Week 55 - Ibarra - Sandillas

This week had really high ups and really low downs personally and in the missionary work. But, we were able to see many small miracles to having a father listen to us for the first time after not wanting to listen, to seeing the testimony of the people we are teaching grow. I certainly do love this work and love the Gospel that we are a part of!

This week we had a missionary work activity which was SUMMER GAMES! I know many of you have already returned to school, but you can't tell the difference here :D. We started by having a water balloon tossing contest with towels (which did not turn into a water balloon fight thankfully), having a competition to see who could find the most clues (that included a consequence, getting wet; depending on what you paper said depended how wet), and ending with volleyball. It was a really fun activity and it seems like many members enjoyed it! Just sharing a little American culture around the world. 

We have some very awesome people that we are teaching and seeing the fruits of our hard work that we have put in. We are starting to see a lot of people progress and realize the importance (and the majority of the time, effects) that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring. We were teaching one family that are not married about the importance of keeping the Law of Chastity. The sister we were teaching pointed out, in the pamphlet we gave her, that it says the blessings we can have can be ours if we act now. That part, now, stuck out to me. God needs our talents, our abilities, and our gifts that He has given us. But we don't know when He needs them, so we need to do what is right NOW so that we will be ready. I have certainly tried (and failed sometimes) doing my best to be ready in the hour God needs me to be ready. We know that we are closer to the coming of the Savior so we need to act now. If we fail, we can remember the conference talk "Seventy time Seven" from this last conference, "Success is failing and failing without the loss of enthusiasm". So, let's keep going. Marching forward. So as to see our Heavenly Father's face once again.

Love you all and have a great week! 

Just carrying a large bag of watermelon. No biggy

Yes. There is still the spirit of a little kid in me. 

A parade because everyone was so excited to go back to school, I think

Week 54 - Ibarra - Viajes, Cansadísimo, Personas

Hello all you lovely people. I feel like it has been a while since I have sent anything, so here is another two week email.

First off, my new companion. My new companion is Elder Leighner from Chicago, IL. He was stuck in the States (Washington D.C. South Mission) due to visa problems and is happy to be here now. He equally loves Star Wars as I do and has not (and WILL NOT) reveal any truths behind the eighth movie. Nor should you. His Spanish is actually really good and it seems that it grows drastically every day we are proselyting. Of course, he understands better than he talks (which is normal) and so now we are working on pronunciation. 

Two weeks ago, I had a lot of travels. Monday and half of Tuesday was traveling back and forth from one part of the city (another sector called San Miguel) to our sector, and back again. Tuesday evening, the elder I was with and I went to Quito to split off and sleep at another Elder's house to receive our companions the next day. We then woke up early Wednesday morning and traveled to the center of Quito, where we received our trainees and then...headed back to our sector. Thursday, normal. Friday in the morning I was headed back to Quito for a District Leader training. We came back the same day. Friday, somewhat normal. Saturday we had to travel to the stake center for our Zone Leadership Council and came back midday. Let me just say, the lack of sleep and jet lag are real. I'm still recovering a little bit. For those of you that have to travel for work, I know your pain. Well, maybe a little bit more. 

For this week, we found a hidden community that if someone had not drawn for us a map we would've never known it existed. We also had companion exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I went with Elder Harris (from PG, UT and from my group) which was a blast and I feel we both learned a lot from each other. We then had a Zone Conference which was spectacular and super long (it took up almost the entire day; 11 hours outside of my sector that day). We both are hoping and praying for just a "normal" week this week before my companion has first verifications. But, it isn't looking very good. 

I want to talk a little enduring to the end. As we read in D&C 76, only those that are faithful to the end with receive the Celestial Kingdom. Enduring to the end is key. In my Book of Mormon studies I am at the part when Jesus Christ has just come to the American continent. However, it wasn't a good time before that. The earth had completely changed form. Cities were burned, others sunk into the sea, and others buried by mountains. All of this destruction from one key idea, enduring to the end. We read before all of that that Nephi (the son of Nephi, who was a decendant of Nephi who had left Jerusalem with him family Nephi) tried to help out the people. Their struggle was, belief, fall even farther away, return to God, fall into the depths of despair. They couldn't endure and because of that many of them (until the time of Jesus. Eventually all of them) perished and died. It is vital for all of us to continue, as President Nelson has always said, on the covenant path. In the end, it is the easiest path to follow. So, keep following it!

Thank you all so much for your emails. I love reading, and usually write back, to all of them. Love you all so much and have a great week!

I present, my only son (Brave reference)

New Zone Shirt

Playing chess. hint, I lost pretty bad

Week 53 - Ibarra - Craziness

So crazy thing happened, they started welding right in the middle as we were writing and the computers would turn on and off. So, I will write more about what happened this week, next week. Love you all! 

--With that short of an e-mail, here are a few pictures to enjoy that President Murphy posted to Facebook--

New Companion

Week 52 - Ibarra - Algunos Cambios

So we had some big changes this week, as it was also the time for changes. But, I'll mention that at the end.

The week was actually a pretty slow week in the missionary work. But, we continue on looking for those that are ready to receive us. However, we are starting to have a bunch of members that are willing, and wanting, to help us out. It is helping us have more people progress to a baptismal date and be prepared to make this huge covenant with the Lord. 

I was reading in Alma 34 this week, feeling a little down, and came upon a verse that I love. Really the whole chapter is amazing and teaches us much about the Atonement of the Savior. The verse reads,

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation;  and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. 

I like some parts of this verse. First, we have an invitation to "harden not [our] hearts any longer". Many of us think of this as not wanting to listen to God, no doing the things we should be, etc. But as I read it with the context of the chapter, I found it could also mean no forgiving ourselves or saying that we cannot be forgiven. The next part is the word NOW. In context, "NOW is the time and the day of [our] salvation." Now, now is the time. We can't wait; we can't put it off. Lastly the word IMMEDIATELY. In context, "Immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought ABOUT unto [us]." This is huge. It doesn't mean after a couple days or weeks. It doesn't mean after we think we have been forgiven. It says immediately it will be brought about us. This verse really struck me as I thought about all the things that happened throughout the week that I could have done better. This verse was an eye opener. I thought back to the talk "One More Day" by Elder Godoy, and a specific part, "One thing is for certain, we'll have a TODAY to live." We have a today to do the things necessary. So, do it!

As for changes. My companion, Elder Porlles has left. He went to Atacames. Now, I think this is hilarious because I went to Atacames, Elder Sangay came from here to Atacames, I came here, Elder Porlles goes to Atacames. We couldn't believe that he was going there, but he is there now. As for me, I am, for the first time in my mission, going to train a new missionary (mi primer hijo as we say in the mission). I'm really nervous, and excited. Nervous because it will be someone from the States and I don't know how much Spanish he knows. Excited because I know it will be a great opportunity to learn. Wish me luck! I'll get to be with him starting Wednesday. I don't know who it is yet, so I'll let you know that next week as well. Love you all! 

Read it (maybe in your language)

New Shoes, Who dis? (James the Mormon reference)

Roasting S'mores (we didn't want to destroy the tile underneath so it is resting on cement) 

Agenda Artwork

Week 51 - Ibarra - Historia Familiar-- HÁGANLO!!!

This week, was a normal week. Nothing really special happened.

Only, we celebrated this Wednesday with Pizza Hut! It was so good (also expensive, but it helps to save!) We had a good day Wednesday that was full of work which was wonderful.

We also had an activity with family history and then a baptism (not us but the sisters in our ward). It was a super powerful activity. We set up the stage as if it was the Spirit World. My companion and I were like the "guardians" that had a list of those in the Spirit World. We called them one by one and had them present who they were and then ask if someone had their name and had done their ordinances. It was great to see those that had a paper with the name of the person, but there were some that didn't and it hurt a little to see that they couldn't continue on. They also were in shock. One said that she wanted to be saved too and another said that he thought his family said they loved him. It was very powerful. It was very special as well that we could see that there was a family that could be together for the eternities. It was a great activity. And the baptism just continued with that same Spirit. It was great!

We also had some lessons that were super powerful as well. We explained in one lesson the importance of asking specific questions to receive specific answers. This includes making the decision and then asking God if it be right. The Spirit was present. I know that prayers are answered, but if we want to receive an answer, we have to ask in the way Christ has shown us, specifically. 

I love you all and am so very greatful for your support. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. You all are very dear to my heart. Love you all! 

Our recent convert that fell asleep during our lesson

Just studying. It wasn't a planned picture at all. 

PIZZA HUT!!!

Pictures from our Family History activity

Week 50 - Ibarra - El Amor Para La Familia

We had a power outage, again. However, it seemed like it was just a street, the street that we live on and the church is on. As the small Meeteetse ward had their "church on the river" I thought about how we were returning to the times of the church when it started because the mic didn't work. It was difficult at times, but it was still spiritually uplifting. 

As many of you might know, our sector is pretty much right on the Imbabura volcano. We walk up and down this volcano every day. Very rarely do we take a bus (because, no money). However, we feel fairly fit as we do so. We were actually walking with some members that were getting tired the more we walked and asked us how we don't get tired. I told them what a friend had told me, during the mission we get spiritually tired more than physically tired. I believe it is true and it is because we need to use all our might, mind, and strength. So, the spirit might be helping us out with that. 

I have come to realize, during my time on the mission, the importance of family. It is truly the foundation of God's plan, with Christ in the center of that plan. We must have a good, strong family relationship if we want to have a good, strong (and might I include happy) life on Earth and eternal life in the life to come. I sure do love my family and love all of you for the support and lessons you have given me. Enjoy Pioneer Day as you reflect on Pioneer stories that can help you and think of how you can be a pioneer in your life. Love you all!

p.s. No pictures, forgot the camera 

Week 49 - Ibarra - No, no tengo un bebe

This week, I learned a lot. First, let's start off with a little bit of background. I didn't hear much about Venezuela before my mission, but from what I have heard, things are getting pretty rough there, with money and work. From a result of that, many have migrated to other countries, including here in Ibarra. When I first got here, I met a Venezuelan that literally walked from his city to here just to find work to get enough money for him and his family. Let's just say, it is not a short stroll in the park. He has suffered a lot. I also met another Venezuelan that has a similar story. Well, I didn't know how bad it was for them. Yesterday, the first Venezuelan I mentioned told us he was leaving because he needs to find a better job. He mentioned how he had struggled with cancer in his stomach and how he felt the love and friendship amoung this ward. It was very touching and I know we all realized just how real and hard it is for these brothers to leave everything (family, house, etc.) and walk with only a suitcase to a new country where people from that same coutry has to wait more than a year to recieve a visa. I know I am immensly greatful for the blessings I have recieved. I don't why these things happen to good people, but it is comforting to see that they are still good people and are still enduring to the end to see our Master again.

Now to the title. I know, it sounds wierd, and it was in the moment as well. You might remember when I said that people think I am old here (25-35). Well, we were in an appointment and the mother, who is a bit more elderly, asked (with determination that is was true) is I have a child back in the States. Well, no. And, from shock, I couldn't really say more. 

We also, this week, had many delightful discussion about some very profound doctrines. It was interesting and mind opening (and blowing). We also had a good lesson about our potential and the power of small and simple things. We talked about bamboo. Bamboo can grow meters in days and when someone cuts it, grows back. It can withstand strong winds, extreme temperatures, etc. Very strong and firm. However, when someone plants a bamboo seed, there will not be a hint of life until seven years. Now, why is that? During those long, but very important, seven years, the sed is planting very large roots into the ground. How does that compare to us. We have to do the small and simple things: reading scriptures, saying prayers, attending church, having Family Home Evening, ministering, paying tithing, magnifying calling, etc. in order to be strong. However, that fruit will take time. It may take ten years. Maybe fifteen. Possibly twenty. But, it will come if we continue nurishing our faith. I know that that is something I have seen throughout my life. It is extrememly important to do the small things, because "by small and simple things are great things come to pass" as taught by Alma the Younger and recently by President Oaks. 

I love you all and hope you all enjoy the summer! 

Our view of Ibarra

My 4th of July clothes.

The hamburgers we made

ago de Cuicocha (is it just me or does the bigger island look like tafiti from Moana?)

Our Zone

Me, cooking. Or should I say being cooked

*Just so you know, we are in proselyting clothes because we should be in those clothes during P-Day if we aren't doing an activity where it wouldn't be appropriate. We didn't want to play soccer after, so some are in nice clothes.