Well folks it has been a BIG week!
Let´s start out with I have been
here for an entire transfer!! Made it through 6 weeks, in the best place in the
world. Hermana Castillo,is going to continue to train me for the next 6 weeks
for my last 6 weeks of training. I am soooooo happy we are going to be together
for another 6 weeks in Conocoto. The work for us together here has not been
completed and there is much to be done.
On Tuesday we went back to Quito to
meet up with all the elders I got here with for a big meeting to follow up on
the past 6 weeks. It was great to see the President his wife and all the
elders. We heard inspiring words from the President ate some American food and
made more goals. After our meeting we all went up to the Panecillo. This is a
huge monument that overlooks all of Quito, the volcanos and the valley of the
mountains. The view was beautiful from the center of the earth. Most
importantly, why we went up there was because that is where 60+ years ago David
O McKay dedicated and announced that the Gospel could be preached to the people
of Ecuador. We read the dedicatory prayer with the president and felt the sweet
spirit of knowing the work here is not near to being done. Preparing the prepared,
to meet with our Savior. That experience is one of tradition, a special one.
I got to watch General Conference
in ENGLISH!! It was such a blessing to be able to understand and hear all 4
sessions. We went to our stake center in San Rafel, there with all the English
speaking missionaries from the 2 Los Chillos Zones. The faithful people here in
Ecuador take general Conference very seriously. Everyone always attends at the
stake center, never watches it in their home, the women all buy new dresses and
people are always taking pictures after. It is an example to me of how important
hearing from our leaders of the church really is. Let’s just start off with how
happy I was they sang my Favorite hymn HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION in the Sunday
session. Elder Klebingat on Saturday afternoon spoke so directly and
strong. He spoke of our responsibility for agency, physical well-being,
embracing the commandments, not justifying, not being casual with our matters, and
being really really good at repenting & forgiving. He spoke about facing
our weaknesses, basically what I have been doing here in Ecuador for 6 weeks.
Trusting in the Lord that I will be okay and facing my weakest link of speaking
a different language, living in a different culture to try and preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ. I also loved when our beloved prophet spoke of walking
on the correct path. He talked about having a pattern of prayer, choosing and
pondering the path of thy feet, following the life of our Savior. Elder Scott
spoke about the basics, Prayer, Study, FHE and going to temple, he always
included that nothing is more important the testimony and knowledge we gain on
in this life through those basic things. Lastly my last favorite was Elder
Bednar speaking to the investigators of the church. Sorry to bore all of you
for an entire paragraph but I hope you all enjoyed conference as much as I
did!!!!
As for our investigators this week,
we continue to teach, teach, teach and hope that people will start progressing
for baptism. We work a lot with the inactive members or the church. The
president expects that we work 50/50 with investigators and members. We have
some new contacts with appointments this week. We are both praying that we can
progress the work here and find the humble hearts to share the gospel
with.
Concocto itself is GREAT. The rain
never stops; the mud is amazing, and more poppi pollo. I have discovered
strawberry Mentos and they are like heaven on earth. Also our fridge broke so
we have been making some strange food and living at the pizza place down the
street. Ecuador will never get boring, lots of crazy people and fun times with
Hermana Castillo. I think I may have a 6 pack we laugh so much. I love her to
death.
I hope everyone has a great week! I
think and pray for each of you. I love you all:)
Para Siempre
Dios este con vos
xoxoxo
Hermana Merrill:)
PICTURES: view of Quito...my group
at the monument with the president...my first zone conference weekend
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