December 25, 2013

Hello Fam!! 

Being out here in Guatemala during Christmas is indescribable. It’s a true blessing.  Let’s take some time to remember what this time of year is about: being with our families and remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. He came into this world with the mission to give Himself for us. He suffered our pains and our afflictions. He carried His own cross and then hanged from it for six excruciating hours before He passed on. And the most miraculous of all—on the third day He rose from the dead. He conquered death and now every single one of us will do the same. He is our Savior; He is our Redeemer. Because of Jesus Christ we can be saved!

I know that Jesus is my Savior.

Thanks for all the support you show me. I really have the best family in the world. Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Love,

Elder Mitchell Jason Rucker

December 10, 2013

HEY FAM!!

Looks and sounds like winter is in full swing back home. Last week it was cold here. It was about 45 degrees or so with the knarly wind that was blowin. I can’t remember what it feels like to be in the negatives. 

On Sunday we had four baptisms! We have been teachin the Familia Rojche now for about 2 months. We really had to work hard with them. They are from a little town called Chacaya and hardly speak Spanish. We worked a lot with members of the ward that speak Katchiquel so that they could explain the doctrine to them in their native language. Baptizing is always a special experience. It’s the thing that brings God’s children unto Him. 

The time is cruisin by. We just had transfers. However, I don’t have changes and neither does my comp. So we will be together for another six weeks. Good thing he and I get along really well. I’m glad I have more time to work in this area. We have a good relationship with the members and I really know the area. Now I’ll be able to get to know even more people here in this awesome area!

Well, try not to get too cold back home. 

I love you all and can’t ever thank you enough for all you do!

KEEP THE FAITH

Elder Rucker

December 3, 2013

HEY FAM!!

I can’t believe how time is flyin by!!!!

Last Saturday I completed 18 months. We bought pizza to celebrate.

Thanksgiving also went real well. I invited my comp and two investigators to lunch. We ate at a pretty nice restaurant. I got steak. It was really good. Not quite like a Thanksgiving dinner back home but it was nice to be able to sit and talk and give thanks for all the blessings I have received. I have seen a big change in my life and I thank my Heavenly Father for the change He has helped me have.

I wrote anther short email but know that I’m lovin’ every minute and I’m workin’ like crazy. My time is ending and I have to give it all I got.

I love you all and have a great week!!!

Love Elder Rucker

I love you mom!!

November 26, 2013

Hello FAM!!

This week went really well. At the first of the month President Brough’s counselor asked me to give a talk in the adult session of our District Conference. I got all prepared and everything. I talked about how the members can better help the missionaries in the work of the Lord.  Remember—I got all prepared. Saturday was the conference. We showed up and took our seats. I was going to use a Liahona so I pulled it out of my backpack and my notes. The conference started and I was announced as the first speaker. No big deal—I was prepared. I had everything planned out. I had marked everything nicely in the Liahona and in my scriptures so it would go nice and smooth. After the prayer and announcements, I got up and started walkin to the stand. As I was walking towards the stand I realized I had forgotten my scriptures!!! It totally spaced my mind. By the time I remembered I was too far away to go back and get them. I just kept walkin. Luckily one of the guys on the stand had his scriptures out and I asked him if I could borrow his. I started my talk with a joke about leavin my scriptures. Everyone had a good laugh. I talked for almost 15 minutes. I had never given a talk for that long before. Now I feel a lot more comfortable with giving talks. But next time I’m goin to take my scriptures out of my backpack!!

At this time of the year, I just want to thank you for all you do. I really have the world’s best family and friends. I really don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you so much. I’m also so thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ and what He did for everyone of us. And for the chance that He gives us to be clean of our sins and return to His Glory!

I love you all and have a great Thanksgiving!!

Love Elder Rucker

ps I’m pretty positive I will be coming home on May 29. This is weird but here in a month or so they will send you all my return info. What day, time, and airplane information. Time is flyin by!!

pps My camera died. So I bought a new one. It takes nice pictures :)

 

 

November 19, 2012

HEY FAM!!

After I left the internet place last week,  I said a little prayer and had a feelin come over me. I felt like all was gonna be fine and that it was just some wrong info.  After that I felt awesome. I was able to work like crazy the whole week.  It was a good lesson and I was able to learn a lot.

We talked to one of the oldest ladies here in our branch and she doesn't speak much Spanish. She told us a little story.  The moral of her story was that God gives us challenges so that we remember Him. Those challenges show the great love He has for all His children. If he didn't give us these challenges we would forget and would not be able to enter into His Kingdom but with the challenges we are humbled and go to Him for help. He is always there to help so that one day we are let into His Rest.

Thanksgiving is gettin close. Let's all think of the things we are the most thankful for and thank our  Heavenly Father!!
I love you all!

November 12, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad- 

I wanted to take the time to thank you two for never giving up on me. Being here on the mission has had a big impact on my life. I have gained firm faith in Christ and I know that everything is possible with Him. I know that the challenges we have in this life will only make us stronger. I have learned to look at life in an eternal perspective. With that—it gives me peace of mind.

I feel my mission has been pretty easy goin but I have learned a lot. God prepared me to take on these challenges now, in this part of my mission, and I’m sure there will be more to come. He has given me the strength and desire to keep goin. To go out and help His Children come unto Him. 

I know Christ came into this world and suffered and died for our sins. His atonement is big enough for all, even for a kid like me. Now I have to keep helpin the people of Guatemala and my most cherished ones—come and know of the Greatness of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

I love you mom and dad!!

There ain’t nothin worth doin that is easy! I’m ready to take the challenge!

Elder Rucker

November 5, 2013

Well... I had changes this last week. I'm still in the same area but I have a new companion. Elder Silva from Mexico. He is way cool. We are getting along real well. He very well could turn out to be one of my favorite comps. 

I really am sorry for such a short email. I took the time to write to a friend.  Being on the mission has opened up my mind to a whole different perspective and I feel the spirit guiding me in what I do. 

I feel the prayers you guys do for me and am so very thankfull for that.

Thanks for all you do and support!!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

Here are some pics from my zone. 

The one with the food is a native food here called Fihambre. Mom you would not like it. It's full of different meat. Dad you would really enjoy it.

October 29, 2013

Hey FAM!!

Well this week I have quite a story.

First, our Zone is very big. On Saturday we had two baptism interviews on two different ends of the Zone. We did divicions with some elders so we could get them done. I went with an Elder to Patzicia to do the interviews. We get there and found out the lady and her daughter left to run an errand.  They were not going to be back until 630 that night. We decided to wait because she said she would be there. We went out and worked until that time. But she never showed up. Now it was too late to get on a bus to head back to our área. So we called the old couple missionaries to pick us up. They cruised down and picked us up.

On the way back the fog came in real thick.  We could hardly see. Elder Tanner (señor misionary) was drivin back and accidently crossed into a turn lane that wasn’t very long. Bam! We smashed into the curb! Don’t worry—no one got hurt! (We weren’t goin very fast) But the oil pan got a big ol’ hole in it and we blew two tires. We pulled over and shut it off before any more damage was done.

I called President Brough and let him know what had happened. Then I called the Branch Pres. 12:00 Sunday morning we made it back to the house!! What a long baptism interview! All I can say is that I’m so thankful and lucky to have my buddies and family who would come and get me if I ever had a break down!

Adventures on the misión!!

Tomorrow I’ll be gettin’ a new comp. We have already blown through another change!

Hope you all have a great week!!

With much love

Elder Rucker!!

 
p.s. This is a picture of Mitchell with Jayden’s companion’s family in Guatemala. Jade is serving in Colombia.  It’s a small world when two brothers from Utah can have contact with the same family in two different countries in South America.

October 22, 2013

Hello FAM!!

 

This last week we have be workin with another family who was baptized about four months ago.

Over the last few months the vision of the dad has all but left him. He is only about 30 years old, but from some accidents he had, when he was younger, his vision has gone bad. 

He has a lot of faith. After he received the priesthood he started listening to the sacrament prayer on tape. He listened to the verses over and over again until he memorized them word for word. Now that he knows the prayer he prepares and blesses the sacrament just about every Sunday! 

With his bad vision he cant work a lot, but it amazes me at the little things he makes out of wood without seein. He makes little chairs and such all by hand, literally. He uses his hands like another set of eyes. He measures, cuts, and nails together these little chairs all without his vision. Then they take them to the market and sell them.  With these little chairs and other things his wife makes, they are able to make a living. And they are happy!   Sometimes he express to us a little bit of fear because of his vision loss but he always remembers that he has found Christ and His true church and no longer has to fear. The whole family is so awesome!!

 

I love bein in this area. I have been learnin amazing things that are preparin me for my life ahead. 

These people live in humble situations but they never lose faith and they never stop workin hard. 

Two very important things to have in life, Faith and good ol hard work!

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Rucker

 

p.s. It really is a gift that God has blessed me with. I can't thank Him enough.

p.p.s. The time is goin by too fast!!!!

October 15, 2013

HELLO FAM!!
This week we had a miracle happen. Last month a lady was baptized. Her husband was already a member... or so he thought. We got a call from the office telling us that her husband had no record of being baptized. He had thought he was baptized when he was about 8 with all his family, but he never was. He was excited when we told him the news. He looked at it as a second chance from God. He was baptized Saturday into the true Church of Christ.

The weather is awesome right now. It's not hot and it hasn't been rainin. This is an great area!!

Sorry for the other short letter. Next week I promise I will right a better one!

I love you all and am so thankful for all you do!!

 

p.s. Hey- I got the shoes. They look great on my comp's feet. I decided to give them to him because he only had one pair of shoes and they were all but dead. My shoes will be fine for another 7 months.
That was the only package that was there. I talked to the missionaries who picked up the package and they said that was all that was left.

 

p.p.s. I was able to save the testimony. I bought a hard drive down here and have everything saved there. When I get back we will have a day and go through all my pictures! I can't use Drop Box. I can only use the email website.

p.p.p.s. I wrote another letter and sent it to the house. Its for Chris, Tina's son. Please get that to him. Thanks mom.

 

p.p.p.p.s. Alright for a Christmas package. I don't want anything big because I want to leave some stuff for a future missionary. I want to wait on for a couple more months before you send that stuff. So-- maybe just some little treats and little things to give away. Nothing too big.

Love
Elder Rucker!!

October 1, 2013

Hello Fam!!!

This week I have a couple stories. 

So we have an investigator who is about 80 years old. He is named Eustaquio.  He is a native of Solola and speaks Spanish as a second language.  He has made the decision to be baptized this Saturday!  This last week we had a lesson in his house with another investigator. (Eustaquio is a well know person in this town.)  The investigator doesn't speak Spanish very well. We talked about the Restoration with him and explained about Joseph Smith. He understood most of what we talked about but we could tell it wasn't all clear because of  the language. Then Eustaquio asked if he could explain it to him in Katchikel. He not only explained about Joseph Smith but he also started explaining about the Book of Mormon! I only understood about three words and that was because he said those words in Spanish.  It was awesome!!!  Last night when we  visited him he asked if he could give his testimony after his baptism! This man wants to share his testimony with everyone!! Its great!

 

Another short story. Last week I was in a town called Panajachel on Diviciones. My comp and I were headed back to the house. I could see a drunk feller comin towards us but I didn't put any attention to him. Thnn right as we passed each other---BAM! he punches me right in the chest. But don't worry it didn't do me any harm. I just gave him a little shove and we kept walkin. Crazy drunk dudes. 

 

Well that was my week. I'm lovin it here in Solola!

 

p.s. I sent off a package of letters yesterday. It should be there in about two weeks. There is a letter in there for all who wrote me. If you could give them out I would be very grateful!! 

 

pps I have thought about you guys comin down to get me. And I just want to return. 

ppps. Dont worry if the letters are short. I love readin them either way!!

Con mucho amor!!

ELDER RUCKER

Note from Jason and Jill
ps--Check out this video. If you are like me, you won't understand anything but you can experience a little of Mitchell's environment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_ST2ujrvI

September 24, 2013

Hello FAM!!

 

This is gonna be a short letter. I had a whole bunch of emails today to read and that took most my time. But I'm in a new area now called Sololá with a new comp. My comp is elder David Vallejos from Quito, Ecuador. He is my third comp from Ecuador. The area is super awesome. It is full of indigenous people that hardly speak Spanish. Their native language is called Katchíkel. I want to try to learn it. Its nothin similar to Spanish but they say it's easier for the Americans to learn it because of how we talk. I'm gonna give it a try. The temperature has changed a little too. Now I'm in 55-60 degree weather instead of 100+! And from what I have heard these next months is when it starts gettin colder!

Well sorry for the short letter!

Next week I'll have a better one.

 

Thanks for all you guys do and for always writing me!!

I LOVE YOU!!

 

KEEP THE FAITH 

ELDER RUCKER

 

 

September 17, 2013

I have started The Book of Mormon from the start again, but this time I'm reading it in English. My whole mission I have only studied in Spanish, but I decided to see how it was in my own language. It is so much better!!! Spanish is awesome but I understand English so much better. I have been marking how many times it mentions some form of the name of Christ.  I don't have an exact number but it says it a lot. We don't learn the name of Christ until 2 Nephi 10. But it makes reference to it in a bunch of different ways. 

The Book of Mormon is so awesome! One of the coolest scriptures I've found so far is 2 Nephi  9:41. Here we learn Christ himself will be waiting for us at the gate.  He will be the one that says yes or no. That made me think, I don't want to hear ´´NO´´ from Christ! That would just not be good. That's why I'm gonna work hard all my life so that when that day comes I can hear the words "YES!" And I hope all you too can have this same desire!

 

I know that Christ lives and He is the only way we will be saved.  

 

I love bein out on the mission. I have changes again and I'll be going to a new area of Guatemala. I'll be sure to let you know where I'm at.

 

Thanks for everything!!

 

YEEEHAAWW I LOVE THE MISSION!!

September 10, 2013

Hello to all who read this letter!

 

Well this was another fantastic week here in Prados. This week I'm goin to tell you an awesome experience that happened.

 

For about the last two months we have been teaching a feller named Marvin. His girlfriend, who is a member, introduced him to the Church. For this last weeks we have been teachin him the Doctrine of Christ and helpin him have a testimony of The Book of Mormon and Christ's True Church. He lives in our area and came to our ward a few times but didn't feel as comfortable. The ward has about 300 members that come every week and that makes it a big ward. The girlfriend lives in another ward that is smaller and more friendly so he and his girlfriend go to that one. Even though he doesn't come to our building for church we would set it up with him and teach him during the week. That's what we have been doin for the last two months.  Last night he sent us a text telling us he has made decision to be baptized! The only bummer is that he is going to be baptized in the ward of his girlfriend and this ward is part of another mission. I called him last night and we talked a little bit. He was very thankful for all the things we had taught him.  He also said it was with our help and with the power of God that he came to know of the veracidad of the Church and of the Book of Mormon. Even though he is going to be baptized in the other ward I'm so thankful  I could be a part of helping another one of God's sons come unto Him. Just hearin him say that he knows the Church is true and the same about the Book of Mormon was an awesome experience. 

 

The mission is magnificent!

And here is a quick funny story. We were trackin the other day and a drunk guy started to bug us so we stopped knockin doors and headed for another area. Then the drunk dude started to chase us! I looked and my comp then we two put it in high gear and ran. We ran till we lost him then went back to preachin the word of God!!

I love this work and hope all is well back home!!

With much love 

Elder Rucker

September 3, 2013

HEY FAM!!

Here in my area I baptized a guy that has about 65 years. Super awesome. He was one that didn't want much at the start but once he started reading in the Book of Mormon he changed. We baptized him a month or so ago and he has been to church every week since then. Now its got to the point where he shows up in a suit and tie. When he first started he would just come in a normal shirt! He is awesome.

This last week his daughter has been tryin to get him to leave the church by givin him a bunch of garbage about the church that she finds on the internet. I had to take a stack of papers from him that his daughter had given to him. I told him I was goin to ´study it´. Don't worry I destroyed them. The good thing is that he doesn't move from his testimony!

After we finished talkin with him, we left to our next lesson. The whole way there I was tellin everybody that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored Christ's Church.

I know that this is the only true church of Jesus Christ. I know it because I have studied the scriptures and prayed. I not only know that this is the true church, but also I have gained a personal testimony of my savior Jesus Christ.  I know that He died for my sins. For Him I can repent and receive of forgiveness of my sins. I have felt the Atonement of Christ in my life. For Him I will have a life after this one. A life full of happiness with my family and best friends. I know because I have studied and I have asked my Heavenly Father in a prayer. Nothing will change that.

I invite you guys to do the same. Study  the scriptures, pray, and you too will be able to strengthen your own testimony!

I LOVE YOU!!

p.s. My release date changed again. I'm not for sure but I'm thinkin the 29 of May I'll be home

p.ps. your not kiddin--only 8 more fast Sundays... the time goes so fast!!

New Mission Call

July 5, 2013

 

Family of Mitchell Jason Rucker,                                                                       

  

Dear Family:

 

With great pleasure we inform you that your son, Elder Mitchell Rucker, has been newly assigned to serve in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central Mission. The Lord is hastening his work, and more missionaries are entering the mission field than ever before. As a result, a sixth mission will be opened in Guatemala: the Guatemala Coban Mission. To accommodate this inspired and prophetic change, the mission boundaries of four of the five existing missions in Guatemala are changing. Due to that adjustment, your son´s assignment to labor in the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission has been changed to the Guatemala City Central Mission. We rejoice in the fact that no matter what part of the vineyard we have been assigned to serve in, it is still the same great work. Please enjoy this photograph of Elder Rucker, whom we had the joy of welcoming into our mission on July 1^st, 2013.

 

 

Sister Brough and I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to work with your son in bringing about the gathering of Israel. We are pleased that Elder Rucker has served the Lord so faithfully thus far in his mission and look forward to getting to know him better as we labor together in the Lord´s work. We recognize the sacrifice he has made to serve the Lord and are committed to doing everything we can to help him accomplish his Missionary Purpose. We offer our personal gratitude for supporting your son’s service. Know that your son is now a part of our family now.

 

Yours Faithfully,

 

 

M. Joseph Brough

President

 

Elder Rucker's 1st Post

August 13, 2013

 

The great news:
I saw a huge miracle this week. We are teaching a family who was found awhile back by some other elders. The wife and kids have visited a few times but the husband never has wanted to come. We have had a few family home evenings  with the Familia Noriega (this is a family that helps out a lot in the mission work), but the husband still hadn't shown much interest in coming to church. The last FHE we had just with the Familia Noriega and Leslie (the wife, the hubby Henry didn't want to come). We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how she needed to read it and be the example to her husband. We knew that her reading and praying would be key to her husband having the desire to go to church.  It was super cool because she also told us she had received an answer that The Book of Mormon and Church is all true.
We stopped by the next day to check to see if she had been reading. Henry was ¨busy workin¨ and couldn't come listen. But she said she had been readin and also that she was prayin.
On Sunday when I called to see if they were on there way to church she told me they were and that she had a surprise for us. It turns out it wasn't a surprise but a MIRACLE. Henry came to church for the first time with his family this last Sunday. The Book of Mormon has power and so does prayer!

Well this was my miracle of the week that I wanted to share with you guys.

Don't forget to read a few pages from The Book of Mormon today!!

I love you all so much!!

Keep the FAITH!

Elder Rucker

August 27, 2013

This week I gave a talk in sacrament meeting. They gave us a lot of time to prepare... They told us Saturday night that we would be giving talks the next day on missionary work. Good thing as missionaries we can do stuff on the fly. Cause that's what we had to do. All I did was look up some scriptures on Sunday morning and a quote from President John Taylor.
My talk went super good. Turns out the sister missionaries that are in our ward also gave talks. So by the time it got to me and my comp we only could talk for five minutes each. I use to think five minutes was a long time to give a talk, but now that ive given a few talks here, five minutes goes by way to fast! Now I enjoy giving talks in front of people.

We had a really cool lesson with a lady we found. A member gave us the reference. Years ago she was coming to church with a friend but stopped going and never got baptized. We didn't really have to teach much because she remembered most everything. It was a super cool lesson. She told us right there that she already knows this is the true church!! We're going to keep working  with her and hopefully she can make the decision this time to be baptized into the true Church of Christ!!

Its going awesome with my comp and the area. We have gotten pretty soaked a few times but its part of the work! I'm lovin' it!!

KEEP THE FAITH!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Rucker