Hola familia. Sorry I wasn't able to let you know that I was going to
email today instead of tomorrow. We had our P-day today because all
the old north americans and latinos left for the field today and my
group went on a field trip into the city. It was so much fun. First
we went out to see a topographical map of guatemala that was made out
of cement. It was so cool. way better than google earth. The detail
was amazing excpecially since it was made like 50 years ago or more (i
cant remember). It was way cool to look at it and see how this could
be the area of the book of mormon. After that we went to the central
market to shop for things. It was crazy. It was a huge three story
complex jam packed with different vendors selling their wares. It was
fun to barter for things in spanish and I got some cool things but i
had to control myself and realize that I still have two years to buy
things. But i got a way cool hoody even though i doubt ill need it in
Ray-oo, a zelda shirt and a guatemalan soccer jersey, and a hacky
sack. All for 15 bucks or 120 quetzales. It was so cool to see all
the colors and and the culture represented there. After that we went
to this mall and a museum that was in the mall. The mall was nicer
than any mall that i have been to in the states and we were able to
get lunch there. The museum was about the mayan ruins and it was
actually built over the ruins of one of the cities that used to be
here. It was a lot of fun to learn more about the mayan culture and
see the past of these people. We returned after that to the CCM to
finish up our P-day. Today marks the halfway point of our stay at the
CCM and the next three weeks are going to be interesting. Excpesially
because Elder Jacobson and I were called yesterday as Assistants to
the President. It came as a total shock and Elder Jacobson and I have
been wondering why he called us but something that President Steimle
said when he called us is that the Lord doesn't call qualified men but
he calls men to qualify them. That has given me a lot of comfort to
know that if I do my best and work my hardest, the Lord will qualify
me and make up the rest. Im going to learn alot and quick because
tonight we are getting a new batch of N americans and tomorrow we are
getting a new batch of Latinos. I love you all so much and cant wait
to hear from you next week. ¡Todo esta bien!

Love Elder Matthew

Truman Thorley