February 21, 2017---THE FLAVOR OF FLOWERS, LAST WEEK TOGETHER, "THE SPIRIT IS THE ANSWER," CHILLING AND CHURRASCO, *NOTE/**NOTE FROM THE EDITOR, SURGERY AND GLASSES

 THE FLAVOR OF FLOWERS
A fruit that you eat here that has the sabor (flavor) of flowers.

LAST WEEK TOGETHER
We have 2 baptisms planned for this week and it's the last week of our change together so we are super pumped for that.  

"THE SPIRIT IS THE ANSWER"
"The Spirit is the answer."  Presidente Markham always says that, haha.  Elder Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,  talked to us.  It was super awesome!   I learned a bunch of things from Elder Rasband, but some things that stuck out to me is don't give up and look for ways to feel the Spirit and the love of Christ in our lives.  The church is true.  I really felt the spirit and love from our Savior.  It was such a great experience.

So awesome this week!   LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Les Amo

Elder Sweat

CHILLING AND CHURRASCO

Chilling with the homies.  Doing a churrasco for lunch with some members. 

*Note from the editor:  

I will share what I learned about Churrasco.

*Churrasco (Spanish: [tʃuˈrasko], Portuguese: [ʃuˈʁasku]) is a Spanish and Portuguese term referring to beef or grilled meat more generally, differing across Latin America and Europe, but a prominent feature in the cuisine of Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru and other Latin American countries. The related term churrascaria (or churrasqueria) is mostly understood to be a steakhouse...In Guatemala, churrasco is regarded as a typical dish, often eaten in familiar gatherings and festive occasions. It is usually served topped with chirmol, a red sauce containing chopped tomatoes and onions, and accompanied by corn, guacamole, grilled potatoes, stewed black beans, rice and tortillas.  Source Wikipedia

**Note from the editor:   

We got a call early Monday morning from President and Sister Markham letting us know that Elder Sweat needed some minor surgery on his toes and that he needed to have his glasses replaced.  It was such a sweet experience to hear from President and Sister Markham.  They told us that he was a hard worker said Dietrich is becoming a man.  They also said what great parents we were.  Haha!  We have excellent children.  The phone call and sweet words brought such a warm peace to my soul.  I will share with you what Elder Sweat told me about it the surgery and glasses.  

SURGERY AND GLASSES

"It's all good.  It was both my big toes, but this time I got anesthesia, haha.  You know how I am with these things, so I was breathing crazy hard and started to sing hymn and stuff cuz I was going crazy, haha.  But it was all good cuz my companion was there with me too.  I told him he had to come with me cuz you (mom)  would always be there for me for things like that too.  So he was a homie and was there with me and is making sure I'm all good haha.  He is a great companion."

"No, yeah, my glasses, they were getting pretty destroyed so I felt like it was time haha.  Thanks you so much to help me out to get new glasses.  They will not be wasted."  

Elder Sweat has always been very frugal and careful with money.  Such a sweet and thoughtful trait.  I know they won't be wasted.  They must have been bad for him to request a new pair.  Love this kid!

February 14, 2017---QUICK FOTO, INSPIRED VISIT, A GREAT KID

February 14, 2017

QUICK FOTO we took cuz a convert wants to make some things for us with our photo.

INSPIRED VISIT
Another experience with the Spirit.  We were in an area like 15 or 20 minutes in bus from the main part of our area and we didn't have anyone that had chosen to give us lunch. So we were walking and a family came into my mind but I didn't say anything and then my companion a couple seconds later said the same family that came into my head. I was like dude that's what I was thinking haha.  So we called them and when it was time for lunch we went over to their house and it turned out that they were passing some really difficult pruebas (tests) right now so we were able to talk with them and try to give them a little bit of consolacion (consolation)  because they were really down. They said they didn't know why we called at that moment but knew that it was by the Spirit that we came and visited them. I know it's something not super crazy but if we are worthy and willing to listen to the Spirit we will be able to help people no matter where we are in the world.

A GREAT KID
Our zone is doing great we are finding a lot of people that can be baptized in this next couple of weeks.  We were visiting a compadre (member but that is a good friend) and he told us that his nephew turned 9 yrs old but never got baptized.  So we should be able to baptize him this coming week.  The meta (goal) is the 26th and he's a great kid and has a lot of support from family members.

LES AMO

Elder Sweat

February 7, 2017---I HAVE THE FAITH, "DO OUR JOB", DO NOT CLIMB, PHOTOS

I HAVE THE FAITH
We had some people come to church this week and we were walking by a sister like 3 times in the church.  I felt like I should ask her her name.  So the like 3rd time we passed I went and I talked to her and it turns out she is not a member, but her husband is.   She accepted a visit and asked if she could have a Book of Mormon. We will see what happens but I have the faith that she can get baptized and sealed to her family. 

"DO OUR JOB"
We are still on the search for more people and I know we can all baptize in the zone. We all have people but we just have to "Do Our Job" says Pres Markham.  He said that's what the Patriots had as a slogan and they ended up winning (the Super Bowl) as I'm sure you knew.  He called me early in the morning to tell me how the game went haha.  Presidente and Hermana Markham are so awesome and give us such great consejo (advice)

.

Les Amo

Elder Sweat

DO NOT CLIMB

PHOTOS

January 31, 2017---FUNNY STORY

FUNNY STORY
Funny story is that I was joking around with my companion, and you know how I am with jokes.  I go all out.   So I got up from my chair and ran and did like a wall-run-jump and forgot that I'm a little tall and smacked my head on the door frame.  I just heard a loud thud and was like,  "What was that?" and realized it was my skull playing "Bang-a-rang" by Skrillex on the wall haha.  I was like,  "Uh oh!" Then I felt my head and saw blood.   I was like,  "Flip!  I'm going to have to get stitches!  How embarrassing!"  But luckily we looked at it and it was just like a little scrapey scrape haha.   So don't worry, I'm fine but learned a lesson.  "Everything is fun and games until someone gets hurt...then it's hilarious," hahaha.

Les Amo

Elder Sweat

#UNIDAD (UNITY), ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM HOME, LA AMADO ZONA (THE BELOVED AREA or ZONE), MAYBE HE IS GOING TO GIVE US A WHIPPING OR SOMETHING, THE ATONEMENT

#UNIDAD (UNITY)

Elder Cancino and Elder Sweat.  #unidad

ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM HOME
Before I was transferred to Patzicia,  I was in Zaragoza and Tecpan.  It gets pretty cold here haha. 

It's (being called a Zone Leader) a big responsibility and I know that I'm going to learn a lot from it. 

My companion is awesome.  We get along really well so that's great.  We are on the search for more people that have the desire to listen to our message and want to change their lives through the doctrine of Jesus Christ. 

I need to work more on my Spanish.  It's always been a struggle for me but I have learned that I personally need to do hard things to see the results that God wants from me and for me.

LA AMADO ZONA (THE BELOVED AREA or ZONE)

MAYBE HE IS GOING TO GIVE US A WHIPPING OR SOMETHING

This week was a little slow cuz we had changes a day later and we had to run a couple of errands, but this next week we are going to find lots of people. Sunday we had a change of a Stake President.  So that was great cuz we got to listen to 2 representatives from the *Quorum of the Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talk.  It was great.  With Elder Cancino we were doing service outside a house when three men in suits passed by and then returned and I realized it was Pres. Alonzo from the Seventies with the ex-presidente de Estaca (Stake) and another Seventy from Guatemala. I was like, uh oh, haha maybe he is going to give us chicote (whipping) or something haha.  But he just greeted us and gave us and idea to put a sign out and say we are missionaries and we do service and would like to share a message with you and then he smiled and went on his way.  We just kind of stood there I asked my companion if he said it as a joke or serious and he was kind of like I think los dos (both) haha.  Cool experience. Something memorable that he said in the conference was that we shouldn't have a fear to be wealthy/rich.

THE ATONEMENT

The atonement is true and helps us change and feel happy in our lives. 

Love you all!!

Les Amo

Elder Sweat

"*Quorums of the Seventy

THERE ARE CURRENTLY EIGHT QUORUMS of the Seventy. Members of Quorums of the Seventy are often referred to simply as “Seventies.” Seventies are called to serve as special witnesses of Christ, proclaim the gospel, and build up the Church throughout the world. They work under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

General Authority Seventies serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, in Area Presidencies, and in other headquarters administrative functions. Under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, they travel frequently to meet with and teach Church leaders, missionaries, and members of the Church in local congregations.

General Authority Seventies have authority to serve anywhere in the world. Area Seventies' authority is generally limited to the area where they serve.

The Presidency of the Seventy is drawn from the General Authority Seventies and presides over all quorums of the Seventy."  Lds.org

January 18, 2017---Letter from President Markham, Elder Sweat has been called as a Zone Leader

January 18, 2017

Dear family of Elder Dietrich Bowman Sweat,

It is with appreciation that I inform you that Elder Sweat, has been called to serve as a Zone Leader in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central Mission.  This comes as a result of revelation from the Lord. He has demonstrated diligence, hard work, faith, love and has obtained the respect of the rest of the missionaries.

As a Zone Leader, I will work closely with him to motivate and influence the rest of the missionaries in his zone. At the same time, Elder Sweat will be expected to lead and exemplify every aspect of missionary work.

I appreciate having Elder Sweat as a servant of God here in the mission field. I truly know that he is a special son of God.

Yours faithfully,

Melvin G. Markham
Mission President

January 17, 2017---THE GIFT OF AGENCY, SAYING "ADIOS," CHANGES, CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTES

January 17, 2017

John Wayne haha

THE GIFT OF AGENCY
This week we had a little bit of difficulties, but it's all good.  The sister we were going to baptize this week didn't receive permission to get baptized, even though her parents are both recent converts to the church.  It was a little hard, but that's the gift of agency, right?

SAYING "ADIOS"
But I will still see them cuz I am in the same Stake haha.

  

CHANGES
We had changes and I'm changing lugares (places), but not very far haha.  I'm going to now be serving here in Patzicia with my new companion, Elder Cancino, from southern Mexico.  He's a pretty great guy.  I think we will get along great and we will have success here.  He's going to "die" this change so this is the second companion that I will be "killing" haha.  It will be interesting.  I know my changes for the next time cuz I'm staying cuz he goes home haha. 

CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTES
I'm learning a lot and enjoying the mission. The key is to have good studies and be focused on the mission haha.  In Juan 15 it says that the branches that don't bring forth fruit will be cut off and burned haha.  So we all have to work on helping others haha.  I strive to be better everyday and have Christlike attributes. 

Love all y'all a bunch.

Les Amo

Elder Sweat