Monday, April 30, 2018

3 Grados de Gloria

Que tal mis queridos amigos!!

This week has been awesomely hard and at the same time super fun!!

We have been grinding and searching diligently for those elect ones of our Father and its been pretty fun getting to know some new banana lovers to teach!

We have been studying hard on how to help this ward grow and have the pure love of Christ for one another but it has been a slow and steady process for sure!! Little by little we are helping them change which is a great fruit of our labors!!

Sadly we did not have any baptisms as planned but this Saturday we are looking forward to having 3 so we are going to have a fast hopefully followed by a splash or 3!

The mission life here is going great and we are thrilled that the heat is starting to calm down a bit because man it’s hot here!


Romans 5: 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.


2 Corinthians 12: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
As I stated earlier we just had a really hard week because almost all of our appointments and investigators and baptisms fell and we were obviously sad about that.... but I just decided to "take pleasure in my infirmities, reproaches, necessities, and persecutions for Christ´s sake" 


I love all of you guys and hope that the spring weather is treating you well!! Don’t forget to Minister one to another, as Christ would do!!


Picks!!
1. We did a service helping an investigator shuck corncobs so they can make and sell Humitas. As a thank you they gave us some and they were honestly the best ones I’ve had in my mission!!
 
2. Our friend who joined us for estudio de compañerismo.
 
3.Rice!! Did I ever mention that they eat rice here in Ecuador??
4. Mas arroz
5. Aun mas arroz....
6. Some Ecuadorian kid just earned my respect big time!
 

Monday, April 23, 2018

20 Months....????????????????????

Well it is kinda rough to admit but today I mark 20 months out in the mission field....
Time passes by just way too fast when you’re in the trenches and fighting for what you love...
Anyways this week was super super fast. We spent every day contacting our bums off and ended up meeting over 45 people who accepted an appointment this up coming week so it should be an interesting one for sure!
We also had 11 new investigators so we are defiantly searching diligently for the Lords elect!!
We also have planned 4 activities with the ward this week so were hoping to see lots of miracles in meeting new people and helping others meet the members and excite them to come to church!
We have 2 baptisms planned out for Saturday so please pray for Karla and Marianela Rios!!
No time to write more but just thought i'd invite you all to read "Judas 1:22" and think about how you can apply it to yourself!!

Love you all and hope that you keep perseverando hasta el fin!!
Chao!

It’s a bad picture but I made tacos and burritos for 12 people!! 
It was a glorious break from eating rice!! (You have no idea how much rice they eat here in Ecuador!!! it's seriously soooo much more than any other South American country.....)

 

Monday, April 9, 2018

MI HIJITO EL ELDER VALASQUEZ!!

Ok sorry for being weird there but don’t judge... I haven’t been around normal people for a long time...

So want to here about my new compañero?
His name is Elder Valasquez and he is from Perú! He is 19 years old and was baptized at the age of 10. He has had a pretty rough childhood and life but he is a very nice guy, which surprises me that’s how he turned out!


And MAN THIS GUY LOVES PREACHING THE GOSPEL!!! AND TO EVERYONE!!!! He is seriously a huge motivation to me to step it up and we are working like dogs out here!! This guy is so excited to be a missionary because he waited a year and a half to get his call.... a year and a half!!! He had some problems getting accepted by the missionary department but he is soooo happy to be out in the field!!! We are literally talking to everyone and anyone who we see... and if you’ve never been to Guayaquil, Ecaudor..... You see 1000s of people a day!!

This week we have 4 baptisms so it’s going to be a busy one!!! The blessings just never end down here in Banana Land!! But we are seriously seeing so many miracles on the daily that I cant believe how fast the time is beginning to fly...... 

 

1 Nephi 15:8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

Monday, April 2, 2018

"ONE MORE DAY"

What an incredible weekend!!!
All I can say is that I had many questions answered and is so excited for the changes that are about to come forth!!! The second coming is dawning upon us brothers and sisters! What are you going to do to prepare for it?

Lets just start off with the biggest blessing and miracle I’ve received this week.... I GOT TO WATCH CONFERENCE IN ENGLISH!!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
Second, President Nelson is a spiritual BEAST!! I testify that the spirit was poured out upon me as I sustained my dear Prophet, Seer and Revelator. Though he is not perfect he has been prepared and called by God himself to lead you and me in our day. What a Miracle!
Elder Utchdorf gave my favorite talk this general conference on Sunday Afternoon! Man he just rained some doctoring down and I felt the spirit was palpable in my beautiful isolated English filled room!! Ha-ha it was literally the best thing ever watching conference in English with the only 2 other white guys in my zone!
This week we continue having miracles. We found another couple that wants to accept the gospel but need to be married before they can enter into the "waters of Mormon"! 
We are expecting to have 5 baptisms on the 14th of April so get ready to see lots of white clothing!! Dickerson Loor, Karla y Marianela Rios, Melany Romero, and Brandon Vera are getting ready to follow their Saviors example and Be Baptized!!!
 
LAST REASON FOR WHY I AM SO EXCITED: I'M GOING TO TRAIN AGAIN!!!!!!

My new companion gets here on Wednesday so ill let you guys know next week!


Love all of you and appreciate your support! If you have time let me know which general conference talks were your favorites!!

Hasta la vista bebe!