Estoy aqui en Ecuador

Que mas mis amigos y familia!

I hope everyone's week was amazing and that you all were able to see the Lord's hand, helping you throughout the week. For me this week was crazy, but I know that through it all the Lord was watching over me and although things didn't go as I had planned it, I know that

He was in control the whole time and I am so grateful for that testimony of Him that I have!

To start off, Monday I was supposed to leave to go to Ecuador. We left the house and went to the Stake Center to say goodbye to a few Elders, and then that is when I realized I forgot my visa at home so we had to go back and get it. I ended up missing the baggage check in and had to wait in a line to see if I could still get my bags on. I got super anxious and stuff and felt like I was going to pass out. I laid down so I wouldn't and long story short the paramedics came and told me I couldn't fly and so my flight got rescheduled for Tuesday. Once the paramedics left this, Chilean dude was staring at me and came over and gave me some sort of blessing in Spanish. I had just got one from my companions before we left to the airport and while I was grateful for this man who cared enough to try and help, I know that he did not have the correct authority because the feelings I felt during it compared to that from my companions was completely different.

Last ride with these 2!

So after all that crazy stuff, I went home to try again on Tuesday. We got to the airport super early this time and everything went smooth. Met up with Elder Spangler and Tall from the MTC and a few other elders from Elder Tall's mission in Idaho. We left from Atlanta to Quito but when we got there, some volcanic ash was in the air so we couldn't land. We flew back to Panama, waited for a bit and then tried again. We slept over at the AP's house and got to bed close to 4am. Then we woke up around 8am the next day to go to our first devotional where we met our companions. I got Elder Dorsey from Idaho. We are like the only double gringo companionship. Everyone here calls us gringo and I don't like it!

Thursday we had like a 3 hour bus ride to our area called Latacunga. Its about an hour and a half from Ambato which is where our district meetings are. There is us and one other companionship in our district. The other two are both from Lima Peru. Their names are Elder Gutierrez and Caloma. They're super cool and I can tell this is going to be a fun transfer. Elder Dorsey is the district leader and he is training me. Everything is going well here. We had two families they were teaching before I got here. One family is on date for baptism on Saturday 29th. The other we are working on getting them married. We have found a ton of less actives and have been working with them to come back to church and have found a few new people. All in all the work is the same. We are teaching repentance and baptizing converts to help all of God's children return to live with him. There are a lot of interesting people here and the culture and everything is so different here. I am so blessed to have grown up in the United States!

Cake a member made!

My awesome phone I get to use while I'm here

I hope you all are going to have a great week and I am always praying for you!

Les quiero mucho!

Elder Tolman

Greetings from Ecuador

Dear Brother and Sister Tolman,

We are letting you know that your son has arrived safely to the Quito Ecuador Mission.  We can tell that he is a wonderful young man and we are so happy that he has joined our army of missionaries.  He was assigned a trainer yesterday, Elder Dorsey, who is a great missionary and who will train your son well.  You will hear more from him next Monday, his P-day.  We are excited to be serving with your son.

We would like to introduce ourselves.  We have been serving as President and wife since July 1st of 2017.  We have five children - two married, one who just returned from a mission in Texas, and our youngest two (ages 16 and 18) are here with us in Ecuador.

We have a facebook page for the mission, Steven-Christina Barlow.  We also have a blog with the same pictures, quitoecuadormission.blogspot.com.  

Just another quick reminder about sending packages and letters that was given to your son when he received his call:

"Sending Letters from the U.S. to Ecuador 

Use the same address as for packages. 

Sending Packages from the U.S. to Ecuador 

Packages sent from the U.S. to Ecuador may not exceed 8 pounds and must carry a green sticker, even if the post office workers suggest you use a white one. It must have this customs declaration on the package, or it will not be accepted in this country. 

The packages must be addressed as follows: 

Elder/Sister: Full name 

Misión Ecuador Quito 

Calle Robles E4-151 y Avenida Amazonas 

Casilla: 17-03-078

Quito, Pichincha 

Ecuador

Do not send packages by Priority mail or FedEx or UPS. These will automatically go to “mail jail”, requiring a special trip to the post office and payment of a large fee. All of which, will cause a long delay for your missionary to receive their packages. 

We are finding that letters and packages take about 1-3 months to arrive.

Some parents  have also used “mission on the fly” to send packages (you can google it to find more info).

We know it is fun to get packages, but it is VERY expensive to send and receive them. Another option is to just deposit some extra fun money into their personal account. Almost everything can be bought here that we find in the states. 

Attached you will find pictures of your son's arrival, with all of the arriving missionaries, with us and with his new trainer.  

We thank you for sharing your son and we know that the Lord will bless him and your family for his service.   

Sincerely, 

President and Sister Barlow

Voy a Ecuador!

Hola mis amigos y familia! Espero que todo está bien con ustedes. Tuve una semana loca pero voy a tratar de escribir un poco menos que usualmente escribo para describirlo.

Lunes: we went bowling and then to the flea market. I won our bowling games and bought a Puerto Rican flag at the flea market. Then we went to the Stake Center with all the other missionaries and hung out for my last pday here! Then for dinner we went to a member’s house but they got home half an hour after we got there so we didn't have dinner but just ended up teaching a lesson to the member and her non-member friend.

 

Bowling scores

Martes: companions dropped me off at the Mission Office so they could take me to the airport to fly to  Phoenix to get my visa. Long story short the flight got delayed like 5 times and I was at the airport till 10pm until I told the Mission Office to just come pick me up and take me home. 

Miércoles: did service at the castle at Give Kids the World but it started to rain so not a lot of people came. Stopped by a referral and taught the Restoration. It went super well!

Jueves: had last district council and tried to go to Phoenix again. I skyped in on a lesson while at the airport. This time my flight wasn't delayed. I arrived and stayed at a senior couple’s house till 9pm and then they dropped me off at some elders apartment for the night.

Last District Council

 Viernes: went to the consulate and got my visa. I taught a guy I was sitting next to on the way home. I was super tired tho! 

Sabado: ate with a family we are teaching. They are Puerto Rican and said if I didn't come for dinner nobody would get it. Lol. We taught about the Book of Mormon and that went super well. Also made some super cool connections with the family!

 Domingo: said goodbye to all the members and ate dinner with the Calderons. Super good food. Then came home to pack! Ah! 

Dinner with the Calderons

I want you all to know that I am so grateful for this time I have had in Florida! It was tough at first, but I know I was here for a reason. The love I have grown for these people in my short time here is crazy! The Lord works miracles and I see them every day! I challenge you all to look for His hand in your lives. Something that has helped me do this is keeping a journal and writing in it every night reflecting on my day. Doing this is so cool! I challenge you all to do it and then email me any cool experiences you have however big or small. I will be waiting! 

Les quiero mucho! 

Elder Tolman

The Prophet Came!

Hola, que pasa mis amigos!

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to the Amway Center where President Nelson, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Bowen, and their wives spoke. It was so awesome! They all talked about revelation and the gathering of Israel as well as keeping our homes church centered. First quote from President Nelson: "If you want to be miserable, break the commandments and don't repent." Satan wants us to be miserable but if we read scriptures daily we can receive the strength we need to overcome his temptations. President Nelson made so many promises to us and I can't include them all here or this would be a Super long email! I know that President Nelson is called of God and is the only living person on the earth to exercise all the priesthood keys and gain revelation for the world. I know that as we follow him and the counsel he receives from our Father in Heaven we will be led along the strait and narrow path and rejoice together in the glorious gospel. I love each and every one of you and I pray for you all that you can find joy and happiness as you strive to live the gospel as our Savior did!

Tuesday we had district council and interviews with President Clark. Then we had to bike to Felix's house to move his things. He is able to be released from the hospital now but he had no place to stay. Pray for him. Came home and showered did studies and daily contact and went off to English class and after that to a referral we had who turned out to be very less active member.

What my arm looks like after a bike ride to Felix's

We did service at GKTW on Wednesday and went to some appointments who weren't home so we left to Bishop's and had a Pizzilla and then after dinner we left to our return appointment with the Zone Leader Referral. Turns out he is from Puerto Rico so he gave me some homemade sofrito and is going to make us food on Thursday (if I'm here)

We had exchanges Thursday and I led out our area for then first time. It was me and Elder Moore, one of the Zone Leaders. We did studies all morning and then left to go finding. While we were there is started pouring rain really bad and we had biked and were now walking. We got really wet as we found cover and then had to call the other Elders to pick us up. It was super funny. Then we went to our dinner appointment. They live in a gated community so we had to pass by the guard. Long story short, Elder Moore got his info and gave him a Resto pamphlet so they might be teaching him. Dinner, they made food typical of Quito Ecuador. We had Monte, Choclo, Habas, Papas, Arroz, y Fritada. And also a juice called Naranjilla. It was all super good. They told me how the weather is like there and how they talk, what slang they used. Before we knew it we were there for 2 hours so had to leave to grab pizza for the other Elders and to grab our abandoned bikes.

Me and Elder Moore in the pouring rain!

Quito food at Diaz and Dannelly house

Friday helped a member move and then they gave us Subway. Helped set up decorations for Father's Day ward party and then ate with Londoños. Then had a super good lesson with Suni and then went to another ZL referral, named Jose. Taught him and came home and exchanged with district leader.

Saturday it was me Elder Jensen and Elder Lester. Both of them are going home this transfer so there was a lot of going home talk. We had breakfast with familia Rangel. Then went to some appointments where no one answered. While at one of them we saw some people moving some things into their house so we went and helped them. They were super grateful. Then we found one other person and made a return appointment. Then went to Father's Day party and Suni came. We were super excited and had lots of fun. This time we left before the music got too crazy which was sad but probably better. That ended our exchange.

Sunday went to Church. It was super hot in the chapel so everyone was dying. Then a member from the English ward grabbed me and took me to his Uber driver and told the guy I speak really good English and I can answer all his questions. I barely understood what he said but I think he wanted to come to Church with his wife so I ran back inside and grabbed Elder Fox to write down our info on a card and gave it to him. After that went home and studied until it was time to go to the Amway Center. We got there super early and had to wait forever. Afterwards I saw Elder Oren who was Connor's MTC companion. His Spanish is way good. It was awesome to see him there!

By the way I got an email that am leaving sometime this week to go to the Ecuador Consulate in Arizona where I will get my visa and then fly back to Florida and leave for Ecuador on the 17th. Still haven't got confirmation info yet but so excited!

Free Food!

Hola mis amigos y familia!Espero que su semana fue muy bien!

Some fun stuff happened this week but before we get into that I want to share a scripture. 2 Nephi 2:1-2 is Lehi talking to his son Jacob. He says:

1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.

2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

I know the Lord let's us go through trials so that we can gain a testimony and relationship with Him. Others may cause us sorrow but as we keep in mind the goodness of God and strive to follow the example of His son Jesus Christ, our afflictions will not tear us down but will be for our gain and eventually we will have a spot in our Father's kingdom. I am so grateful for this knowledge and the Book of Mormon that was translated by Joseph Smith through the gift and power of God, and for the spirit I feel each time I read the book. I know this is His restored church and His work to gather His children and I am soooo grateful to be a part of it!

Monday after pday ended we originally had 3 lessons but two canceled and then one wasn't home but her mom answered and so now we have a return appointment with both of them. After that on our way home we went to get Subway and I forgot my wallet so Elder Jensen was just going to pay for me. We walked in and waved to this guy not thinking anything of it. As we ordered food he came up and gave 20 bucks to the person making our food and said I got them then walked out. I think his name was Eddie. We got FREE Subway! So thankful for that guy! Then on our ride home we were stopped at a light and this drunk guy runs up to Elder Fox and yells move! Elder Fox just says OK then moves. This guy kept harassing us and swearing then would go out to the street and hold up a sign for a few minutes then come back. There was this black guy sitting close by who was probably a friend or something and this white guy goes up to his friend and is like hey you want a bike, I got three right here come steal them! We legit thought we were about to get jumped. The Black guy responded "you leave these people alone. These good people. You don't even know. They good people." After that the white guy came over and slapped Elder Jensen's back tire and then started harassing us some more. He said from a white man to another white man do you have a cigarette or anything you could give me. Of course we offered a Book of Mormon. Then the black guy had enough of it and came over. The white guy then yelled at us to beat up this black man and Elder Jensen is like I don't think we will do that. I thought those two drunk guys were going to start throwing punches but they didn't. The light finally turned green so we could cross but then the black guy wanted to tell us his life story so we had to kindly tell him we needed to go as the countdown hit 1. Whoops!

Tuesday we had apartment checks and we had everything cleaned super good. Then after we went to Keke's to eat lunch with a member. On our way a member swung the door open to this Chinese place we were passing and asked if we needed food. We thanked him but told him we were on our way for another member to feed us. That was crazy to have happened two days in a row! Then after lunch and studies we went out finding. We didn't get any return appointments but this one lady turned us away and as we were leaving she started to tear up. We were very confused and quickly said goodbye but then felt like we should have stayed so we returned and left a card with our number on it. Summer is starting to suck it is sooooooooo hot!!

Wednesday served at GKTW. I was a shuttle driver so I drove a golf cart around all day. My left arm got burnt but my other didn't, then later went to Jenny and Michael's. They fed us and then we taught a lesson and said goodbye to their kids because they are leaving out of town for a month so Elder Jensen will not see them again before he leaves for home. Then we got ice cream on our way home!

Thursday had district meeting and prepared our training just before it because we forgot. Then Elder Fox went with the Poinciana Elders for exchanges so it was just me and Elder Jensen. Elder Jensen had an appointment and while he was in it the Portuguese Elders stopped by and kept me company. After his appointment we went finding and made a return appointment with a Venezuelan named Loa and with this guy named Oscar (first Argentine I have met besides bishops wife). It was so cool how we met them. Definitely spirit led.

Friday we had to do weekly planning. Then we went out finding and made return appointments with three people. Then went and saw one of our friends we are teaching. He is in the hospital and going through a lot right now. Shared Alma 7:11 with him. That and dinner took a lot longer than we thought so we missed some appointments.

Saturday our Stake was doing a youth conference and they asked us to dress in normal clothes and act as investigators for the youth. The youth were missionaries for three days so they were assigned a companion and a district and a mission president. They stayed at their mission president's house and had to follow missionary rules. They all loved it and they did pretty good at teaching us the restoration. We got free food from it too! Then had to stop buy a place to get an estimate on getting our car fixed because the Zone Leaders got into a minor accident with it. We went to a lesson with Adrian and Rosa and the Clavels but had to leave early to get to our dinner. We got a call an hour later from Hermana Clavel saying they had finally left. I think they are best friends now. On our way to dinner it started to rain so bad you couldn't see.

All of us missionary investigators at youth conference

Rained so hard we couldn't see

Sunday we had ward council. After we met Loa again and talked for a bit. Got to know her more and planned another day to come back. Then saw Felix with Hermano Londoño again. He is doing better. Then came home and made lots of food because we were starving.

Les quiero mucho. Que dios les bendiga!
Elder Tolman