. I was a little skeptical when you said something about being a mermaid thing, but really I think it looked good. Now I just need to see the guy to make sure I approve of him. Right Megan? But I remember when I used to go on school dances. I never really was good at dancing but it was sure fun just going to hang out with them. Even though I learned the piano a little, dancing was never my strong suit. (haha)

1 – Did you receive your package from home? (If it hasn’t arrived – it may have been stolen because it’s been almost 3 weeks – sorry, it happens.)

Well actually YES, I finally got my package. The thing is that I just barely got it! It must have taken extra-long or something. Well I do love it so much. I was so excited to get some food too. Elder Smith (lives in my house with us) was so excited to see the hamburger helper. (Haha) we're true North Americans. But I loved all the letters too. I love just hearing from you all too - even Eric wrote me. Cool!!

2 – Do you actually have a release date and/or fly home date? (We know you don’t want to think about it now, but we won’t bug you if we just have a date…..maybe)

Haha - man I’d say that you are all BAGGY (trunky). But I really am not sure as of yet. What someone told me was around 1st of August is when I would be coming home but I’m not too sure. They don't really let us know officially. But the 28th of July isn't going to be my date because that’s still at the end of the transfer. So I’m thinking August is the end of the transfer. (haha)

3 – Were you able to find someone to fix your shoes or should we just send you a new pair? (What brand & size you need if that’s your choice?)

Well as of yet I haven't got any new shoes. I don't know this is my thinking - Whether my shoes can last me until the end or not. The only problem is both of the shoes I brought are in sorry condition. So I’m not sure. The Echos are what have lasted longer than the Rock Ports. But they were a little extra money.

4 – Do you and your comp end up going to multiple wards on Sunday or do you only have one you attend? (What’s your Sunday like?)

Well here in the city there is just one for us (the English branch) and one for the Spanish branch (elders Smith and Zepeda). But yeah we have our meeting at 9 o'clock.

Well this last week we had 3 baptisms – Levi Gillett (60s), Karl Frutos (30s) and Alisha Arana (9). They weren't in the same family though. But man they all are great people. Levi actually was listening to the missionaries in New York and came down here to be baptized because he really is Belizean. Karl is actually deaf and it has been a long process to try and teach him but he is amazing - very strong man. It’s very hard for deaf people here in Belize. Then Alisha was a little adopted girl from someone in the branch.

This week we have a wedding..... Talk about stressful. I've decided not to ever get married. This isn't even my wedding and I’m stressed out. NOW I know how Amanda and Mom felt during this whole process. The cake, the dress, the building, the decorations......... etc......... but it’s all good because after they get married they are going to be baptized - the Perez family (Ruth, Greg and their daughter Rosalie).

This week has been quite the week for us. We seem to be running around more than usual and not much is showing. Like we are working hard and not many results. But no use of getting mad. I have just decided that I’m learning how to work while being tired. (Haha) It’s a preparation for when I have a job right? But definitely this is the best thing ever. I'm staying busy.

Transfers are coming up next week. I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen. My companion has been here with me for a while. It wouldn't surprise me if he got transferred but I hope not. We are working hard here and baptizing. Who knows; that’s the fun about transfers. But I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be here in this area for a while. It wouldn't surprise me.

I love you all and I hope that you can all know how much I love you. How much I love my mission and how much I love the people that I'm serving. They will always have a place in my heart. You really grow to love them.

Love - Elder Sutton

Friday, March 23, 2012

Soles for Souls

Saving souls in Belize, ruining soles in his shoes.

Chipmunk Missionaries


Playing the "How many marshmallows can you fit in you mouth and talk" game?

March 2012 Baptism

Levi Gillett (age 60)
Karl Frutos (age 30 and deaf)
Alisha Arana (age 9)

Belize Sunset

George & Benny

Greg & Ruth

Baptised 3-24-2012

Family Baptism March 2012

San Pedro Island, Belize



San Pedro Island Belize






Elder Smith

Elder Smith

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Great Things Happening

Well things are going great here also. We had quite the crazy week. Actually yesterday we all went and played soccer in the morning on a dirt field with some of our investigators and really it was fun. But man there were some little kids playing and they were pretty good. Still not as good as me, of course, but they did hold their own. The only problem is that I’m pretty sore right now and my face got pretty burned. But definitely it was a lot of fun!

Well that’s good to hear that Megan staying busy. Even if that means that she is going to dances and stuff with boys.. That’s weird to me, I don't know if that’s weird to anyone else?.... (haha) but yeah, I guess that’s part of life....

Well another interesting fact about my week was how we got locked in our house during the elections and we had some sort of rest. I wish I could have slept but things didn't all work out that way and I got other chores done. =) Also I haven't looked in the mail as of yet to see about the package, but I think it should be here by now. haha

Also we have some great things happening in my area this week. We have 3 baptismal dates actually –

1) Levi Gillett, who was living in the states and got to know the missionaries there and took the lessons there, and just came back here to be baptized.

2) Then there is a girl named Alisha Arana who is a granddaughter of a really faithful member in the church but she is over the age of 8 so we are teaching her.

3) And then there is Karl Frutos who is actually deaf but has been going to church for months and he decided to be baptized now. But man it’s definitely fun learning sign language with him.

4) Then we have a great family, the Perez Family, who are going to be baptized on the 24th (Greg and Ruth and their daughter Rosalee). They really are an amazing family!

Well I love the work here! Even though it doesn't sound like it, I really do miss all of you and pray for you every day so that things work out for you. Like I always say, “don't worry about sending me some letters... (haha) I don't get mad.” OH - I did get some from mom and Megan which was a great surprise!!! Thank you so much!

But I know what I’m doing here is what’s the best thing ever I could have done with my life. I know that what I’m teaching is true. I know that there are so many thing that I still can learn in my life and I’m excited to keep on learning them.

God continues to talk to us today. Sometimes we just need to sit still and listen.

Love you All

Elder Sutton

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Burr... It's Cold!

So my dear family! This week has been one giant crazy weather changing week. So I’m looking outside the window and I see clouds and rain and just a few days ago it was so hot that I could feel the sunburn. So I'm not sure if it’s like a tropical storm or what? But its definitely another day here in Belize! I have just decided one thing, I’m going to take the hottest shower possible when I get back because MAN ITS COLD HERE!... okay for me at least; I believe that I’m used to the heat already. I'm sure mom and dad will buy me some sweat shirts when I get back so I don't freeze.. haha

Well that was crazy about Tate Wood coming home? I really had no idea what was going on? I hope that he is okay still..

Well more interesting stuff that have happened this week... Well tomorrow are the elections here which should be a crazy party everywhere. I can't wait to experience it here. We have rules and stuff like that so don't worry - nothing is going to happen to us, we even can't go out tomorrow night just to be sure and not get hurt or anything. But like I told you, it’s going to be lots of fun. Maybe with that extra time that we'll have, we can write some letters to you all or SLEEP?!?! That would be amazing - huh?

1 – Tell us about your “special meeting” last week (ie. with whom, what subjects, etc.)

Well the meeting was with Elder Farabella from the area presidency here in Central America. ALL of the missionaries from the Cayo and Belize Districts were there and it was really great actually. We learned the importance of us having goals and completing our goals in life. If we don't have goals, we don't have dreams. But on the way back another Elder and I had to take the bus back because there weren't enough seats so that was a nice 3 hour bus ride in the dark.. (haha) But you know me - I love to travel.

2 – Have you received anything from the post office lately? (Anything you really liked?)

Well we just went today to the post office and still nothing..... I don't know. I think maybe the weather might have slowed it down. But I’m waiting patiently. I'm sure I’m going to love it all!!

3 – You never commented on your new “action figure” you got for your birthday – Amanda, Megan & I thought you’d get a laugh…..

Oh yes!! I actually have the action figure right by my head where I sleep. It’s pretty cool actually. I didn't even know that they made those kinds of things. But just so you know - the Elders in the house are pretty jealous; they want some too but I told them that only my family loves me. hahahah

4 – What was the strangest or coolest or most out of the ordinary thing you saw this week (living or non-living)?

Well some gross things that I’ve seen lately are road killed animals. Like an Iguana, also giant rats here. Man they are huge!!!! Like the size of a small cat! It’s quite interesting actually. Also there are tons of those little geckos like in Mexico too. But other than that I’m not remembering anything else.

So I remember that mom's birthday is coming up soon! I hope that your all going to throw a big party for her. I'll try and send some pictures for you because I know that is what you said you wanted.

Also the missionary couple (The Pattee's) are going home this next Monday, and they have already brought their replacements (The Orr's). They look really nice and they both served in Ukraine... didn't spell that right at all. ahah

But I love you all and I’m really glad that you wrote me this week!!!

Love your favorite missionary!

Elder Sutton

Monday, March 5, 2012

Elder Derek Sutton & Elder Diaz