Week 40 - Atacames - It's Gonna Be May

Those of you that were near me this last April/May will understand this joke. If not, I will send a link down below. 

This week has been an amazing week of many miracles. To put some short, one of our investigators can finally progress towards a baptismal date, we have seen many of the beauties of the Earth as we walk on the beach (from and to appointments of course), and all the amazing lessons we have had as we try to focus on blessings specific for people.

We also had some, interesting moments. The first happened this last Friday. We were sitting, studying and cooking that night, when we saw lights turn off in Atacames, then our street, then our house, then our fans, then our cooking unit (yes, not all at once). Everything was in complete darkness. We later heard that Esmeraldes was as well. We decided to go out on our balcony and look at the lightning that was coming towards us, as did many of our neighbors. I guess lightning isn't that common here, or in Peru as my companion has told me. It was actually kind of cool and my companion and I agreed we want it to happen again. 

The other interesting is when I was attacked by a bear. And it sounds cooler if I say bear but it was just a dog. There are no bears here. We were going to one of the houses we eat lunch at and this dog started barking at us. Here is where it turns funny. It was very aggressive and was starting to get closer to me. I tried to back up but ran into a pile of dirt and slipped onto my back as the dog jumped onto my leg. Other than a heart beating fast, nothing really happened. The sister that was there felt really sorry, but I informed her I thought it was funny. One of the sons, who didn't see anything, asked why I was dirty on my back. I can't help but laugh at just how funny everything turned out. 

I have started teaching an English class here in Atacames (with the hope to find more people to teach lessons, and baptize). It started out, okay. My english is no very good ;). That's what happens when someone speaks a different language for a lot of time (9 months and five days to be exact, but who's counting?). 

We had a special conference as the North West area of South America. We heard some people speak in spanish that I don't think we will ever hear speak spanish again (however Elder Ballard was translated). It Something that I liked is that Elder Ballard challenged everyone to read 3 Nephi (the entire book) and see just how many times it mentions minister or "one by one". I hope that you and I can join as we read and study the passages.

We saw a turtle as well. That was cool. 

I hope all are well and all of you are reading the Book of Mormon every day. I know that they focused on that as well during the conference. I liked how one sister said "When we think of the Book of Mormon, we should think of power" I have seen the power of the Book of Mormon as we have invited people to read it and to receive the blessings that come from it. I know that the Book or Mormon really does have power. Love you all!

p.s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMlWwIXg3M  (It's Gonna Be Me- NSYNC)

 

Me, in a cave

A really cool picture

For those that think I am "tan"                                  We couldn't climb it.

 Finding the Nephite plates of the people here in Atacames

Another really cool picture

I try to be funny sometimes as well.

Week 39 - Atacames - Wow; Esta Muy Bonita

This week we got to explore a little bit more of our sector and the coast. I have to say, we live in a very beautiful area. We were out trying to see if there were houses nearby that we could knock on and I realized just how green everything was. Not only was everything green but all the flowers were beautiful and everything was so peaceful. It is like a tropical paradise! I'm sure that helps you not feel even more jealous :)

  Since we are literally on the coast, the majority of places have hotels. Well, that makes it difficult to knock on houses when there aren't that many (but I have thought many a time of the talk by Elder Uchtdorf "Fourth Floor, Last Door"). There is actually a street that leads to the grand Diamond Hotel which is five huge buildings that look really nice. For our P-Day, we played football on the beach right in front of these hotels. It is very nice. 

This week I also have interchanges with our district leader. I know it is really nice to have a latino companion, but it is awesome to have a gringo companion as well. We spent most of the time talking about food, but what more could you expect from two Mormon boys. We did have some fun as well. Since many people like to ask for money, or rob you, some of the kids have learned how to as well. We were out contacting when this little kid (of maybe 10 years) called out to us that we should give him ten cents. My gringo companion, Elder McKinnon, then replied "Me parezco Banco Pichincha" (Banco Pichincha is one of the biggest banks we have. It is named after a huge mountain, I think). The best part wasn't that two gringos outschooled a latino in Spanish, it was that his friend and some random guy passing by started laughing as well. We both looked at each other and started laughing as well. 

Well I hope that all of you have a good week. I can't believe how fast time is flying. It is crazy that soon we will be in May. 

Just some days on the beach.

My pineapple ice cream

Me and my companion at the beach

Our river

Our lizard friend. They are everywhere

Week 38 - Atacames - Dos Semana Carta :D

Lo siento muchísimo. This last week we had only thirty minutes to write, because we were late getting to the cyber. For that many of you did not receive a letter for this last week. My apologies. But, I am alive and am doing well. So this will be a much longer letter. Prepare yourself.

We had another baptism here! We helped Nixon Arce to make this important and sacred covenant with God. I had the great privilegde to baptize him. It was an interesting baptism. Due to the season that we are in, there isn't that much water that comes into the houses, or church buildings. Our Zone Leaders got there early to start filling up the font. However, after an hour and a half, there was barely enough water to cover the bottom. After fiddling with some more things, climbing onto the roof, and pushing buttons, we finally got the baptismal font filled up. I also had the honor of confirming Nixon a member and giving him the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was my first time I have ever given a confirmation, and honestly wasn't expecting it. It was a neat experience filling the Holy Ghost fill into my spirit and tell me what I needed to bless Nixon with. And yes, I followed the counsel of Pres. Nelson and blessed Nixon in the way priesthood holders should. Just incase anyone was wondering.

We also had a service the morning before the baptism. It was so awesome helping out the members with their project. We even got to play a little fútbol. However, if one looses monkey-in-the-middle, one has to dance. Due to rules of the mission, I informed them I would not be dancing. Guess I'll just be "forced" to come back to the coast.

Many people are very receptive here. We have been able to find many new people here with a lot of potential. But, of course, being obedient helps with that immensly. I know I have seen the blessings of when we are obedient and the consequences when we are not. That is one thing our mission wants to focus in from now on, being exactly obedient in the small things. Some small, but in reality major, things and praying and reading scriptures every day. If you aren't doing it, do it. That is when we invite revelation into our lives and can help better our families, wards, and communities. 

I had two experiences I want to share with you, one awesome and the other...well interesting. The first was during an appointment we had. The investigator we were with lives right next to the beach and, without a man older than 18, we teach outside. As we were teaching, our investigator looked out into the sea and exclaimed with enthusiams, Look! We looked and saw a dolphin (Nephi reference Chapters 11-19). It then appeared and disappeared again into the sea. It was a very cool thing to see, especially so close to us. The other was during our interviews with President Murphy. I don't know why, but he likes me to go first. I had gotten done when the Sister missionaries arrived. President had told us that the Sisters would need help bringing a microwave into their house. Since I was that first one to start, and finish, my interview, I would be the one to do it; during my companion's interview. It was the first, and probably the last, time I was alone with the Sister missionaries. We had President's permission, but I still felt pretty weird about it all. 

I hope you all have a great, safe week! If any of you are listening to the news of Ecuador, there are some crazy things going on. But, we are very safe here and I know that we are protected by the Lord. Love you all!

--Elder Ogden--

p.s. If you haven't been looking at the news of Ecuador, this isn't an invitation to start. It was just a help. :)

---No pictures this week. The computer wants to delete them all. Maybe next week!---

Week 37 - Atacames - Zone Conference

We did not receive an email this week, but pulled some pictures off of Facebook from zone conference that President Murphy posted that we thought you might like:

Week 36 - Atacames - Are We There?

Hello everybody! I hope you all had an excellent Easter and General Conference weekend.

I think I had the same reaction as many people have writtten to me. Wow. Just, wow. What a great time we live in! We are literally in the last days. I hope all of you could feel and see that. How I do love the Gospel and the way it can bless people. And I sure do love our prophet, Pres. Russell M. Nelson. I know he will never guide us in the wrong path. For the reason, we can truly see he is hastening His work. The second coming is even closer at hand. I hope and pray that we all might prepare, as the purpose of Ministring, to meet God. 

Everything has been great here. My companion, Elder Garces, got changed and is now in Ipiales, Colombia (part of our mission). It was very unexpected, but I'm grateful for the lessons I learned from him. I received Elder Sangay (San-guy). He is from Peru and just came our of his first twelve weeks. It will be another companion just out of his training, but it is usually them who have good, and new, ideas.

Love you all! Sorry that there won't be pictures, I don't have much time for the reason of waiting for my companion to get here. Take care!

--Elder Ogden--

(I had asked Stanley if it makes him homesick to hear about the family going-on's and if he would rather hear mostly spiritual uplifting messages instead.  I also told him how much I loved General Conference and my emotional, tender feelings during the solemn assembly as well as attending the Jordan River Temple Open House.  This is his response:)

There certainly was a special feeling as all the members, around the world, stood, looked at our prophet, and put our arm to the square as a physical representation of our love and devotion to his teachings. How I love the character he brings and the joy and excitement he has shown to advance the work here. The temple looks beautiful. We watched the World Report and got to see some videos on the inside. It looks amazing. I'm so excited for the new temples that were announced, and yes, even the new one in Utah. I loved that statement from Elder Renlund as well. 

As for your question. I'm sure it is different for every missionary, but I do enjoy hearing what everyone is doing. In a way, I feel that I'm not really missing out on anything because I am still connected to the family. I know my companion before was a little too focused on his life before the mission. However, I have an amazing family and amazing friends who helped me to focus on my mission, before my mission. I know that stood out to me more than anything this last change. I would love to receive more spiritual guidance from my mother and receive news of my siblings as well. Whichever is easiest for you!

Love you!

--Elder Ogden--

Week 35 - Atacames - El Espíritu de Confianza

This week we discovered more of Atacames/Tonsupa and met more people which has been great! We were out walking, trying to find houses in the middle of hotels, when we came to a path that was blocked off by a canal. We decided that we would walk to the beach and cross over that way rather than walking all the way back to the main road. However, upon our arrival to the beach, we realized that crossing by way of the beach would be harder than just crossing the canal. I've never see this before. There was an opening on the beach into which the ocean flowed into this canal. The canal was also heading towards the ocean. It was a very cool and interesting thing to see. Maybe I just needed to get out more before my mission.

I had the opportunity to play guitar! We came to an appointment we set up when the husband walked out. We hadn't actually met him, but we told him we talked to his wife and she said we could pass by at this time. He gladly welcomed us in. As we entered, I saw about four guitars that were hanging from the ceiling. We asked if he played and he said he was learning. He asked if we could play and my companion informed him that I could. He then passed it to me to play. I just strummed a little bit and handed it back to him. It was nice to play again. I'll have to learn some songs so that we can use it to invite the spirit just before a lesson. 

We also had something truly remarkable happen. We were out and about, contacting, and we must have had a spirit about us. With almost every contact, our new investigators shared some very personal events going on in their lives and asked for our help. We went to the best place to find comfort, the scriptures. It was really interesting and my companion and I talked about it as we walked from door to door. It was really nice to see that we are bringing something more to them that they may not have had before. But, more importantly, that they had enough confidence in us to a) tell us somethings personal and b) ask us for help. It was truly amazing and I hope we can continue to bring that into the lives of others. 

I love you all! I hope that during La Semana Santa, you can read and study about the last week of the Savior's life as we prepare to listen to a prophets voice. I find much comfort in Matt. 28:6. That is my testimony to all of you. Take good care this week!

--Elder Ogden--

Me and my companion with new ties from Christmas (yes, three months after)

Our invitation to you: Attend General Conference!