Week 7! "Ohh Sundays :)"

From 3/10/14

Love you all!

 

My pictures won`t upload :( Que lastima. But know that I still have two eyes, a nose, and smile as big as ever! Oh!! Also, Stake President "S" and one other person told me I look Guayaquileña!! Both in the same day. It was brilliant :)

We are drinking lots of hot chocolate and pansitos because of the colllld. And Hna C and I decided we are getting chubby, so we bought fulll yogurt and granola today for our future breakfasts heheh.

 

On to this week's events:

 

This week....we found a house!! I am a proud owner of a first floor apartment at a reasonable price and ample space for the things we need. We received the keys today, but instead of taking a picture, we have to send it to the mission secretaries heheh. We spent a portion of Saturday helping the family move things out so that the mission can move things in tomorrow. 

After looking for place after place and receiving several declinations from the secretaries, we know this apartment is top notch, because we have been able to compare our options. And this apartment is definitely the place they promised us the Lord has been preparing. Because the price, location, set up, people living in the floors around us is perfect. Ahh yes.

But one day as we were looking on the way to an appointment, we saw a blue house that appeared to be emptied. Tired and desperate, we knocked. Nada. Yep, it was definitely empty alright. But as Hna C was knocking, her ring fell off and rolled under the gate. Usually the homes here have some sort of gate before getting to the actual door of the house. This gate had slivers of space, or holes, as part of the design. We could see the ring. We tried stretching through the hole, reaching with our arms, and even with a branch of a plant Hna C saw nearby.

 

As she brainstormed nearby, I figured I`d try the quick solution: my leg. I lifted my skirt up just enough to fit my right leg through the hole. Determined, I stretched as far as I could to try and reach for the ring. Until, out of the corner of my eye I saw a man in a suit standing a few feet away towards the other side of the road. With my leg completely lodged in the gate, I cocked my head sideways just enough to see him standing there, facing me squarely, with an absolutely perplexed look on his face. No smile. Nothing. He just stared at me.

 

"Hola. Como esta?" I said a little too nonchalantly and quirkily. I`m pretty sure he thought I was robbing the place haha.

 

But when I dislodged my leg, and Hna C finally realized what was going on, we explained the lost ring situation, and the man was actually nice enough to help us retrieve it with a broom. He left pretty quickly after that, but who can blame him. Hna C and I had a good laugh out of the whole scenario and thought about going back to reenact the scene with a picture, but obviously that never came into fruition. hahah. But it was priceless.

Anyhow, this week was a little rough. There has been a situation in our ward from the very first Sunday I was here. Since our ward is a recently combined set of two wards, there is some difficulty with butting heads and unity with the members. At times I feel like we are simply burdens on the members of the ward because there are two sets of missionaries to feed, and it`s hard to find people in our sector willing to help us out with that. The stake president came yesterday and gave a beautiful and heart-felt talk in sacrament meeting about supporting the Lord`s servants.

 

I`m pretty sure people could hear me crying afterwards from outside the bathroom. I haven`t cried like that in a long time. But immediately following, and after having a "special meeting" between the missionaries and stake president, who said some very tender, encouraging things, we had the most productive ward counsel we have ever had before in our ward.  Instead of just talking about what we need to do, there was an air of action and excitement. We spoke of our members and investigators and of their needs, then went to action with solutions. It was an absolute answer to prayer, and quite immediate too. 

Every week, and every day, I feel something changing in our ward. There is more understanding and more unity. I cannot stress how important it is to serve one another, to fellowship, and to have that unity. Zion was not Zion without it. I even had an opportunity last week to go into the bishop`s home to ask him something, and realized what a good person he is. And how hard he is trying. And the most important eye-opener I`ve had thus far is that he called of God. How often do I say that just to say it? But really, these callings are from God. And however inadequate we might feel, if we do our part and put in our effort, the Lord will accomplish His purposes in His way. 

Just briefly I also want to bear my testimony of the importance of Sundays: the Sabbath Day. Every Sunday, there`s a period of about 30 minutes that is the most stressful (I guess I could say) of the entire week. Our ward here also starts at 9 am, like our ward at home. But we leave early in order to retrieve all the people who said they would go the days leading up to Sunday. 

And every Sunday, something happens where the investigators or less active members say they are unable to go. Satan works so hard on Sundays, I am a witness of it. But, if these investigators do not attend church, they cannot progress, and they cannot enter into the covenant of baptism. And that is an entire week of difference at the least. That`s a lot.

In Isaiah 58:13-14, it speaks of the blessing of church attendance. It says something about developing a delight in the Savior when we keep this commandment. In 3 Nephi 18:1-25 it also speaks of the importance of church. One part says that, as we know that the Lord is gathering His people, when we choose to attend sacrament meeting, we are the ones separating ourselves. We are the ones choosing between gathering ourselves within the house of Israel or not. Every Sunday counts.

Yesterday, out of 6 who said they would come, no one came. Until about 15 minutes into sacrament meeting, one gentleman called us and asked for directions to the building. This gentleman came from further away than the rest. He arrived by bus. And when we went outside to wait for him, we saw him arriving in crutches and hopping on one leg all the way down the sidewalk toward the church building.

Wow. That is what it`s all about. I don`t think I ever understood what it means to keep the Sabbath Day until now. And I still think there`s more to it that I still don`t quite know. 

But I`m starting to realize that it`s one way the Lord is gathering His children and distinguishing between the wheat and the tares. Our obedience is so important, but more than that, our willingness. We are needed in our wards, wherever that may be. Our talents, our service, and our support is needed. I feel that, through the missionaries, the Lord is testing our ward and giving them a chance to grow and strengthen. And, as a missionary, the Lord has not neglected us. Every time there has been something we have needed, He has introduced us to a new family or someone who could offer us just it is that we were looking for.

I am grateful for wards. I am grateful for the organization and structure of the church. I am grateful for good people who have nothing, and give everything. And I am grateful for those who truly understand our role as children of God, with truth that no one else has. Who are we without each other? I hate to say it, but God needs our faith and obedient service. And those who have been able to support the Lord`s servants in this way are the ones who may never know how grateful I am for them. 

Sister B said something in her letter to me about how the members find, and the missionaries teach. And I can testify that most of the investigators we have had were references from a member of the ward. And Hallelujah for them. One young lady of only 27 years old was able to receive a lesson of the Plan of Salvation in that way. Who, I recently found out, was ready to commit suicide. 

I am so grateful every day that I serve the Lord. There are some things that I can`t express in words, but I know this church is true. I know that God knows us, and our hearts. And I know that everything He commands has a purpose. With a little bit of faith and action, we can understand why. And with complete conversion unto Him. we won`t even feel the need to know why, we will simply do it. And we will be His.

"Good afternoon, President Richardson.

 

I think the Milagros de Marzo has begun for Hna C and me. This week was a little rough, but I`ve also been able to see how the Lord has blessed us.

 

It`s been a little rough because of all the distractions and obstacles as far as time goes. This week started off slow because of carnival. Then a couple days we had to prepare our own meals because at the time our mamitas were either unavailable or not established yet (now we have mamitas for the whole week, so we`re good :). Also, we were able to find an apartment and did a service project to clean and empty the furniture from it. Also, one day Hna C was feeling really unwell, so we had to take it a little slower than typical.

 

But despite the obstacles, I feel that the Lord is aware of our desires and has continued to bless us with incredible opportunities. For example, "H" was able to be baptized this week! It was a little bit of a sacrifice for him because his work called and said he would need to work this weekend, starting at 8:30-9:00 every morning, and not returning until about 9:30 at night. Regardless, he and President "A" were able to meet early (at 7am) one morning. President A emerged from the interview and pulled Hna C and me aside. With tears in his eyes, and complete tenderness in his voice, he related to us that H had experienced something so profound and scarring in his life. He said that H was a man well-prepared for this baptism, and that, although Pres A didn`t know what to say at one point during the interview, he simply knew H should be baptized. At the end, he looked down for a moment, silent, then looked back up into Hna C and my eyes and said, "Please take care of this man." And that was it.

 

Saturday morning, at 7am, H was baptized. He was so excited. And although only a trio of elders, two members from the ward, us, and H and President A were there, the room was filled with the presence of the Spirit and a sense of joy and love filled the room. H is a man who has changed dramatically...not in appearance of customs. But, in his countenance. He is so much brighter, there`s a light in his eyes, and his desire to reach outside of his previously enclosed way of living has grown tremendously. He took the initiative to ask his boss that, since he worked an extra hour Saturday, that he would be able to take an hour of work off in the morning Sunday so he could attend Sacrament Meeting.

 

That was one blessing of this week.

 

There are many more, but one more I feel was impactful was a brother we first visited Wednesday. His name is "C". He has a desire to be baptized, but the big problem is that he is not married to his "esposa." But, I was shocked with the way Hna C handled the situation, persistent and direct that they needed to be married....this week. So that he could be baptized the Saturday that came. And the crazy thing was that they were both so receptive to all of it. They opened up by saying that this is what they`ve wanted to do for so long."

Week 6! "Leave Them Alone, They're Mormon"

From 3/3/14

 

Here is a picture of me trying the earthy, peachy, hairy fruit of Zapote. I look three shades darker because that morning we were house-hunting:

 

 

This week we spent a loooot of time house-hunting. The requirements are so specific in order to make sure the new missionaries coming in will be distant enough from each other and secure. Right now, our ward has 2 sets of missionaries. But in the new transfer in a week, a new set will be coming in....therefore, house-hunting. I´m eager to find a place so I can proudly announce my new title of first-time home owner heheh.

 

Today I kinda just want to share some stories I think you´d enjoy.

 

March 1st through 4th is Carnival. So for those days, we are only allowed to go outside if we have fijas, not citas. (Fija = planned appointments). Because if not, there´s a chance people are going to chuck water balloons at your head from their terraces, or dump buckets of water on you, or....Carioco.

Hna C (my companion) and I were walking down the street to an appointment, when suddenly I felt a giant wet glob on the left side of my head. I looked up and saw a big yellow school bus drive around the corner, and a group of pleased young children laughing. I made the saddest, most pathetic puppy-dog face I think I´ve ever made in my life as I peered back at them through the bus window. They laughed even harder as the bus drove off. It was so funny. Hna C loves the smell of carioco, so fruiiiity. But the left half of my hair was in clumps the rest of the day hahah.

 

Saturday, we had a family baptism. The family "P" that I mentioned before in that huge shpeel about the "C" family...yeah them. I´ll tell you a bit more about them at the end. But it was raining quite a bit this week, so I let them borrow my parrawa (umbrella).

 

 

And Hna C and I put trash bags over our heads to keep our stuff dry. We loove the rain!!! So we basked in it and climbed the long hill home. The only problem was that the entire highway blacked out. No lights anywhere....All the cars were gone. Only a few crazy people were left standing sporadically throughout the sidewalks. My shoes got soaked. Squash squash squash. And onward we climbed, in the complete blackness of night. Every once in a while we saw the lights of a car pass by. But other than that, raindrops and empty streets. It was awesome! But also kind of scary. These places can be sketchy at night sometimes. And carnival doesn´t help with that heheh. But we were so soaked! It was so cool :) And we didn´t get sick. :)
 

 

Hna C and I have to pass through a little alleyway sometimes. We avoid it especially at night, but this day we were walking through and were walking past a man and woman standing there watching us approach. The man began to say something and move as if he were about to do something to us. He was obviously on drugs, and not the type of person we wanted to be around. But as we walked briskly and purposefully onward, the woman curtly turned to him and said, "Leave them alone. They´re Mormon." He left us alone. And we walked through. I feel the protection that comes as a missionary. And we feel the promptings when there´s peligro or something to be cautious about. We feel the angels around us, to protect us, and to bear us up.

 

Another time on this very same road, there was a suspicious-looking man leaning back-to-wall. We walked quickly past, but he called out, "Hello Elders!" as we did. I didn´t think to respond because I was so focused on getting through there quickly. But he called out again, "Good afternoon, Elders." Hna C turned her head a little to greet him quickly as we walked on. Then we heard him call out, "One day I will repent and change. One day I will follow the path of God." And that was that. It was actually rather sad. But one thing I´ve come to notice is that these people often steer clear of the missionaries. They leave us alone because of some unspoken knowledge or respect of what we represent.

 

Every day I feel the Lord´s protection. And every day my eyes are opened a little more to the variety of people that live on this earth. People we don´t know, but He does. We were visiting with a less active member family, and they serve us in amazing ways. Even though the wife is less active and the husband refuses to join any religion, they recognize the Spirit of the Lord when we enter their home. It is amazing.

 

And, did I tell you? I live in the clouds :) Literally. And figuratively. Life here isn´t always perfect, but it´s always right. And I already know I´m going to miss it in 16 months. I love you all and hope you are doing well. I love your stories. Aren´t stories great? Especially mom´s this week. And Dad...thank you. I look forward to every Monday when I can get another glimpse of your story.

 

 

"Good afternoon, President.

 

This week was a little different because Hna C and I spent a lot of time looking for a new apartment or home within the sector, as well as the difficulties teaching and finding people because of Carnival heheh. But, we were blessed to have a few special experiences embedded within this week.

 

The P family (including the mother and her two daughters) were able to be baptized this past Saturday. It was very special because her sobrina ´happened´ to be visiting that weekend and, as we found out, is actually a less active member in the church. Also, several members of this family were also able to attend the baptismal service. The energy and excitement of their girls spread throughout the rest of the family, and the excitement showed in their faces. The family members were able to support them in this decision, just as Hna C and I prayed they would.

 

The room was so full for the baptism that a couple members and missionaries has to stand in the hallway during the baptismal service. It was special to see a family with so much interest in completing the covenant of baptism. Prepping up for Saturday, they kept asking, "When will it be Saturday? When can we practice being baptized?" This is also the family that we found at a discouraging moment, and through the miraculous event that the C family finally permitted us to enter their home. The Lord is in the details. And He is preparing His children. This I know, because I have seen it.

 

Also, we are teaching an hermano named H, who will be baptized this coming Saturday. H lives alone and when we encountered him, he was rather depressed and alone: swallowed in the grief of something that happened in his past. As Hna C and I began to visit with him, we felt something very sincere and genuine about his desire to improve his life. He initially felt unprepared to be baptized, but began challenging himself to step outside his comfort zone and put his seed of faith to the test. He has been to every church meeting and baptism since then without fail, and is also looking forward and announcing the day of his baptism.

 

He shared a very special experience he had several years ago when he last visited the church. I hope he is about to share it with you when you visit with him this week. He mentioned that he felt as if he was "wrapped in the arms of Heavenly Father" one day years ago as he sat in one the gospel classes. H is a very prepared man, and I have seen the light of hope brighten every time we share our experiences and testimony of the gospel. He is not the same person I met a few weeks ago. Instead, he is glistening with a new hope and light. And I know that this is what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can do for us.

 

This weekend is his baptism, and I look forward to seeing the progress these families and investigators will continue to make as they accept the Lord as their Savior. Hna C and I have the goal of being a little braver in contacting and finding new people heheh. Because when we do the work with confidence, I see that the Lord blesses us with His children who have been prepared."

 

This last picture is of us this morning making Pan de Yuca. :) We had a little bit of a carnival ourselves with the almidon heheheh

 

Week 5! "Short and Sweet"

From 2/24/14

Unfortunately I won´t be writing much this week. I spent more time today elsewhere on the computer and only have time for a quick note today. 

Yesterday Hna C and I were encased in our apartment all day after church because of elections that were going on in the country. So we made a deliciiiious lunch with a papaya/mango/banana fruit drink and everything! The food was delicious and was very home-y.

I missed home a little bit this week. We went to one of our mamita´s homes this week for lunch and they were listening to full on 80´s music. Ohhhhhh no. I loved it a little too much. But I also missed home because of it hehe. Then today, we went to the offices then to a huge mall in Quito called Quicentro. We ate lunch there for N´s birthday today. But the entire time, Hna M and I were dying because they were playing country and other realllllly good songs that we knew. We kept looking at each other when a good song came on until eventually I said, "No me mires!!!" when she gave me a look that read ´this song is so goood, I am so tempted to sing right now.´hahah

We had some incredible experiences this week where we were able to place hand to hand some dark, obscure experiences with complete, emblazoning miracles.

Remember the Cr family from last week? Their son, A was baptized Saturday! They weren´t home when we stopped by to take them to church, so we left after waiting a few minutes. But, we decided to pray for them to be home, and returned. I can feel the difference between when I pray in faith, knowing it will happen, versus when I pray with even the minutest of doubts. But, we prayed in faith. And when we returned, he was there with his father and brother J. And he was baptized.

I feel the need to explain that random picture of a lady in her kitchen from last week. That is Hna G. She is the one who taught us how to make Corbiches. She is also the one who fed us the plantains that I had to hide in my undershirt. heheh I don´t know why a lot of people don´t smile in the pictures; she is one of the friendliest, laughing people I know. But notice all the plantains?? She is from Esmeraldas....yeah. That´s why heheh :) I love her.

Also, I meant to say there were 7 Hermanas in my newbie missionary group, not 4. If ever something doesn't make sense that I say, it´s probably because of a typo heheh Sorry.

And, last week I bought a Libro de Mormon in Quichua!!!! Best thing ever. Very different than Spanish, but I was so thrilled when I spotted it in the offices last Monday.

I love you all!! Until next week :)

"Bienvenida a la mejor mision!!" (Letter from the Mission President's Wife)

From 2/24/14

This is an email I got from Hna Richardson. hehehe I love pictures so much. This is at the airport, the first 4-zone conference we had my third day here, me and Hna C at the newbie capacitacion last the 13th ish, and my groupies along with the dinner we had. :)

Dear Hermana Fernelius,

I know you’ve been here a while now, but I thought I’d send some pictures of your arrival.

We sure love you and are so grateful you are in our mission.  You are going to be an amazing missionary from start to finish, for which we are most grateful.

Hope you and [your companion] are doing great, as well we suspect you are judging from your work and subsequent success.

We love you and are here for you for any concern or need that might arise.

Love,

Hermana Richardson

Week 4! "The Details"

From 2/17/14

Ohhh Ashley. I think I can understand that. This week was a little harder than usual. My Spanish almost feels like it's at a stand-still, which was a disappointing sentiment this week. But also, this week we lost a lot of study time because of the capacitacion for three days. I was able to meet my groupppies!! There are 4 sisters (including me) and 8 elders that came in this cambio (transfer).

The capacitacion itself was so rejuvenating. It was interesting that I was the medium between the gringa sisters and the three Latina sisters. At night, we stayed at a hotel near the offices in central Quito, and I loved being able to go between languages to satisfy the demands of whoever it was I was speaking with hahah.

The first day of the capacitacion, we learned only a few things. But one of those things was Hna Richardson showing us how to prepare healthy meals in the church kitchen. It ended up turning into a mini-fireside. We stayed for much longer than we were supposed to because each one of us began expressing things we had learned in the past little while, and experiences we have already had. I shared several things about what they could expect as far as I knew up until then.

One of the experiences I had shared was the first weekend I was here: Sister P's baptism. And what a miracle it was. There was a silence in the kitchen room as my group listened intently to the story. I was able to recall the details so clearly. The next day, President Richardson mentioned to me that he was glad I was able to share that experience with them. That pleased me because that means Hna Richardson forwarded the details of the experience to him.

Since then, I feel as if President and Hna Richardson have a better understanding of who I am and the testimony I have. It is always a blessing to have a President who can trust and understand you.

Wednesday, we had a dinner at the Richardson's home after capacitacion. The decorations were beautiful and the socializing was enjoyable. The best part was at the end, when we each bore our testimonies. I started in English (I figured it would pass as acceptable since their were so many gringos), but President and Sister Richardson hinted across to me, "In Spanish. In Spanish." So I switched to Spanish without a glitch. And honestly, I don't think it would have come out much different in whichever language I expressed it.

I love bearing witness that this church is true. That it was restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. And that through this church, we have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the priesthood!!! And most importantly, every moment of every day we are living for eternity. That's a very special conocimiento to have. That I can live in the presence of Heavenly Father again...With my family.

Since Hna C and I already knew we would be companions. We totally made fun of the newbies and their trainers the next day when they all received their new companions and assigned areas. We both put on surprised looks on our faces and jumped up and hugged each other as if it was the first time we´d ever met. I stretched my arms out, as if in shock, and exclaimed, "Noo! En serio?!" with eyes wide open and a big smile on my face. It was quite the entertainment for the rest heheh. Because the President proceeded to explain that we had already been working together for three weeks prior heheh. Me and Hna C are good actresses. It was fun. Uhmm, and yes. I have been here 4 weeks today in Ecuador! Quuueee?? Scary how quickly the time lapses when every day there's so much to learn and do.

We are teaching a family right now called the Cr family. They are less active. The two boys are very animated and willing to learn and go to church with us. But, we have been teaching them out on the street. The mom is very cold and curt. For the last 3-4 months, Hna C had been trying to befriend them and help her to confide in the missionaries. But every time, she said she couldn't speak, and closed the door immediately. For the first time last week, she smiled as we spoke and joked with her at the doorway. YEAH!! Then, this week, she let us in her home to speak with her. AHAHHH! She is beginning to confide in us...but why?

Jeffrey R Holland said, "More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more....If we listen with love, we won't need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us -- by the Spirit and by our friends."

Why, for 3 or more months, had she never before opened up to the missionaries? Why would she close the door without a second thought? What is the difference between then and now?

I'll share a little secret. Then first time I was with Hna C and we knocked on the door, her young son answered. We discovered that it was his birthday the day before. We wished him happy birthday, then we left. The next time we knocked, we had a little cake to give them, wished him a happy birthday again, then left. The next day, the boys were excited to see us standing at the door when we knocked. They heard the first lesson of the Restoration of the Gospel. Again and again after that, they were receiving the lessons at the door, or seated outside with us on the sidewalk. Every once in a while, we'd give them a little lollipop or high-five...something simple. They began to confide in us. 

The same thing happened with their mother. As she began to see her sons enthusiastic about reading the assignments we gave them in the Book of Mormon, and excited to hear the discussions, she began the soften. But only a little.

Then, we started appearing less like baptizing robots, and more and more like people. Young, single 21-22 year olds from different lands, with different personalities, who only wanted to share a message. A message that would change her life as it had ours. We spoke of how we dressed. We commented on her hair. We made jokes about how I have to sleep with one eye open so Hna C doesn't attack me at night. We offered service and our number any time she might need it. She was very closed and private, and she didn't seem interested in that offer. But it was there nonetheless. 

I really believe that she let us in her house Saturday day because of what Elder Holland said. We didn't go to her door just to talk at her, but to understand her. We went a little at a time and slowly gained her confidence. She began to see us as representatives of Jesus Christ, there to help her live in the light of the gospel. And not just because she is a glistening number in our books. 

People can feel the difference. If we really care or not. There's a quote I've liked for a long time that goes something like, "There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story." 

That evening we spent a good hour in her one-room, humble home. And as we expressed Heavenly Father's love and purpose for her and her family, she felt it. And a miracle happened. Her non-member sister and her two daughters appeared at the door, heard the message as well, gave Hna C and I two heart balloons for V-Day, and accepted to come to church with us the next morning. 

We didn't have any baptisms this week. The one we had fell through when the investigator changed his mind 10 minutes after the baptismal service was scheduled to start. It was hard for Hna C and me, including that President and Hna Richardson were there to see ours and another baptism. But, Hna C and I got down on our knees, thanked Heavenly Father for the opportunity to learn and do better, and got up and went back to work. Probably with more desire than before. That, my friends, is when Hna Cr let us into her home. And when we met M, her sister.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. But, in every instance, He will lead us by the hand and bless us if we are willing to do His will. 

The two girls of this new family (P family), held my and Hna C's hands all the way to church. If we had to let go for an instance to pass a tree or pole, they immediately reached up for our hands again. It was a comfort, a thrill, and a humbling experience. 

There are people who are ready to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that, by listening, loving, and seeking opportunities to learn, we may let the Lord in our lives to more explicitly show us the way. His way.

Dude. Didn't mean to focus on that one experience. There are other things that happened too. Including a romantic Valentine's Day lunch with Hna C, learning how to cook Corbiches (WHY HAVE WE NEVER EATEN THEM BEFORE? THEY´RE DELICIOUS. hehe), breathing in way too much car fumes, and playing the piano at church yesterday.

The more I am here, the more people I come to know, the more I can see the positives and negatives....the more I love it. We were taking a taxi somewhere and I almost pulled out my camera to take a picture of...the smell. Uhm. I chuckled to myself and put the camera away. Silly me.

Love you all! The poor gringos here are lobsters because we live so close to the sun. It's funny.

Oh, one last story...heheh. Translating phrases from English to Spanish can be quite difficult. It just doesn't come out the same.  I tried to tell Hna C that we had to brainstorm ideas to help our ward become more unified and to find more investigators. Brainstorm translated into "Lluvia de cerebros." HAHAHAH Nope. Also, a gringo tried to say ´they were talking trash about...´but translated, it was "ellos estaban hablando basura..." and none of the latinos had a clue why we talk so weird in America....:P hahahah.

Love you all! Thank you for all that you do! I love your emails, and I love you! 

Sorry I write so much! I just love the life I am living right now and every detail matters. Because I see the Lord in every detail! It is such a blessing, and so true for each of us! :D

Week 3 in Ecuador! "Hermana Ferrrr"‏

From 2/10/14

Those pictures of Emma almost knocked me out of my seat! I pretty much announced to the entire computer store that I had the most beautiful sobrina, and my companion agreed hahah.

Well, remember last week how I had my face smashed in a torta (cake) for my one-month mission anniversary? Well, that got to happen two more times this week. heheh We counted, and from last Saturday to this Saturday that just passed, we've partaken of a total of 7 tortas in one week! Almost 8, but that one accidentally got burned in the oven and we never ate it heheh. Two for baptisms, three for both my birthday and anniversary, and 1 for my companion (Hna "C"), who celebrated her 9-month mark on the 8th. Soooo much cakkke. We had barrigas afterward every time, but still had to face the feat of conquering those dang hills afterward. Thank goodness for those hills though, because if not I would be an Oompa Loompa right now.

Remember how "A" was baptized last week? Well, in the photo I sent, there's a picture of a young man with a shirt that says "Just Do It." His name is "M", and he's their brother visiting from the coast. That day in that picture was his first exposure to the church ever. Hna C and I took advantage and gave him a tour of the chapel. Let me tell you. The spirit in the church speaks for itself. And after, we gave him an invitation to simply sit in the sacrament room for a little while and pray to know for himself if this is the true church. He did and came out only minutes later, with a very concerned, yet serene look on his face haha. We asked what he felt. He responded that he felt like his heart was completely filled. M is only 14 years old. What courage to be able to complete and acknowledge an invitation like that. We taught him the commandments that very day, and the First Restoration the next day. And he immediately accepted the invitation to be baptized. Under special circumstances, President Richardson gave us the permission to have M baptized the very next week, so that his older brother W (also in the last picture), who received the sacerdocio the Sunday before, would be able to baptize him.

So Saturday, M was baptized by his older brother, W. Without having a perfect knowledge of things, but having a confirmation of the Holy Ghost that there is something about this church that is no less than true and complete. And that is all he needed to know. I love the look on their faces as they completed the ordinance and stepped out of the freezing cold baptismal waters. There was something powerful about this experience this week. And miracles continue to abound.

As servants of the Lord, I know there is power in what we say and what we do. And the only difference between me and you is that I am able to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ as His representative. Anything else I do is the same, because the Spirit has the same influence whether it comes through me or you or anyone else. It's the Lord's work, and His will. And I know that the more I am able to prepare myself and fill my cup, the more the Spirit will be able to access the things the investigator or members need to hear through me. And I love having that role and confidence.

This week, on my birthday in fact, Hna C and I went on divisions with the Hermana Lideres. I was very stressed about it because I didn't know if I was ready. I didn't feel as if I knew the area well enough to go off on my own in a different companionship. And I didn't know if I needed to be the one to lead the lessons or if she would help me....stresss. But, I cleansed my mind with the reminder that I am on the Lord's errand, and, with confidence in Him, I would not fail. I was very calm when the time came, and although we did get a little lost in my sector, we made it to an appointment with the above-said gentlemen. And guess what! I started and led about 70% of the discussion. Holy Smokes. What a blessing to know that, once again, if we open our mouths, they will be filled.

I love the scripture: "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." I definitely treasure and delight the words of life, which is this word: the Word of God. And I feel it in my heart continually. So, knowing that, coupled with knowing that the Spirit makes all things possible, miracles and blessing like this are bound to happen. 

And I am so grateful that, though nerve-racking, I was able to experience that! Since then, I have been more confident in speaking in whatever instance, with whomever. People at the store? No biggie. Asking for something? Sure. Conversing with my companion? A cinch. heheh Telling stories is still somewhat of a feat, but it's getting there heheh.

The morning of my birthday, I woke up swimming in a pool of balloons on my bed. They had attributes written on them that Hna C said that I possessed. We went to "N M's" house to eat torta and get my head smashed in cake. Then we had a mini zone conference where myself and another Sister got our heads smashed in cake (again). And for lunch, we had delicious lasagna that a less active family made. Lasagna is a rare treat here, and they didn't even know it was my birthday! It was a very special and lovely day, filled with little surprises. Hermana C was very sneaky doing a lot of these little things for me :)

We spend a lot of time in the M-family home. N is the 18 year old who is recently reactivating in the church....and thank goodness for that! We see her pretty much every day, helping us with the investigators. And her boyfriend, C, is also so involved with the missionary work here that I am awestruck. He is the motivational speaker who makes me want to go out and conquer the world after having a little bit of training from him.

Also in the M home, Mother M. She is very rough and hardened, but is starting to open up to the missionaries. She painted my nails yesterday. That's cool. She is very blunt. She knows so much about the church, and little by little is beginning to trust us. By a miraculous turn of events, she (of her own volition) has invited (aka demanded) that we eat lunch at her house every Sunday from now on. Wow. By small and simple things, eh. 

She calls me Hermana Ferr. Because Fernelius, like Ash said, is always a feat to be able to say correctly here. Most people don't even try hahah. They all think it's Italian too, which is weird. But I correct them, because I love my last name and the origin behind it.

Mother M keeps teasing me. She told me she was going to make cuy (guinea pig) for lunch yesterday. When I arrived, I was pleased to find their hamster still in the box and alive. Because the thought did cross my mind....anyway. The hamster was still alive. I played with him.

Their daughter, H, is 5ish and a wild child! She is so dang cute though. She calls me all sorts of things. It started with "Hermana Franchangcha", then "Hermana Frankenstein", and now she switches between "Hermana Ferr" and "Hermana Sophie." None of us have any idea where she got "Sophie" from hahaha. Wild child, I swear. But she is definitely my friend.

This week we also started something called "Fe de febrero" which brings "milagros de marzo". It's like a competition between all 10 zones in this mission. Each companionship needs to select something to sacrifice to demonstrate our faith and give room for opportunities and miracles. Hna C and I decided to set our goal to wake up at 5:30 every morning. Crazzzzy, yes I know. Because every night my eyes are purple from tiredness. But I believe in miracles. And I love a good challenge. Our week is as follows for the next two months:

Sunday - 5:30am - read Preach my Gospel and the Book of Mormon

Monday - 5:30am - memorize the articles of faith (her in English and me in Spanish)

Tuesday - 5:30am - read a talk on missionary work

Wednesday - 5:30am - Sing and study a hymn from the hymnbook

Thursday - 5:30am - memorize "The Living Christ" (in Spanish of course. it's a challenge from the mission president for each of us to memorize El Cristo Viviente)

Friday - 5:30am - study a talk from the general conference

Saturday - 5:30am - write down and share spiritual experiences from the week and then go running at our regular exercise time of 6:30.

We are machineeees! At least, that's what our mission president told us today when we saw him in Quito Central -- at the mission office heheh. We usually go there for mail and materials on P-Days.

There are so many things I am still trying to observe and understand, so that eventually I can take more initiative and be a better missionary. The culture here is a little different. Time means very little. I don't like being late, but everything here runs on an inconsistent and unreliable clock. It has potential to be frustrating, be I don't let it get to that point. Because I know there's always something I can be doing to take advantage of the time. Whether it's trying to find new people on the streets to teach, pulling out reading material, building rapport with the people we are with....there's always some way to make up for seemingly lost time. And I am grateful Heavenly Father is mindful of that - the cultural barriers hehe. 

Another thing, remember my cartoony drawings? Hna C can't get enough of them hahahah. We created a little calendar to keep track of the week's events, and I drew little characters on the special days (birthdays and such). I drew one picture of Hna C smashing N's face in a torta, much like she did to me on my birthday. And a picture of C with his hands in his face saying "Hiiijole!" and "Noooo puess!" in his little voice. He says those two expressions quite often and we make fun of him for it heheh. 

Me and my companion have so much fun together. She told me something that stuck with me. As I was showing them pictures of Ashley on my camera from the MTC, she commented that my smiles in the pictures looked 'familiar' to her. Hna C has a special gift much like Mom as far as dreams and feeling things goes. She explained later that it wasn't because I looked like someone she knew, but because she knew it was divinely directed. It was a special tender mercy to me to be able to once again see the Lord in the details of my life, confirming then again that I am in the right place, doing what He needs of me at this time in my life. What a comfort and a blessing! Also, I haven't mentioned this yet, but I got the weirdest deja vu feeling when I moved into our house. It all seemed so familiar. Creeeepy :P. No mentira. It was very reassuring, actually.

This week I have three days worth of training with the rest of my group who are coming from the Mexico MTC. So, that means I'll get to know them and the rules of the mission a little bit better. I came at an odd time in between transfers, so I finally get that training with the rest of my group. Just to think -- I would JUST NOW be arriving from the MTC. Whoooosh. I am so glad that the sequence of events that allowed me these three extra weeks in Ecuador happened when it did. What a blessing.

So this week should be different...and fun.

Love you all! Take care of yourselves! 

Thank you for all that you do and are. I wouldn't be me without you.

Love, Hermana Ferrr

Updates...

Please be patient while I work on getting Tiffany's mission blog updated.  It's going to take some time, but I will try to update several posts each week until we are all caught up.  My apologies...

Tracy Fernelius (Tiffany's dad)