All in the Tag: Week 60! "The Beach!"

From 3/16/15

[NOTE from Tiffany's Dad (keeper of this blog):

Tiffany was concerned that the image of missionaries on the beach may not be suitable for some, and cautioned against sharing too many of them on this blog. As keeper of the blog, I decided to share most of the photos she sent anyway. This is what she had to say about it in her own words:

"HEY HEY HEY....now listen here. We did not once step foot on the playa (beach). These pictures could be misinterpreted. Just so everyone knows....missionaries stepping foot on the beach is a no-no.

So, we didn`t. But we did still find creative ways to take a few pictures."

I hope you all enjoy this week's entry, ESPECIALLY the photos!]:

This week was...almost like a dream. We`ve been on the go travel-wise since last Tuesday. We`ve gotten to go to [an area 2 hours from our primary assigned area] twice last week. You know, the Hermanas there are so dedicated. I learn a lot from them and their faith and diligence. One of them is a brand new missionary. One of them is a missionary ending her mission. And the other is training the new missionary. They are in a trio.

Anywayyyys...let me write something that interests my people from the states :p Has the mission really become such a part of my life?... Wow, I guess you could say that it has.

Something cool that happened.....WE CONTACTED A BUS. And it wasn`t the first time.

We knew we would be spending quite some time in the bus those days, so I gave Hna R a little nudge in the arm.

"Let`s contact the bus!" I said.

Hna R reminds me (her voice and spunk) of the little boy in the Indiana Jones movies. She agreed without a second thought. This is one reason why I love my companion. She is so adventurous like I like to be!

As we were preparing to get off the bus after 2 hours traveling, she stood up and faced the bus crowd:

"Before we get off, we couldn`t suppress the need to at least present [introduce] ourselves," she began...

I was still scrambling to the front of the bus, half asleep after the early morning ride. She proceeded to testify of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After speaking a minute, she turned to me. BUT. I was distracted....busy counting how many people we were contacting on the bus. jaja. I was caught off guard, not knowing exactly what I should say to all these little eyes that were now fixed on me. But, what came out was actually not too much nor too little: "I know that what my companion said is true, and that it will bless your lives." And I turned to look once again and "hand-off" the conversation to Hna R. jaja Smooth.

Something neat we both realized from this is that, though it started off as more of a "challenge" to contact the bus, it ended up being a short, but impactful spiritual lesson. That testifying even in simple, small portions, the truths of the gospel can and will capture the attention of the hearers. For example, at first, there were several groggy people and others sleeping still when we stood up. Some listening, some not. But as soon as my companion mentioned eternal families....eyes on us. I didn`t have to say much else after that. All that came to mind for ME to do was to add a brief second witness that this is true.

And there you go. Bus contacted. :p

Hna R is so strong. There are several members here speculating that she has a type of dengue called "chikungunya" which may even be more severe. You know how Hna R responded? We were taking a picture (which I will send you all) yesterday with an Hermano of our ward. Instead of saying "smile!" for the picture, she told us to say, "Chikungunyaaaa!" She has a great attitude and is very diligent.

We have so many good adventures and experiences every day. I am trying to take more accountability for writing them down in my journal, because, like Dad has told me before....it is often the minute, special experiences and tender mercies that leave the biggest impact...but also the ones that are often forgotten and most overlooked. So, I will try to write them down and not depend so much on Monday emails home :P.

Let me tell you a little more about my life right now with Hna R.

We alternate which days we work in one of our areas, and which days we work in the other. One sector is like an oven, especially after it rains. The streets get SO MUDDY and at times we run the risk of stepping in mud thick and deep enough to try and pry our shoes off our own feet! It is big enough to never be able to know the entire sector in the short time I will be able to serve there. The members are some of the friendliest and funniest. Though we are here not many days of the week, we feel such camaraderie from the members, who often treat us as their own family.

The other sector is absolutely beeauuuutiful. and BIG. I mean....really big. On the map of Ecuador, the entire top third of the northwest coast is our sector.....It has a nice, constant breeze here and we constantly have to pass by a river or the beach to get from one house to another. This is a place of pure adventure. The branch is small, but run by really loving leaders and members as well. I feel so new here at times, but still, just yesterday one Hermana (16 years old and very beautiful) gave me such an tight, warming hug and said to me genuinely, "I love you so much Hna Fernelius!"

Another person who hardly even knows my name yet drew and wrote me a friendship card! jaja My heart melts for these people. It makes me feel more and more that this really is my life here.

What is going on in the rest of the misòn Ecuador Quito Norte ? --- I hardly even know. jaja. But I can`t decide yet how I would feel if we needed to have cambios [transfers] to somewhere else again....Though I will go wherever the Lord needs me, obviously :)

Another thing. Yesterday we were eating lunch with one of the RS presidents. Her husband, after knowing me for more than a cambio (6 weeks), commented after eating, "There was an Elder Fernelius who served here in my day."

I looked at him thinking, "Is he really saying this right now..? Could it be HE also knew my dad?"

This Hermano said that he served in the mission Quito in 1988.

"HA!" I shouted. I knew where this conversation would lead.

I ended up pulling out a picture of my family; one of Dad, mission age, and one of him now.

"That`s him, alright!" said this brother.

He said that, maybe Dad doesn't remember him, but Hno. M remembers serving with Elder Fernelius in Santo Domingo back in the day. Dad, do you remember an Elder M? If you do, he`s probably going to add you on Facebook. And, I can attest that he is a really good guy!

Anyways, I need to get going now if I want to send pictures.

One thing I can attest of with complete assuredness is that -- miracles exist today. Maybe today at an even more growing pace than ever.

And. The world is small. So don`t forget to leave your legacy. And leave a good one. :)

I love you all! Have a great week!! :)

Hna Fernelius

"Buenas tardes Presidente!

'A' is progressing so so well! :) She accepts the commandments and understands so well the doctrine. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and even writing out SUMMARIES of each chapter. jeje Her faith just amazes me. We were attending a baptism with her and she turned to me and asked, 'Do we have to wear white when we are baptized?'

I said that we did because it represents cleanliness and purity. She responded with a smile on her face, 'That gives me an idea! Is it okay if I make my own white dress?'

She is so excited in the preparations she is making to be baptized! Especially because her Dad is coming from Quito to baptize her :)

This week was good. We´ve been spending quite some time traveling this week with the other Hermanas. But honestly, President, I absolutely love it here. I learn so much with my companion and though it´s challenging trying to constantly see enough important people in both sectors, I feel that the Lord is blessing our efforts. While we are in one sector, I feel that the Spirit is tirelessly working in the other, preparing the hearts of the people and influencing the members to take initiative."

Inside our house.

...also INSIDE our house!

This is the Hermano that remembers Elder Fernelius from 1988. He excitedly went to pull out some pictures from his mission...hoping to find one of Dad in there, though we didn`t find it :p