The Best Two Years!: Last week in Ecuador

Hola mis amigos y familia!

This week was a super sad week as I found out that I would be returning home. I am now writing this email from my basement because I have to be in isolation, so everyone doesn't die from coronavirus jaja. Don't worry I don't have it. 😉

So, at the beginning of the week I was waking up early every morning to get to the office early to start buying flights and sending them to parents. We had our zone leaders at our house because their house flooded and as the week went on more and more missionaries came over. We were trying to get every missionary serving far away from Quito into Quito early so they could get to the airport easier. So Wednesday and Thursday we had missionaries traveling to and leaving the offices. I was super busy and really didn't have time to think which was good for me. I had other missionaries asking a billion questions, most of which I didn't have an answer to, and that was also stressful jaja. I mentioned it was good to not be able to think before, because every night I would get home and have a panic attack, knowing that I would be going home soon. One night it was super bad and I didn’t know what to do. I was praying so hard for help when I thought to look in the scriptures. I read a verse and then had a thought to share it with our recent converts. I was surprised to find all my stress and anxiety swept away and I only felt love for those around me. I didn't want to leave and asked my president to do everything he could to help me stay. He was going to buy my plane ticket last, but then Thursday morning we got info that all missionaries had to leave by Friday, that is all the North Americans had to leave by Friday. I had to pack all my bags, but the catch is that our carry on could only be 10 lbs and our check on bag 30lbs. So, I left a suitcase in Ecuador! My last day I was balling for more than half of it as I frantically tried to get as much work done as possible before throwing it all on the new secretary who had no clue what he was doing.

We got in a taxi and on our way found out our flight had been cancelled and that our travel leader would be taking a separate flight. So then I was in charge of our big group and had to deal with a bunch of questions all over again, but I was happy for it because I had to do something to keep me busy and away from thinking about myself. We eventually got to Miami where members were waiting there with krispy kreme donuts and directed us to a hotel to sleep the night. The next morning at 10 left to go to the airport to fly to Atlanta and later to Salt Lake.

I am so very grateful for my time I had in Ecuador and all the amazing people I met, all the friendships I made, my time there has changed me greatly and I miss the country and the people so much! I know that the Lord watches over each one of us and everything that happens is for our good. I trust in Him, His timing, and His plan and that has brought me comfort through this difficult change!

I love you all and hope each one of you are well!

Cuidense mucho!
Elder Tolman