Week 24 - Cotacachi - Interesting Week to say the Least

It has been a crazy week as we heard that my companion is going to Quito as a district leader and training and I am also heading to Quito to be an assistant to the President. At least, that's how we know that we don't have changes. I'll be in Cotacachi for another six weeks. 

This week has had its ups and downs, like life, but we are continually striving to do the things that we need to. We were also very saddened to hear of the passing of our Beloved Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I will certainly miss his teachings, and especially the way he was able to relate stories to the Gospel. However, I am happy to know of the plan God has for all of his children, and for the opportunity President Monson has to be with his wife once again. I am also excited to hear, follow, and sustain a new prophet of God that we can equally learn from and be guided by. 

We met two different families this week that asked us when the soonest date they could be baptized is. It was honestly such a relief to have after a hard couple of days of not finding anybody. We are coninuing to work on building a testimony, because that is where our conversion with the Lord comes from. 

I have also learned a valuable lesson these last six weeks as we have struggled and succeeded. Members are important. Member know people that we don't know. They have been able to help us find and teach new people and help people want to listen to our message. I feel I talk about this every Monday, but missionaries need you. The work will go a lot better if members and missionaries are working together to help bring the happiness of the Gospel to everyone we meet.

I hope everyone is keeping up on their goals for this new year. I know I fell short a few times this week, but we can change if we endure to the end! Love you all!

--Elder Ogden--

In response to asking about the ward Stanley attends, this is what he sent me:

Our ward, especially ward area, is very large. We have Cotacachi, Quiroga (a neighboring city that is basically part of Cotacachi), and all the surrounding communities that are on the Cotacachi volcano. Because it is such a large area, we only have one ward in our area. The majority of our ward are indiginous. Very few latins. From this, we hears as much Quichua (the native language) than Spanish. There are all sorts of ages as well in our ward. We do have two young men that are preparing to go on a mission that we have come and help us out. One of them has already gotten his mission call to Bolivia. Weird how long ago that feels it has been for me. We, as missionaries, actually teach a Gospels Principle class for all of our investigators. So, we only attend priesthood, which has started this new Come, Follow Me program.