The Prophet came to Ecuador!

Buenas mis amigos y familia!

Last Monday we had our pday shortened because we had the awesome opportunity to travel to Quito and hear our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson speak. Elder Falabella and his wife, Elder Quentin L. Cook and his wife also spoke. I was feeling sick so had to rush out but I was able to hear Elder Cook and his wife's talks. They talked about how things don't always go the way we planned but we need to endure to the end and strive constantly to do our best so that we can receive of the blessings God has for us. After them, Sister Nelson spoke, followed by her husband. She talked about revelation and how we can better receive revelation if we ask for his guidance and act on the answers we receive. Later President Nelson spoke and instead of having someone translate he spoke in Spanish. Hearing from the members in our ward it was really cool for them. Overall it was an uplifting experience. We were also able to bring two people we are teaching with us and they enjoyed it as well. After the event we found Elder Dorsey and his companion and went to their house to sleep for the night. I was still super sick and on top of that had to sleep on the floor so didn't sleep too well.

Waiting for the Prophet

Mini Missionary Reunion

Gerardo, a member from our ward, soon to be missionary

 Tuesday, which just felt like a longer Monday. was spent in Zone Conference. I was assigned to give a spiritual thought from the Book of Mormon which I was ok with until I got up to talk and forgot all my Spanish! Later we were introduced to new senior couples that are serving in the mission. After Zone Conference we stopped at McDonalds for ice cream and fries and then went home. On the bus ride home I lost my name tag so now I don't have my magnet one and the other one only works well on shirts with pockets so I have been dealing with that, jaja.

Ambato Zone

Wednesday we ate with Bishop for lunch and then had a lesson with mama Avila so we went to her local a little early. The minute I walked in she new I was sick and told me to go buy the medicine that Hna. Barlow had told me to buy. Took those but of course it isn't going to help right away so during the lesson I could not focus at all and Elder Padilla wasn't taking charge like he usually does so the lesson started very late but at least we put them on date to be baptized so we are excited for them! Afterward we went on splits and the lesson we were going to fell through because the family forgot about it so we headed to English class early. I was not a big help though because I was in the bathroom most the time. When we got home I drank coke and some sort of tea thing because those are what every Ecuadorian recommends and then asked my companion for a priesthood blessing, which he gladly did.

Mama Avila made these for us!

Thursday I woke up not feeling too much better but finally got up to shower. When I got out my companion was still sleeping and long story short got to District Meeting a little late. I didn't eat anything because eating made my stomach worse so by lunch I was dying but of starvation instead. We left to Latacunga and met up with the guy from SLC who was going to send stuff home for me. Then we ate lunch with mama Avila and I could only eat the soup, and left the plate of rice and chicken. We were late for a lesson so had to rush there and didn't have a lot of time so didn't teach a lesson and just left a pamphlet and then rushed to another lesson with a reference from a member. He is her nephew and super cool. He seems super solid and once he can come to church and receive an answer that this Church is true he will be baptized. Today we talked a lot about conversion and how we receive our answers and how everyone needs a testimony, we are not just members by tradition. I encourage each and everyone of you to ask the Lord for an answer if this Church is His or not, if Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the Church. I testify that you will receive an answer by the power of the Holy Ghost which will testify of truth through thoughts and feelings. I encourage you to pay special attention to your thoughts and feelings and know that you will receive an answer through them that Joseph Smith was called of God, and because he was called of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true Church and contains the fullness of the gospel and also that the Book of Mormon is true. Whether you have already received an answer or not, I promise that as you pray with a sincere desire to know the truth it will be given unto you as a confirmation or reconfirmation of the truth.

Friday did weekly planning in the morning. Afterward we went to a cyber to take out reference and print out some records. Then we went and taught Brayan. He accepted to be baptized on the 7th of September so we are excited for that. Then later I bought a waffle for dinner but it wasn't too good so it just made me miss waffles at home jaja.

Saturday we ate out for breakfast and then ate lunch. Then we went to mama Avila's and helped her in her local until correlation meeting. In correlation meeting we talk about our investigators and how the ward can help. Right after we were supposed to have a baptism, one of an 8 yr old girl and the other of an investigator but the member family showed up an hour late. They were both baptized and then we went to the families' house and had a party but of course as missionaries we couldn't stay long.

Sunday had church like normal and testimony meeting was good. Later we came home and studied then went to lunch with familia Arcos which is always fun. Afterward we went contacting and found a less active who works as a nurse and doesn't have Sundays off so she can't go to church but she told us she wanted to. We talked to her a little bit more and gave her a Book of Mormon because she had lost hers, then headed to a noche de hogar at mama Avilas. We had invited a lot of our investigators and recent converts but none came so that was sad, but besides that it was fun. We played King and Queen where the object of the game is to be King and I was king the whole time! This transfer has gone by really fast, one more week and its over! I can't believe it, but I am so grateful for the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord that I see every day! This is the work of the Lord and I am so blessed to work along side him.

Les quiero mucho!

Elder Tolman