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. 

Week 48 - Ibarra - Soy un POCO diferente

This week, more traveling, but it was some great training that we, and I, were able to receive. We had our Zone Conference this week and things went well. I certainly learned a lot that I need to do to help out our District. We also had our leadership council as a Zone and we are elevating our goals and visions to achieve greater things which I am very happy and excited about. 

We go with members a lot here in Ibarra. One of the members we go with, more common than not, is a brother and a sister (the brother is almost mission age!). They have been helping out the missionaries ever since they were baptized. They've even tried to help bring more people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through references and their example. However, being with a lot of missionaries a lot of the time, helps them to recognize different characteristics. And turns out that mine is that I am different. The sister told me that. I hope that it is a good different (more focused, more outgoing, more open, etc.) than a bad different (not focused, quiet, shy, etc.).

We also played a bunch of sports this week which was awesome! The Elder's Quorum set up an activity on Saturday that we went to, hoping that our investigators would come. We don't know why they didn't, but it was great to bond with the Quorum. I also scored the "Golden Goal" (the goal to finish off a long game). And for those that are wanting to know, it was a header ;). 

I have noticed something throughout my mission that was even more apparent to me this week. It is very important, and very rewarding, to find "The One". We have a lot of doors that are shut in our face here in El Campo. But all of those doors shut are forgotten when one person accepts us. We had some hard lessons this week as well, and it helped us out when we had an awesome lesson with "The One". So look for the one. This doesn't mean the "one meant for you for all of eternity". But look for the one, the one who needs a friend, the one who is struggling, or the one that could use a helping hand. I know that as we all do so, we will be blessed with peace and happiness in our lives, despite our circumstances.

Sorry, no pictures for this week. Next week you'll have to see the hamburgers my companion and I made for the Fourth of July! Love you all!

 --Elder Ogden--

1 Nefi 4:7 "No obstante, seguí adelante"

Ibarra - Zone Conference El Campo

Week 47 - Ibarra - Hijo de mis Padres

Howdy ya'll! Hope everyone is ready for Fourth of July celebrations. I know we are!

This week has been full of traveling, which isn't great having a brand new sector. I thankfully was able to get to everywhere safely. It started with a full day of travels on Monday (Atacames to Esmeraldes to Quito to Otavalo to Ibarra) and then having to travel to Quito for a District Leader training. A lot of traveling means a lot of tiredness.

Now some more information I know that most of you are wanting. First about Ibarra. It is in the area we call el Campo, but it is more city than anything. It has been super awesome going out and finding and meeting some people who are very interested. We are also right on the Imbabura volcano. So, it is a lot of climbing up and not much climbing down until the end of the day. But, what is probably the best part is how willing the members are to help us out. We have at least two lessons with members every day and we found even more members want to help us out. We are super excited for that! Now, more about my companion. My companion, Elder Porlles, is from Lima, Peru. He is a convert to the church and was baptized about three years ago. However, despite the limited membership time, he knows a lot about scriptures and doctrine. I am very anxious to work with him and learn from him. 

The title of this email comes from a lesson we had the other day. I was on splits with our Mission Leader and we were teaching a part-member family, where the father has just rejoined the church and his wife is learning more. We found out last week that they really enjoy the thought of an eternal family. I was sharing about my thoughts and feelings about how awesome it is to know that we can live with our family forever, when I started to cry. I guess I really am the son of my parents (some of you will understand that. Others...just take my word for it). It wasn't a bad thing, but I know I received a reaffirmation that families really can be together forever, through Heavely Father's plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I love you all and hope you have a fun, and safe, Independence Day!

--Elder Ogden--

1 Nefi 4:7 "No obstante, seguí adelante"

  

Elder Johnson's parents were picking him up and sent us this picture of Stanley with their son:

Here are some pictures from District Leader Training: