Week 31 Ecuador

What a goodbye.. Elder Melzer is off to another sector and I`m training in my sector, Apolo. Happy to be here. I tell you what, I don`t get nervous for lessons, talks in church, singing or district meetings, but you want to put a new missionary in my hands? I was nervous, just for a minute ;)

All is well. I`m hoping to keep the good vibes rolling all the while practicing my patience in this process of training.  

Take care

4/27/15 voice message
Buenos Dias friends and family. We have another lovely Monday morning, another week behind us, and a new companion Elder Morga. Ya, I said it...a new companion. Elder Mezler and I thought we made it through another combio this past Monday as the day came to an end and we still hadn’t received a call, but I guess they changed up combios a little bit in the mission. I got a call late Monday night that I would be traveling with Elder Mezler to Guayaquil Tuesday, where I left him, returned here with another trainer, to my sector to work for the day, then we went back for the night, and slept in the temple. I had another excellent experience, the opportunity to go through the temple on Wednesday morning, and go to the president’s house for a meeting where we also received our new companions. I am training I guess you could say. My companion like I said is Elder Morga from Honduras. He served 14 months in Peru before he got kicked out because of Visa issues, then he waited 9 months at his house, and now he’s back here in the mission in Ecuador. I’m going to show him the ropes, teach him a few things. We’re going to go through the 12 week training program again, so we’ll have 3 months together minimum. Should be a great opportunity to review things, and set some long term goals for the bario, sorry the ward Apolo here. 
On another fantastic side note, I have completed 20 family names in the temple. Going through this past week, some of the new guys, and my buddies that I came here to the mission with helped me out with those names. The president, he did one too. He was super excited. He was glad that I was doing that work. I can’t describe the feeling, I’m so happy knowing those names are getting done, it’s fun to do it. The promise that we received from the apostles, the prophets...when we do our own genealogical work in the temples it will be that much greater of an experience, we’ll have that much more power, that much greater of blessings. I had a few questions as I went to the temple this time, I was thinking a lot, and I ended up asking President Riggins as I had the opportunity later on that day during lunch. He was willing to respond and I learned a ton, but probably not things that I’m just going to through out over a voice recording to all of the world, but I’m learning a lot. It’s really cool.
We got home really late Wednesday night. Thursday morning we headed out to the district meeting. I feel that it went well as I taught, or rather conveyed the teachings of President from the day before concerning the true God, as we know there only is one.  He is very confused in the thoughts and teachings of many churches today. 
  Unfortunately two of my Elders were in Guayaquil for skin infections. That’s disgusting. I never want to go stay in their house ever again now, but we’ll carry on. That following day was also the birthday of Elder Morga. He told me a little late, all I had was a little sucker ring pop left over from my own birthday that I gave him. We had a little celebration. He racked up 22 years...he’s an old fart. 
I did another baptismal interview this week. It was with a young man. He is only 13 years old, but at the same time I enjoy the added perspective that those interviews bring. He will now join his mom and sister as a member in the church. 
P.S. again, I’m eating Frosted Flakes that Elder Mezler left. I’m pretty sure they’re two times as sugary here in Ecuador, which would explain the sugar and alcohol which leads to all the diabetic and diabolic people. The majority honestly I feel in this country. 
As a district I feel the work is going really well. I think the missionaries in ? are going to have some upcoming baptisms as well as the zone leaders. For my own sector I don’t know how much I can say. It’s struggling right now, but at least we’re having success in other areas. I’m killing it in rescuing, finding all the less actives and bringing them back. It really is hard work right there, but talking with men of our stake, I have a pretty good idea of a plan to strengthen this ward that I’m going to throw out to the consejo?
 Anyways, enough about that. You all probably want to know a little bit more about Elder Morga. I would too, honestly. I don’t have much to tell ya. He’s wearing a teal blue shirt right now for pday, and some jeans. He’s...I honestly don’t know what to tell ya. I’ll have to feel you in as experiences come along. Alright, that’s going to wrap up another week, and we’re looking forward for a better. I love you all. Take care. 

Week 30 Ecuador

It has been a week of testing concerning all things that have to do with the work. I had to ask someone for coordinates in case I had by chance been dropped into some part of Europe! The search for quality converts is a laborious and patient process, though all the while so simple; I know if people will search the scriptures and pray they will receive the vital and promised testimony by the Holy Ghost. Well, a testimony tester, a gut-check you could say; back to the planning board.

Concerning all things that don`t exactly fall under a key indicator of the work of salvation, Excellent!

Ask and ye shall receive: we`ve been looking for service opportunities to build relationships here, be seen by the people and gain trust: Bingo! We got busy with machette`s, moving furniture, preparing cocoa and more. Meanwhile the thunderstorms have been equally abundant - I like sleeping with the rain though, it usually quiets down all the partiers and their music too. Mom & Dad- remember why we didn`t go to the sandunes on all the popular holiday weekends? all the partiers and music right? whew, I will have no problem after the regulars here in Ecuador. The only time the city rests is from 2-5 o´clock in the afternoon when I want to go teach them all. 

with that.. we got invited to go to the farm for a day, then later to the Peninsula aka. sandy beaches for a day.. with all the success we`d been having: tempting. Nevertheless, carry on :)

Our hot-water wires caught on fire in my morning shower. Exciting. We got to play electrition and repair it with some electric tape and such. Fingers crossed. 

I´ve been given the opportunity the past months to teach Gospel Principles and love it. Teaching and studying the basics is the greatest testimony builder I could ask for. I also got to participate in the sacrament program: youth speaker, youth speaker, and me; Eh-em... we pulled out 25 minutes studying the Parable of the Talents and making some excellent applications, it was fun!

Best service? A less active famly`s bamboo house fell down as the foundation sank in wet soil. WE helped them carry broken down beds, filthy furniture, and what little they posessed into what had been reconstructed that day. Under their guide we worked in shirts & ties, unthanked as passed the day, but I have no concerns over that. Though I sadly ask.. where was the ward?

The President allowed us to travel to the temple with our ward this week, so grateful we have the temple accessable in our mission. After supervising some baptismal work we headed upstairs for a session and 4 of my personal family names were completed. A fantastic experience seeing them completed after nearly a year of work since I found an interest in geneological work. It has been a great testimony builder for me with all accompanying experiences and blessings.

My attention was continually drawn to the Father: His Love, power, majesty.. as well as to the families which began with Adam and Eve and continue flourishing under the Covenant, or rather obedience to, God has mercifully made with us. No greater joy or peace.

Elder Wilson

Family Home Evening

Iguanas on the river.

Chariot of Apolo;)
 I asked this dude if I could hop up and take a pic. He was cool; he hauls bamboo around on this for work? ha, Ok.

Making cocoa.

Pull up contest. I won, but I won't share how many I got...

Taking advantage of the teeter-totter waiting for a lesson.

Went for a hike! No crocodiles...oh well, we tried. Fun to get away from everything for a minute.

Twinners for the temple.

Temple trip with the ward.

Kids make kites here and fly them, sweat:) I should learn how...

Elder Galvan

Week 29 Ecuador

Hola! or Aloha..?

There has been a lot of sunshine and rainbows this week here in (fall-time) Ecuador. In many ways it has played out in the work as well. I`ve been falling back on a few promises made by inspired leaders and am starting to see a lot of blessings (new investigators) as result of our efforts to serve and focus on members. Here in the sector Apolo, I`ve had a lot of opportunities to work with less active members and they all come with their own individual challenges. Sometimes all they need is an invitation once again and a little encouragement and sometimes we need to help them overcome barriers we so often build up in our own paths. Rescuing a family of 3 this week brought me a lot of joy seeing them excited about creating friendships and being apart of the great gospel we have! Others also brought with them, Friends? It was incredible to see members showing interest in missionary work this week as they brought 3 new investigators to meet us in church yesterday and offered to let us visit them in their homes. Members are crucial! I`m starting to see the blessings of service and creating trust with members where you serve.

I was complemented this week by another Elder for the love and sincerity I show members, woohoo! I must me learning something after all. It was good to hear I am beginning to show some Christ-like attributes or that I`ve at least developed a talent for the whole ¨fake it ´till you make it¨ scheme. 

I love working with the people in bettering their lives with something they don`t have, that which is more precious than all. I am gaining a greater understanding and love for the scriptures and prayer which have wonderful blessings attached according to our faithful efforts. Remember, the Gospel isn`t just the way by which we return to our Father in Heaven, it`s also the greatest way to have success and happiness in this life!

Ecuador is keeping it interesting with huge nasty garbage piles that you can put literally anything on, along with the various animals who thrive off of the struff. Yuck.

Photos: We killed a pen off this week (you know that`s cool, because everyone loses them or something before they`re ever complete) aaaand we`re ready to sail off into this next week!

Sending my best. Love,

Elder Wilson

Egg tree. haha

Trash pile, random horses that walk around, stray dogs, & Elder Mezler.

Heavy machinery in Ecuador!

Yes! I killed a pen this week - entirely gone - hard work.

Service builds trust. Trust and lots of love.

4/13/15 voice recording
Good evening everyone. We are wrapping up this fast, and powerful week on a Saturday night, and crossing our fingers for tomorrow. We’ll start off first with our investigators. I guess our best news of the week is that Morcello Gordio, a large man,   who’s awesome, and we’re going to baptize this next 18th of April. He passed his interview this week, and we’re really excited for him. He’s been through a lot, and really has a desire to change. He has a really good heart; he’s always happy, but he has to work like a dog. Speaking of animals though, he has an pig named Peppe who thinks it is a dog. It even lives IN the house. I’m serious, it just walks around. One day I walked into the house to teach him, and it was laying on a mattress on the floor in one of the rooms. I was just like, “It’s not my house, it’s not my house...it’s fine”. It’s cool though. It will snort, and fight with you with it’s face. It thinks it has tusks, but it doesn’t do anything. 
We also rescued the Eungon? family. A mom and her two children that we’ve been teaching and working with for a while. I’ve really seen her heart change a lot, and soften towards a lot of people in church. She has a big desire to come back, and she’s really interested in family history work. I’ve had a little bit of an opportunity, but I’m excited to set up an account with her, and help her know that program, and get working in that. 
I guess I could say that I’ve been really good at serving others this week, but it’s not so much paying off in my own area as that’s about the best news I have for you. Which is good, but it’s been a struggle week. I’ve definitely racked up a lot of miles on my odometer, and I could certainly go for a foot massage if anybody’s down. 
I did have some good experiences in intercombios though. In one of them with a guy I’ve come to love a lot, my zone leader Elder Galvan. He will be returning this next week to Buenos Aires Argentina. He’s gone about two years and a month in the mission. Well, that’s what he’ll end with ya. He spent nearly 15 months of his mission as a zone leader. He says that he is preparing me to take his place. Mmm, I don’t know...someday? He truly is a neat guy. He gave me his scripture case for his triplet as a gift. For a lot of reasons he’s been a big changing figure in my mission, leaving me with an honorable example, and I hope I can emulate that for all the people I’m called to serve as a leader. He told me in our last intercombio that he can feel my love for the people and I’m a great example of charity. That’s a first, so I must be applying some counsel there. Truly, I love the happy feeling of serving others and giving them something that they don’t have, or otherwise uplifting them in some way. 
I also went out with the original team 1, aka Elder Carlisle this week. We brought Jesus to the people of Apolo. He came over to my sector. He’s really become a great teacher in the mission, and it’s fun to go out with him. He’s had far less success out here than he truly deserves. We’re all sent really to experience our own missions. God prepares us in different ways. He struggles a little bit with being a team player. He wants to go off and do his thing, and me as his leader, I’m trying to coordinate things with him, help him out how I can. I’m sure it won’t be too long before he’s called as a leader, or to train a new missionary. I think that will give him a lot of direction, and a new meaning in the mission as I know it has done for me. 
I’m enjoying myself though. I’m truly worn out, but I’ve noticed even more this week I’m gaining the trust and help of the members here in Apolo. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly 2 months that I’ve been here. Despite what rumor has, I would like to stay. I also had I guess you could call a dumb moment this week. Both Elder Galvan and Carlisle came out here this week to work in my sector with me. In the morning I wanted to do something nice for them. I made some omelettes, and I’ll say this a little quiet, cause I don’t want Elder Mezler to hear and get angry again, but I cleaned the elder’s shoes up and polished them. We have a few rags sitting around, and I accidentally grabbed his pillowcase (without even noticing), and wiped of their dirty shoes with it...oops! If that doesn’t get cleaned out this next washing round, I’m going to have to get him a new one. My bad, not my brightest moment. He’s a very forgiving man though. He’s been a trooper this week. He’s kind of got the croup, got a little bit of a fever, but he hasn’t really slowed down on me. I’m really, really glad to have him as a companion. 
This afternoon we went out and visited two less active ladies, and shoot...by the end of the lesson they were both in tears. I don’t know, I must have brought some spirit today;) One of them was really grateful that we were there. We really want to help her get back to church. She’s in a rough situation with finding work. The other one was a little bit different. She has every reason to come back, but doesn’t necessarily want to. She’s not ready right now, and that’s a hard thing for me to understand. It might have been a test for me, but I remembered something that was said in conference that ya, we will encounter people like that, and all we can do is leave them with our love. Let them know that they’re always welcome, and I did my best to do that, and I know that she felt that. She had a little bit of tears welled up, and she gave us some Powerades and sent us on our way. That was a good experience.

With that I’m going to close for the night. Go hit the shower and wash off all the garbage, sweat, smoke, that I’ve encountered throughout the day...dampened and mildewed by the drizzly rain. So, that’s a good image to leave you with;) God bless. That’s what everyone tells us here every day, so I’ll pass it along.

Week 28 Ecuador

Rubber boots are awesome...service apparel.

Friday morning making a traditional Easter dish: (soup) Fanesca. I got really good at husking and cutting corn:) Believe it our not, there's technique to it!

4/6/15 voice recording 1

Hello, hello friends and family. I’m wishing you all the best. Hey, if my voice sounds a little weak, it’s because I’ve got a little bit of a head cold and I’m losing my voice, but don’t preoccupy yourselves over that. We’ve been teaching some excellent lessons this week, and I’ve lost my voice for a good cause. I’m not quite sure what the translation is in English, but there’s a new video that the church created for this Easter weekend that we downloaded. We also have little cards to pass out, and we’ve been sharing this message a ton with people. It’s called Gracious...Because He Lives. I really encourage all of you to watch it. It’s an excellent message talking about our Savior, the atonement, and his resurrection. The idea that he is here among us now. So, we’ve been showing this video, it’s only like 2 1/2 minutes, and sharing messages with people after. I’ve been especially fond of Matthew 18 this week. It talks about the purpose of why Christ came here. That truly not a single lamb should be lost if we will all just listen and follow his wonderful message. This has all lead in to some wonderful messages about prophets as well. The importance that we have for them, why we need them. That’s really been the focus of this week preparing for this conference that I’m super excited to listen to tomorrow. 

Other things this week, I’ll start on a sad note, but don’t be worried about this. An older gentleman was robbed in our sector this past week, and during the assault he got shot by a younger drug addict. That was really sad. They had a funeral. As we passed by, everybody wanted to talk to us because they know we’re missionaries. He wasn’t a member. 

Leaving that for a little bit of a lighter note. A man’s house flooded with 3 feet of water. Now that it’s drained out, we’re doing the only logical thing in filling the entire house with dirt to raise the floor level, and then they’re going to re-cement it. I’m a little bit sore, and my companion Elder Mezler is really sore from shoveling and running wheel barrows in and out of this house. It’s your typical Ecuador service. I wish someone would introduce a sump pump down here instead of these crazy ideas they get, but whatever. If ARS flood and fire control is looking to expand the company, I know where to make a good business. It really was a great service opportunity. 

I hope you all played some wonderful tricks on April fools. It passed away here without a single joke or thought concerning the matter. It was past 10:00, and we were headed for bed by the time either of us remembered it. So, that’s a bummer, I really blew it there. Two gringos, we could really have had some fun with each other...have to get it next year. 

Concerning the Combosa family, our converts. We had a chance to go hang out with them a little bit this week. In the past we had gotten this really good chocolate cake. It was store bought, and I could never honestly make it. We took it to a lesson with them. So there’s two elders with chocolate cake, and all these eyes, so we gave it to them. They thought it was delicious, and I took credit...it was really bad. So now they think I’m a professional chef! So when we went over Thursday for her daughters birthday, they wanted me to make a cake. I was like shoot, but we did it super fast and we pulled it off. We went back at 9:00; I was visiting with the bishop, and we swung by after and we ate the cake. It worked out good, so I’m glad I was able to pull of my false reputation. 

Going out with the bishop was good. We visited some of the people I’m teaching. He wanted to get to know them. He’s a super quiet guy, so I ended up teaching solo, but it wasn’t a big deal. On the other hand, while I was teaching those awesome lessons, my companion as always had another neat experience. A six foot black man with a pistol and Raybans tells him that they have to change his life. He was drunk, and it was his birthday party like blocks away. Sweet right? Good new investigator. We haven’t contacted him again yet, but maybe we’ll run by him. 

This week for Easter, everyone in all of Ecuador made this traditional soup called fanesca. More or less it’s just super salty fish, and every known vegetable and grain possible. Um, it was very salty, and earthy tasting. I’m glad it’s a once a year thing, and luckily we didn’t have any accidents concerning all the fiber that went into our bodies. We’re good there. A couple days this week, I definitely felt it was Christmas again as far as no one is home, or everyone is home and don’t want to talk, but that’s how it is. 

 Anyway, there’s a little run down of this week. I hope you’re all looking forward to conference as I am, and that you’ll all be able to watch or catch up with all the sessions. Garrett, dad don’t forget to watch the priesthood session. I’m sure it will be fantastic. I have a really big feeling that there’s going to be a focus on the family this conference. So, I’m sure I will be thinking of you all a lot, but it will also be a good inspiration, and opportunity to learn new things about the importance of the family that I can share with people here. So, fasting is really fun, as we started today. We’re looking forward to chopping up some peppers and onions, sausage...making a big old omelette. Sounds pretty delicious right now. Anyways, love you all. Enjoy conference, be safe. Chow

Week 27 Ecuador

Skinny ties:)

Enjoying the rain!

Found some nice rubber boots so I can go stomping through the rain. I like it. Maybe I was deprived of this in my earlier years?

I took Elder Melzer out on a date after soccer this morning for tostados (toast) & batidos (shakes), then he took me out to get a haircut. Successful day.

Sunburn:(

3/30/15 Family recording

Hi family, I just got home. It’s Wednesday night, so that finishes out my 24 hour vacation, if you want to call it that. We left last night to go to Guayaquil, and woke up this morning at 4, and went to the temple. I felt like a real bum because after texting my district and telling them to get their recommends, and telling my companion earlier in the day to get his recommend, I forgot to bring my own temple recommend. So, I had to wait in the front lobby for the president to come. He was coming anyway, don’t worry, but ya I just felt like a loser sitting there waiting. Lesson learned...don’t forget your temple recommend! He just gave me a big smile and a hug, and escorted me through. Good way to draw negative attention to myself. Naw, not really to worried about it. The temple was wonderful as always. I love it. I almost made it through by myself in Spanish, we’re getting there. Little by little, one day we’ll do it, hopefully before the mission ends. Ever since then we have been at the mission home having meetings all day...lot of new rules, as far as p-day and clothing, just a lot of rules. They’re setting up a new thing with our ward meetings, so idk it wasn’t to exciting, but this morning the president gave a really powerful talk. 

After, Elder Parkinson and I swung my the mission office and we picked up our pouch. Big surprise to me, I got a package from mom & dad! I had no idea that was coming, but thank you all the same for the frisbee, and belt, and letters as well...and jellybeans. Jellybeans are incredible. Some of the latinos have never tried them, so it was a delicious experience. That belt looks pretty sweet too. I have seen other elders with them, but thank you. It will be a good back up belt, belts wear out really fast here from what I’ve seen. Mine’s holding in there pretty good, but we’ll see, the whole is getting a little stretched out. The frisbee, that will be fun, we just have to find a place to play it. We’ll figure that out, maybe at the church we can play something, except the fields a little small. Thanks though, that will be fun. 

 It’s now 7:00, and there’s some thunder outside. It’s not raining, so we’re going to go and see if we can find some investigators. We didn’t plan lessons for tonight because we didn’t know what time we’d get back but, we’ll make the best use of it. Baptisms at this point for this week are looking a little gloomy. Our female investigators are being a little dramatic, but we’ll try to get them over their little problems, and see what we can do. I’ll try to give you some more details later on throughout the week as far as that goes. Anyways, there’s little bits and details I could add in, but I better get on my way for now, so I’ll save that for later. That’s all folks. 

Week 26 Ecuador

Elder Mezler & I were the champions...not that anyone was keeping score;)

A cool thing happened while I was cleaning out the freezer. I threw a handful of it at Elder Mezler. He held up a balloon to protect himself, and it exploded! 

I spent Thursday with Elder Carlisle (my original MTC companion), and we had a great time. He's a good guy, and as you can see, has a special talent at entertaining handfuls of kids! (with scriptures even...well, made up ones)

We went exploring this morning, looking for some shoes for my companion, and a new watch (he was robbed, & his was stolen). His feet are too big for Ecuador (only size 11)!

The famous Pina

3/23/15 (voice recording)

Hi family, we’re off to a pretty good start this week. After writing you Monday we went to Guayaquil, which is an hour from here, and we played bowling. Played bowling (that’s kind of weird)...with us, the zone leaders, and another two elders in my district. They had a great idea of making a bet out of it (although we’re not supposed to compete as missionaries), that the winner would receive a tie from the losers. So, ya sure, we did it, and thanks to Elder Mezler and his arm of gold (he bowled like 5 strikes I think), we won! I held my own, but he definitely pulled it out for us. I have a sweet new navy striped tie; I like it a lot, and he got a grey polka dotted one. Anyways, I would be making grandma and grandpa Wilson proud. 

Elder Mezler just had a question...why there’s 2 old rolls of toilet paper sitting outside our windowsill? They’re about a month old now...moldy, bricks! Elder Gallardo (who is in Mexico now) bought new rolls of T.P., and set them on the bathroom floor. We showered and they got soaked, so he put them outside to dry...no, they completely got destroyed. Until this grand moment, they’ve been waiting outside. That’s really gross though, so they will be put on the side of the streets of Ecuador, like the rest of the trash here. It smells super bad...always. 

It was a fun Monday though. Other than Elder Mezler decided to eat at Carl’s Jr...a big old greasy burger with fries (American style). I went for more of the Cajun breakfast burrito choice, a lot safer on my part I believe, because he came home with the hershey squirts. It was rough. So, we got a call from our first counselor with an awesome reference for us. We met up with him, and it’s awesome. We’re teaching him right now, and he has a baptism date for the 3rd of April. His names Carlos Villon. Anyways, Elder Mezler was dying. So we came back to the house, and he was laying on his bed. The hermana told me to make him tea, and make him feel better. So, I was planning for the next day, and I made him tea. I took it to him with some sugar and stuff on his bed. He was laying down and I gave it to him. I came back out to keep planning, and he came out 10 minutes later soaked with tea. He had fallen asleep and got hot tea all over himself. I told him it was meant to go inside of him, not on the outside. He made two more glasses, and I think it helped him out. Apple, cinnamon tea...something like that...no, mint tea, helps you out? 

Also, in our district meeting yesterday, we were meeting together with another zone. The zone leaders said to wear the ugliest tie you have. I don’t have ugly ties, so I was going through Elder Mezler’s ties. I don’t know why he has like 4 ugly ties but...Anyways, I pick this neon 80’s striped bright colored one and wore it, and all the latinas, hermanas, they decided (how many of us were there, like 25 elders) and I won! I won the ugliest tie, and I wore that thing all day long. I’m so proud. It really is a pretty awesome tie, but it’s ugly too. 

Last night, dad I don’t know if you’ve been watching the weather here, but it rained really hard. We woke up and our sector was literally a lake. Really, I thought about getting some rubber boots, but we just went for it. We got stuck at this one lake, and there were members on the other side. We were doing hand signals, like how are we supposed to get to you guys? Then, these little amigos came to our rescue. They rode their bikes over to us, and they were like hey, can you guys ride bikes? Ya, I know how to ride a bike! So they gave us their bikes, and we rode the bikes across, and they just walked through the lake. It was awesome, we got through! The spiritual application here is sometimes we have giant lakes, of obstacles in front of us, but the Lord will always help us. He’ll provide some way that we can overcome those obstacles. 

Oh, hey this is sweet, Elder Mezler has an American flag that he has not hung up until this moment. For whatever reason I don’t know why, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to say the pledge of allegiance probably every morning as part of our routine. I think that would really be patriotic, and a good thing. 

Oh, and one more thing to end. I felt super bad about this. We were in a family home evening, and we were singing I am a Child of God in Spanish. Elder Mezler and I were sitting next to each other; there were probably 4...5 other people in the room in this family, so I’m singing, and my voice cracks. I laughed a little bit and then Elder Mezler just broke down. It was one of those moments where you should not be laughing, and it makes it all that more funny. I’m like biting my finger, and couldn’t sing the next verses, ‘cause every time I’d try I would just break down laughing. They’re all looking at us like what’s wrong with the two gringos? I finally pulled it together for the last verse. I had to apologize to them after. I felt so bad, but that was a rough moment. Lesson learned, my voice still cracks. Then we taught about 20 minutes and the lights went out, and shoot. So, I still feel like it was an effective family home evening. There were good things shared, but I’m closing with that. We’ve got a day of adventures ahead, and I’ll try to keep you guys filled in. Love you. Take care.

3/23/15 voice recording 2

[Flute playing] Hi everyone. Elder Melzer lost his yoyo this week and found some old recorder here in the house (like a flute recorder). I wish he would hurry up and find his yoyo, ‘cause it’s a lot less annoying than that stupid recorder:) As you can hear, we're obviously getting pretty good at our Indian, native, tribal callings. Honestly I think he’s still just trying to hide the shame and pain that he feels every time he looks at his suntan lined wrist;) I was on a split this past week with Yawatchy? my district like 20 minutes from here, and the other elder came here with Elder Mezler. About 3:00 in the afternoon, as they were searching for a less active member, an old, not old, just a skinny Ecuadorian drug addict with a big long machete ran up and in Spanish was freaking out and asked them for their watches. At first Elder Mezler was like what? “Give me your watches”! So Elder Mezler just took it off and threw it on the ground. The other companion did too. Took ‘em off and ran. So that sucks, he got robbed. I’ve still yet to be robbed, but I feel like I kind of want to, just for the experience. At the same time I feel like I have a pride issue with that...giving up my stuff to some thief. Anyway, so that’s probably the most exciting thing that happened this week, and I wasn’t even a part of it. 

I had a good time though, spending the day with Elder Carlisle, my original MTC companion. We had a good time talking about stuff and teaching, as well as Elder Parkinson, our zone leader. We’re bros, and I can’t exactly say we have man challenges like me and Bryan used to (nothing could ever take place of that), but we try...we have some man challenges, which I’ve won like all of them:) Holding your breath, I got 3 minutes again. The biggest mouth, I won. Most push ups, I won, but I can’t remember any more right now. We’ve done a ton though. 

Also, for too long now, I’ve deprived myself of a Milagranio pineapple, so Elder Mezler and I bought one last night for a dollar. Big pineapple, and he sliced it up for us, and it was absolutely delicious. We washed that down with a little bit of mint tea. I eat some weird stuff here...good though. 

Oh, and on another note, I can kind of justify my failing physical condition here in the mission by the words of Paul. In 1 Timothy 4:8 as he more or less explains that exercise for a short while is of little benefit for us, but developing our godliness will do us good forever, so that was a good find;) I’m definitely not giving up on the health though. 

P.S. Thank you mom for the ear plugs that Elder Mezler and I are enjoying as the Ecuadorian culture continues, and a party went all night long, right next door to us. I may have said it before, but I’m super grateful for the disturbance of the peace law in the United States...doesn’t exist here. Oh, and Elder Carlisle and I were riding in a taxi, and neither of us three, the taxi driver included had our seat belts on, and the police pulled us over. I didn’t even know the police did anything in this country. They pulled us over and gave him like a $112 ticket! That is a bummer. He’s probably not going to have extra spending money for a while.

I’m trying to avoid talking about the work here. That’s all I talk about and do. We had some great finds yesterday, and it’s really going good. We’re hoping and praying for certain individuals to gain testimonies, and for Diana to be able to overcome her difficulties that are impeding her baptism this Saturday. The will of the Lord will come about I suppose. We just do what we can. Also, a lot of our preoccupation and thoughts have been placed on two young men in the ward, as some of our most important work we will ever do in this mission won’t ever add up to any number, or complete a goal, but maybe it’s something more. As a missionary were respected by seniors and also trusted by the youth. I think that’s a great thing, and I believe we’ve been able to bridge a big gap so to speak between two young men and those in whom they confide in their process of repentance. Before the mission I imagined this moment might come at some point, and I’m grateful to share vaguely with them my own similar falls from grace, fears, preparations and triumphs. I have a great respect for them, and their desires. They have leaders, but they have a lot less people backing them up than I did. It would be hard to be a youth here. To be a member, with all your friends here that don’t want to live according to the gospel, or support you if you chose to do so. I hope that we can be some example and strength in some way to them though, and help them out with this. 

Ok, so I’ll finish with some lighter notes. Dad, I fear that the whole shower drain thing will be a problem probably in every house that I encounter in the mission. Our shower’s backing up again, and I’m either going to have to find some Drano product, or go with the old vinegar/baking soda trick like you suggested, ‘cause the shower’s getting pretty filled up. I don’t like that. I’m also pretty sure that I have started a case of athlete’s foot this week. That’s not fun. I’ve never had that in my life I don’t think, but it makes sense that I would get it here in Ecuador. It’s hot, humid, sweaty walking around in shoes all day, but don’t worry, I already have some anti-fungal cream, that I am applying two times daily. So we should have that problem under control in no time. 

We are also very excited looking forward to the opportunity that we have to go to the temple this Wednesday. We’re going to travel to Guayaquil Tuesday night, and wake up at 5:30, enter the temple at 6:30. After that we’ll spend all day with the president in meetings, and then we’ll come home Wednesday night. That’s always a good re-energizer, re-booster, refocusing period. I like that. I love the temple, so I’m excited to go back. It’s been 3 months, it’s been since Christmas. I’m also planning on checking with the president and taking those names that I have, and hopefully doing them. So mom, thank you for sending those. I hope that works out, that would be a way neat experience if we can all do those names there. 

I definitely feel like I’m continuing to increase my testimony, my knowledge out here. My motto this week has been to make every missionary a leader. My thoughts on that are, leaders should be humble, and serving, looking out for others, examples. If every missionary has that idea, that they are a leader, then the missions going to be that much stronger. I’m rollin’ with that one until I receive some greater revelation, but it’s been fun looking at people in that way. My district, I’m going to make you dependable for yourself. That you’re going to be a leader and do theses things, ‘cause one day, I figure Elder Carlisle and and a lot of people are going to be leaders in the mission. I just have a great opportunity of starting a little sooner I suppose. Anyways, I’m going to close with that. Take care, and I’m excited to talk with you all tomorrow. I love you. Bye.

Week 25 Ecuador

Buenas Dias Family!

It has been a fun week and I feel a lot more like the old me (for better or worse) living with a fellow American. We`ve set some ground-rules as to prevent getting distracted talking about riding motorcycles or losing our ability to speak spanish. I do miss Latino companions a little bit, they make for a good dictionary when I run across an unkown word but we can overcome our trials in one way or another.

A birthday as well as 7 months in the mission have passed and were put on the back-burner as we kept on working busier than ever I believe teaching, interviewing, finding... It really will be a special year though as it is possibly the only year I will serve as a missionary in its entirety. How do I feel? A new year has come and it`s alright with me, I`m looking forward to all the more I can be. I`m going to go see if I still have any bowling skills left today though in Guayaquil, or if I even have the strength to throw a bowling ball, but I`m excited for that! We have some great missionaries here in the Zone, Milagro! Thank you all for the great wishes.

Wierd moments?

We drank super concentrated diabetic-killing juice to compensate for the excessively greasy food? ..Ecaudor logic?

We have free-range horses here that go around Milagro eating trash and the ownner has a trailer he hauls bamboo on with them. ..old school 3rd world stuff right there.

The work is definately paying off and I was rewarded with a big present this week as we baptized the Comboza Family Sunday morning and later confirmed them. There is always a special spirit that accompanies such events that touches all present. I consider this family very courageous being the first of a family we hope will follow their example. I taught them the story of Joseph and the Savior he was for his family as he was faithful to the Lord`s will and that they, too, can feel the Joy of being united one day with their family like the account of Joseph in (Genesis 46). My counsel to them was to be ¨an example of the believers¨ as is stated in one of my favorites (1Timothy 4:12).

..they were a little tired (in the pictures) from traveling to the beach all week, early morning ;),

Happy Birthday to me:)

One heck of a busy day...

He's a Fruit Loops kind of guy...eating his "air".

Family Morales Comboza

Mercy, Marian and Daniel