Week 9 Ecuador

Wait, when did I leave home again? Like a month ago right? story of the mission right? Live it up ;)

Hi Everyone,

Get excited for two baptisms and a trip to the Temple this week!! Hurry and hop aboard, God´s shooting out the blessings! Really though, the process with an Investigator growing together and preparing for baptism is an unrivaled experience. Likewise with any recent convert or less active that you get to remind how incredible the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, and then take them to the Temple! It´s not easy, but it´s worth it!

The Mission is definitely a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Emotions, lives, all is in play. Sometimes you run into some pretty big ruts; I swear I can literally watch the adversary working against us some days. This week we were rejected, I got attacked by a dog while the owners laughed, one of our investigators crashed his motorcycle and is bed-ridden for a while, another for which we recently installed electricity was beat up and His power-line cut by drug dealers who needed the area dark, and to put the cherry on top my first baptism who we´ve continued to teach and has been great approached me at church out of the blue and called me the devil, cussed me out for being a rich, disrespectful, and rude; that everything I had taught was false and I was trying to destroy her ... It goes on but you get the idea, woah. How do you deal with, answer that one? I don´t know, I was trying to figure it out but was told by my mission leader not to visit her anymore. Does any of that affect me? Definately, for a minute; then you do what you can and move on. That´s the mission. 

The Great part of the mission though, the part that makes it all worth it, are the prayers answered. When you work with all your ¨heart, might, mind and strength¨ and are rewarded with a family who is ready for your message; with 4 new investigators; with the opportunity to bless the lives of someone else because of the Priesthood power you are able to exercise. The mission is amazing, the Lord watches over His servants; those who love Him.

Hope Thanksgiving brings all of you lots of great food, family time, and gratitude! I´m so grateful for the Gospel, to be doing what I am, and for all of you. Sending love and thanks,

Elder Wilson

Darby's not the only artist in the family;) Hah, not all that impressive. But thought I'd share my doodle.

Does the picture do justice? This hill is a booger...feel like I'm hunting up Farmington Peak every time I go up it!

Christmas made it to my Casa! Rachel Munford is the sweetest girl ever and sent me this personal Christmas tree with pictures and ornaments. The latino's were a little wierded out, but they like it now. I proudly hung it on our front door, where it will stay until...I leave probably. ha! Best Christmas tree ever.

Cool house I found contacting in a new area!

Though it's not baseball...sorry Bryan. Only soccer in this country. You will find in the middle of farm fields, trees, the only real soccer field I've seen thus far in Ecuador. Sweet discovery. Cool bamboo goals.

Elder Juanes celebrated 18 months this week. We went out for some street food and shoot, it was pretty good. I could have been eating Javier's minus the chips and salsa for only $2.50 ;)

A week late, but I got around to it. I'm 3 stories up with 3 months down! Never seen so far. #Missionary2014

Week 8 Ecudor

Buenas Dias Friends and Family,

November 13 was the official mark for 3 months! To celebrate this grand moment I decided to hold my breath for three minutes one morning. Thanks to this awesome 0 Elevation advantage I set a new personal record! Cool right? Not quite sure how i´m going to pull of 4 months yet, 3 was miserable. My companion got a good laugh as I suffered through the last 20 seconds. (He personally got 1:20 haha).

 I am doing great and anxious for a change up of things in a few weeks when I finish my training. The work is moving along, kind of? We had a new high for attendance in Sacrament meeting since I have been here. 136! I know, our bishops would think the ward went on strike if numbers were that low.. Our Bishop managed to excuse himself from another week of much needed interviews with the promise that he would take care of everything this saturday. yup. Otherwise we have a lot of awesome families that have rekindled their desire to be a part of the church - Men ready to receive the Priesthood - A couple new investigators we hope will continue to progress - and lots of people who need to get married ...

This week I was talking with one Investigator, a single woman of about 45 years, who asked if she could go to work for 15 days before or after her baptism on the 28th of Nov. I told her I would prefer not before as she needed to attend church and continue learning with us, but assured her afterward if she wanted she could surely go work! We had just talked about Tithing and her lack of an income. So, I thought to maybe ask what this work was. Without hesitation she explained ...prostitution. Shoot, looks like we´re reviewing Law of Chastity again. I did my best to teach why she could not participate in this work while her friend who was sitting in on our lesson assured me it was completely normal. Our investigator on a slightly humorous note figured she could go before and then be baptized, washed clean, of any sins; or go afterward and through the blessings of the sacrament be clean again after. On a bit of a sad note she, as well as many other single women, have participated in this work since they were teenagers to support their living. We are currently searching job options, continuing our teaching and, to end on a high note, she Passed her interview for baptism! ...crazy Ecuador

I know it´s November but that´s not stopping the poeple here from preparing for Christmas! Thus I made a quick Christmas lesson one morning to share with a few member families to try and receive some new references. Anyone lacking a Family Home Evening lesson for tonight? Here´s some ideas..

Look through a few scripture suggestions:

Luke 15; Parable of the Lost Sheep

DyC 18:10; Worth of Souls is great

Matthew 9: 9-11; Good Gifts

Mosiah 15: 28-31 ...Modern day mission work

Begin by asking yourselves why Christmas is such a special time, personnaly? My experience has found that it, as I believe it is with most all people, is a special time to be with our Families and remember our Savior, Jesus Christ. Great! It´s a time to give gifts, be greatful, and maybe more than ever focus on the example of Christ. Christmas is a joyous time because we are united with our families in the knowledge and blessings of the Gospel. I´ve also learned, Christmas isn´t so special for some people here ... it´s in fact just another day.

With that in mind, ask yourselves what is a gift you can give to someone else this Christmas? Even better, what is a gift you can give to Christ?

I love the Parable of the Lost Sheep where Christ truly shows His love and concern for each of us individually. Verse 7 of Luke 15 talks about the Joy in heaven if only one sinner would repent and be saved; a joy greater than if 99 who did not need repentance were received into the glory of God. This verse is preceded by the Diligence of our Shepphard, Christ, who will never abandon us but rather constantly search and call us back to the fold. All who are lost.

DyC 18:10 Simply and boldly states that the worth of souls is great in the sight of god. 

Other scriptures are great additions to these two ideas.

If the most important thing to us and our greatest joy is our families and knowledge of the Gospel, likewise with Jesus Christ, is not the greatest gift we can give ..the Gospel?

It is simple. It is more precious than candy, gold necklaces, or anything found on any of the 12 Days of Christmas. I have invited many, and would extend the invitation to each of those reading, to include in your prayers direction to who is ready to recieve the Gospel. Bless an individual, a family; Be a friend and give a gift the greatest gift of all to one of our brothers or sisters this Christmas. I know the Spirit will strenghten and guide each of us who pursue this with a sincere heart. This message is simple and short but open to be adapted to individuals as any lesson should be. Best of luck to you all ...Missionaries. Have a great week!

Love from Ecuador,

Elder Wilson

Not a flattering shot of my companion, but this is our daily bus stop!

Not so nice people live there, but it was cool to walk around their farm!

Returning home in the back of a motorcycle cart thing after a days work. The guy just offered. Cool old black man. haha Love the little adventures.

Request of grandma Rett - here's my study area;) You can find me here between the hours of 7:30 and 10:00 almost every day!

A "farm" we were supposed to do service on.

Busy Bee's;) Repping Utah,...or the Beehives.

Swung in to support some young women in the ward. Ended up catching a part of an impressive cultural dance talent as well!

Random fireworks that lasted for a whole minute and a half! Fun surprise!

I was in the area, thought I'd shoot a pic of the statue. Bad picture.

WooHoo, thanks family Quintanilla! Had some pretty tasty cake one night. They all found the old spoon trick pretty humorous also;)

Not sure why there was a random festival one night? Something to do with the catholic church, we got some weird stares walking through, and some good food!:p

How to lose a 6 pack in 2 years...fried dough covered in sugar, dang it's tasty!

Week 7 Ecuador

Hola mis panas!

Another week at work, much has stayed the same. Surely a few small suprises though. I got to buy some sugar cane and try it out, it is pretty good, though I can't say it beats Wonka or Hershey's.. Amongst the normal Lizards and birds I ran into my first cockroaches while helping a family move some furniture - Huge! They explode pretty good too when you step on them. The winner this week however, has to go to my friend Pulio. While at a less actives home teaching a lesson all was going grand> mom is breast-feeding the 18 month child, and the 2 year old is naked handing out mangos with a puppy nipping at him - nothing out of the ordinary. Following, in an attempt to pick up a fumbled mango the child Diahrrea's everywhere including my right shoe!!! I made a quick recovery from the initial shock, washed myself, and laughed pretty hard. That lesson had ended abruptly... Otherwise, nothing too great to report. Had a whole fish again and watched a woman eat the head and all! She assured me to my great releif I did not have to though.

My companion is the new District Leader. Thus, in my evening hour 'learning' from him while he takes calls I jotted down some ideas I'll share.

I have known it all my life, recited it since my youth, my greatest enemy is myself. When we study it out we all find that our greatest challenges do not face us on a wrestling mat or a football field, they are not found in the choices of others from which we are affected or the trials we are destined to face in mortality. Ancient prophets knew this well as they counceled in [Ephesians 6:12] "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities." Applicable to any goal, the greatest obstacle we must overcome in order to obtain it is ourselves. To be what we are capable of becoming in this life as well as in what will follow we must do as King Benjamin taught and conquer the "Natural Man." [Mosiah 3]

Our Heavenly Father gives us weakness that we "may be humble" sufficient enough to turn to Him for help. Thanks to the grace and Atonement of our Savior we are able to learn through this process, make changes in ourselves, and become perfect like Him. I have, up to this present time, fallen short of athletic goals, academic expectations, and even the standards of my God. I can speak for all in saying the learning process that follows is largely humbling. Nevertheless, I am grateful for these times of improvement. As we look upon our trials as times of self-growth and turn to our Lord in Faith and humility we retain His promise that Ï will make weak things become strong unto them." [Ether 12:27] I am experiencing, learning, and growing continually in the mission as I strive to be a representative of Christ and will always treasure the words of our Prophet Thomas S Monson, "Let us make the resolution to do things a little better than in the past." 

I like that, "little better." I have been reflecting lately on the "Simple things." Things such as our daily decisions to pray, read the scriptures, our conduct with others.. We are required to improve our time in this life, but these changes do not take place over-night. Examples are limitless which stem from the principle, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."I believe all can recognize the validity of the statement as we seek to apply it. I have experienced first-hand how by "small means," an 18 year old with broken spanish, the Lord "bringeth about the Salvation of many souls." To obtain a Doctorates degree you do your homework tonight, to be a professional swimmer you jump in the water, to receive eternal life you begin with a prayer. Simple, right? 

I'm a fan of strategy games, namely checkers and chess [or dominoes, a family favorite]. I'll venture to admit I was in a club amongst other nerds who shared this interest, one of the only clubs I've ever joined.. Ha! In these games every move counts as you progressivley bring about your triumph, or destruction. Victory is wrought one move, one choice, at a time. It's not all so different in life. No one wakes up and says today I want to destroy my relationship with a family member or friend, or disqualify myself of the blessings of the Holy Ghost or Temple. Yet throughout our daily decisions we so often do just that. We've heard it time and time again, certainly for the cause that it might echo in our minds and influence the better when we face those "gut-check" moments, Remember which team you're on, who you're fighting for, who you are and what you stand for.

Thanks mom, I think we got it. Hence, let us "ärise and be men." [2Nephi 1:21] Let us be "steadfast and immovable." [Mosiah 5:15] Let us secure our lives upon "a sure foundation" [Hel 5:12] and go forth in our daily works prepared with "the whole armour of God." [Ephesians 6]

Let us remember the wise cousnel of our parents, prophets, and savior, who all share the utmost desire for our success. "Watch yourselves, and your thoughts and your words and your deeds.." [Mosiah 4:30] "Remember, and perish not" but rather, follow this pattern and obtain "peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come." [D&C 59]

Have a super-bien week everyone!
 Elder Wilson

I don't know what it is but it's like the size of a Turkey!

Half torn down I'm not sure what? My companion picked that flower and gave it to me, regretted it because I wore it for the next hour and he was so bothered by that. I guess that is a pretty "gay" thing here. All of our members just laughed though:)

The Whole Family

Us with half the family celebrating the birthday of our relief society/laundry/best member friend. She's cool. Fun night/hour.

Love you:)

Week 6 Ecuador

Hola Familia! Another awesome week behind us. I´m going to keep this pretty short and sweet, hope everyone is great!

As I wrap up another great week and time is truly passing by in the mission field I was pondering about the progress i´ve made as far as many Goals previously made. ¨Goals reflect the desires of our hearts and our vision of what we can accomplish.¨ Preach My Gospel pg 146. A life without a cause is a life without effect; always have a purpose. Consult with the Lord, trusting he will help you, and establish goals throughout your life which will stretch and guide you to your full potential. When we exercise Faith we show the Lord we want His help. Consequently, He will help us learn and fulfill our individual purposes.

I want to refer briefly to those who may be hesitant in this process due to past short-comings. I run into a lot of different people and no situation is ever the same, but to all I would counsel that the past is to be learned from, not lived in. We have all experienced the discouragement of not ¨measuring up.¨ It is the very reason so many choose to simply play it safe. Do not let what troubled you yesterday hold you back from what could be accomplished today! Also keep in perspective that personal shortcomings are not failures. ¨The ultimate measure of success is not in acheiving goals alone but in the service you render and the progress of others.´¨ PMG

In D&C 121 the Lord teaches that ¨many are called but few are chosen.¨ In my words, starters are many but finishers are few. 3Nephi 14:13-14 Ënter ye in at the straight gate¨ we are invited, yet warned, ¨Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.¨ But why? Why don´t people accept the gospel of our Savior? Well, in one response I echo the words of Elder Holland again and believe that while salvation was never easy for our Savior we too must experience in this life a small part of what He went through for us, It is part of our purpose here to face trials and learn, yet I know on the same note that the Lord will never let those who look to Him fall.

Few processes better exemplify the attribute of Diligence than the conversion of a Child of God unto Baptism, a close equal being our obligation to subsequently endure faithfully to the end. ¨The remission of sins¨invites the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion through our earthly journey, that ¨By Diligence¨we may all return and ¨dwell with God.¨ Moroni 8:26. My first convert, Elcerita, was baptized today after over a months work of preparation. This former Evangelist, Smoker, Near anti-mormon came a long way to gain a testimony of the Restauration and truth of the Gospel as well as quit smoking. I will never be able to fully empathize with those who struggle to overcome addictions, but I made a promise and exercised Faith that the Lord would help her. I watched this woman fall, try, fall, struggle, lose hope-quit. We put our trust in a Priesthood blessing and fasted, then I watched the Spirit convert a heart before my eyes. I´ve learned Diligence in obtaining a black belt, eagle scout, academic scholarships and other noteworthy accomplishments but none compare to what i´m learning, eternally speaking, every day in bringing about my greatest ´accomplishments´ yet.

I´m so grateful to be a part of this marvelous work and for all those who support me in my efforts. Surely thoughts have ventured home this past week with Halloween and birthdays.. I can´t express the joy my family, even miles away in another continent, brings me. Thoughts of those at home, as well as my fellow brothers also serving around the world, often underlie my ambitions and motivation to magnify my calling; giving to these families the knowledge that brings me such great joy, or by all means showing them the way to it. Love and prayers often for all of you at home. Have another great week! Sincerely,

Elder Wilson 

I've been taking full advantage of the bananas, apples, MANGOS! and other fruit coming into season. Makes for great breakfasts. Have to be careful though, they'll get you on the other end if you know what I mean...;)

My first convert Elcerita was baptized!

Post-baptism clean up. Spirits are high! Neat experience.

Adios to my first zone and district leaders. The only gringos in my area. Who are transferring today. I'm glad I got to spend time with them on splits this past week. Great guys! Look forward to leadership opportunities in the future...