Week 12 Pictures

Decorations for Sister Narvaez's Birthday

Singing Happy Birthday to Sister Narvaez...

who was not there for her party because she was transferred back to Quito.

Showing the wonderful dessert.

Sister Molinar's favorite hamburger joint!

Street where favorite hamburger joint is located... I believe.

Megan's favorite pictures... of food!

Sister Megan Lynn together again with Sister Molinar!

Do you think they are happy to be together again?

Week 12 The Tale of Two Gimpies Continues!

Hola mis familia y amigos!

I say this all the time but in all seriousness, where does the time go?? The time flies by! This week was a little frustrating, I will not lie. I had an appointment in Quito with a doctor and did not like my news I got... And I am with Hrma. Molinar once again and we have been working really hard this week!

Tuesday

Our mamita told us that we could not come until 2, so we tried contacting out in Pifo. The only problem is there is no one there! It was kind of frustrating but then we stopped by a lady, named Olga, who Hrma. Narvaez and I had contacted the previous week. The lesson went amazing and she was crying by the end saying how this is what she had been looking for for a long time. It is amazing how the Spirit guides us to the people who are ready to accept the gospel.

Wednesday

Quito... Ohhhh Quito... That place is going to have some bad memories. On the way to Quito, I was telling Hrma. Molinar about my experience in the CCM and how I fought with the doctors. She did not believe me. We got to my appointment and I got in an argument with the doctor. The whole time we were there, Hrma. Molinar kept saying how I needed to be nice to the doctor. After an MRI, it has been determined that I have a slight tear in my meniscus. I do not need surgery right away but eventually I will have to get surgery :P yuck!

Thursday

After our zone meeting, I got a blessing from El. Leifer and El. Anderton, my zone leaders. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and how I can always ask for a blessing and the elders are always willing to give them. We had lunch with Hrma. Torres and I love her cooking! She made us a really good jello with pineapple for Hrma. Narvaez´s birthday. Yes, we celebrated Hrma Narvaez´s birthday without her.

Friday

We spent all of our companionship study organizing our people and who we would visit and when. We found a bunch of people last week that have a lot of potential, so we really had to get organized. We tried to visit our less active that lives out in El Vergel but she was not home. While waiting for the bus, one of the members in our branch was driving by and gave us a ride home. Blessings come when you try to work with the less actives. Our investigator, Olga, asked if we did anything besides visit people and preach the restored gospel of Christ, like study in the university. We told her that we study for 4 hours in the morning... of the scriptures! She laughed. It really is weird to think all I do is study, visit people, give service, and go to meetings, all to help others to find the light of Christ in their lives. I really love this work!

Saturday

Happy 4th of July! It is weird to think that I will not be celebrating the 4th of July for two years but hey, there are always people here shooting off fireworks all the time. Close enough right? We talked with a lady who told us that she was having visions of the end of the world and how New York was going to be destroyed. Great right? Sorry New York, she seemed pretty convinced...

Sunday

Sooo the Pope is in Ecuador. Not to sound mean or anything, I am sure he is a great guy, but he is a huge inconvenience. The road got shut down at noon, so we only had sacrament meeting today and an hour and a half of branch counsel. The buses are super packed and I bet Quito is crazy right now. He is also coming to Quinche (a town near Yaruquí), so it will be crazy here probably tomorrow.

Things are going really well here in Yaruquí! The work is progressing and we do not have enough hours in the day to get it all done! I hope you all have a great week and hope to hear from you soon!

Until next time, 

The Strawberry Blonde Hermana

Week 11 I like to change my companions every 3 weeks

Buenas tardes mi familia y amigos!

This week flew by way quick. I was talking with Hrma Narvaez on Friday and thought, woah, it is already Friday! Where did my week go?! Time really does fly when you are having fun!

Tuesday

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we go to work in Pifo, about 15 minutes away by bus. We tried a bunch of people but no one was home! So we decided to go to El Vergel to visit a less active but she was not home either! Darn it all! Haha we returned to Yaruquí and were able to visit with a bunch of families so the day was not a complete waste. 

Wednesday

It rained, it poured... All day... I actually really like the rain here, at least it has not been super heavy rain. We payed our bills and began working. We tried a bunch of people but they were not home, so we climbed Mount Yaruquí to find some of the people that we had contacted the previous week. We ended up talking to this sweet old lady who could not read but really liked how she felt with the things we talked about. While talking with her, her dog bit me! I got bit! It was not bad, I promise, just looks like a scratch. I made sure I cleaned it really well. Another appointment fell, so we visited with Isabel, the daughter of Marta. We talked about the plan of salvation. I love talking with Isabel! She is so funny. Later in the evening while walking to an appointment, I told Hrma Narvaez that I was craving french fries. The funny thing was that she was too! They were so good and we got to talk to Veronica a little bit. 

Thursday (4 month mark since I started my mission)

We had verification today which means we had to go to Quito... again... This time it took 2 hours in the bus because there was a huge protest in Quito and traffic was insane! We eventually got there... They took all the new missionaries to El Panecillo, a huge statue on a huge hill, and talked about how President Spencer W. Kimball had dedicated Ecuador for missionary work in October of 1965. Ecuador will have had missionaries present for 50 years in October, how cool is that!? While taking pictures, a group of tourists (high schoolers from Utah) came up to us and said they had been searching for missionaries all week and finally found some (or a ton!).It was fun to chat with them. Later in the evening back in Yaruquí, we went to visit a recent convert. She has the most beautiful home ever! It is a Spanish country style home complete with horses and ahh, be still my heart! I told her I was going to move here just to live in their home. They laughed and said I was welcomed to, sooooo I probably will not be coming back... ;) Afterwards, we had an appointment with Mariella and her son was able to get a blessing (he fell last week and got a huge cut on his face). I am so grateful that we have worthy priesthood holders here and that they are always willing to give blessings.

Friday

Yet another day in Quito... We had our usual district/zone meetings but two hermanas have finished their missions, so we got to listen to their testimonies. It was sad to know that they were going home but happy to know they had done a lot of good here. On the way home, there was an elderly couple from the states. I talked to them and they told me that they had decided to retire here in Ecuador. They were lost but I was able to help them. It was funny because I laughed as told Hrma Narvaez that I did not feel like the gringa (foreigner) anymore. 

Saturday

We were studying when we heard loud music outside. Apparently during the month of June here in Yaruquí, they celebrate San Pedro. The little ones from elementary school dress up in traditional Otavalian clothing and dance around. It was fun to watch. Later in the evening, we had a huge branch family home evening. It was so much fun. We had a short lesson about the Book of Mormon and then a scavenger hunt to get to know the chapel better. All put on by the missionaries! We even had some of our investigators attend. It was a blast!

Sunday

We went to Pifo to get an investigator, Ana. She does not like traveling to church by herself, so we went to travel with her. We also had another investigator, Maria, and her father, I call him Papi, come to church! They absolutely loved church! It was awesome! Usually after church, we have branch counsel but they were working on something, so it got cancelled. We ended up taking a bunch of pictures with members. They got scared because when the missionaries take lots of pictures, that means the transfers are coming... Yep, transfers. We had the feeling that we were not going to be transeferred (they do not like transferring the new missionary until after the first two transfers). Turns out, Hrma Narvaez got transferred. Hrma Molinar is considered to be strong enough to come back! I have my original trainer again! I was sad to see Hrma Narvaez go but I am excited to have Hrma Molinar back!

Shout out to my little brother for getting his mission call! He is going to the Pocatello Mission on August 11th! CAAAAAAARRAAAAZZZYYYY! 

My weeks are flying, I love these people with all my heart. So much has happened, can you believe I started this adventure only 4 months ago?? Have an amazing week and I hope to hear from you soon!

Until next time, 

The Strawberry Blonde Hermana

Weekly pictures

Zone activity- Los Olympicos

Divisions with Hermana Fernelius

Dog by creek

They sell chickens; I want one!

Grocery shopping made cheaper!

These are chochos (the little white disk thingies), chifles (they are plantains sliced thinly and fried), tostada (basically Ecuadorian corn nuts), y limon! It is the best with this sauce they serve it with!

Pope Francis will be visiting Ecuador

so his face is every, even on tiny chocolates!

While companions were renewing visas, we were able to go explore Quito a little bit. This is El Mercado where you can find all the really cool Otavalian stuff.

Week 10 I made an old lady cry...

Hey there family and friends!

I say this a lot but I cannot believe another week has passed by! I feel like time just moves so much quicker here! And I am going to have a serious problem when I leave Yaruquí because I love it here way to much and the people here are amazing!

Monday

After writing and dropping of our laundry, Hrma. Narvaez and I got to watch a sister defeather a chicken while we were trying to talk to her and her husband. It was a little hard to stay focused... After that, we had a lesson with a new couple, the Chiriboga family. We spent the whole time talking about how the Bible and the Book of Mormon go hand in hand. I love talking with them and after our lessons, they always insist on feeding us something. They offered us coffee and their niece, an old investigator, quickly told them about the Word of Wisdom and how we do not drink coffee. We ended up having this soy drink and bread. Gotta love investigators.

Tuesday

We have our mamita that lives in Pifo. Well last week we were chastized for not calling before we came. This time we were chastized for not calling at 9am like we are suppose to. I tried to apologize and tell her that I did not know because Hrma. Molinar would always do that but she did not listen. I gave up and just listened. After having lunch, we went and talked with Jose, an older gentleman who has A LOT of questions. He wants to know everything about everything and it is hard to get him to focus on one topic. Later, we had correlation with the branch mission leader. On the way to our last appointment for the night, Hrma. Narvaez tripped and almost landed on her face. She is ok, just a slightly sprained ankle. I keep asking myself what is up with my companions and their right ankle?? Yep, just like Hrma. Molinar, Hrma. Narvaez sprained her right ankle...

Wednesday

We had our weekly planning and a few appointments during the afternoon. Later in the evening, we had an appointment with a gentleman. His wife is never home, so we always take a member with us to visit him. We were suppose to met an hermano in the branch to go to our appointment but he never showed up, so we told the gentleman that we could not visit that day and decided to do some contacting in the park.

Thursday

While leaving to go to our district/zone meetings, I totally forgot my name tag!!! It was the saddest ever! I felt like I was missing a part of me all morning! No one really noticed and when we got back to Yaruquí, we quickly stopped by home so that I could get it. During out meeting, Hrma. Narvaez and I had to make two sandwiches with only one of each of our hands. It looks ridiculous but was really fun! Then we had to eat the sandwiches which was not quite as fun because right after our meeting, we had lunch with our mamita and I could not eat everything she gave me. I felt bad but she understood. I learned today how to clean clothes like an ecuadorian woman! We helped a sister in the branch with her laundry. It is always so much fun to give service!

Friday

We had divisions! For the day, I was with Hrma. Fernelius (again!). She came to my sector and Hrma. Narvaez went with her companion. We got so much done and had so much fun talking and laughing, it was a blast. She bought me a little monedero (coin purse) because she knew I was looking for one. She is so sweet!

Saturday

Hrma. Fernelius and I traveled to Quito to swap back companions. It was sad to say goodbye because I found out that she is going home soon. Hrma. Narvaez and I had to go to Cumbayá in the afternoon for a family history actvity. We went with our investigator Kely and entertained her niece so that she could focus on the movie. We watched Meet the Mormons. I love this movie because it shows the diversity of Mormons around the world and how they do little things to make a huge difference.

Sunday

I made an old lady cry today... Yep, you read that right... After church and lunch with a family in the branch, we tried to go make contact with someone we met the week prior. We ended up talking to her mom. We talked to her and her husband about the Plan of Salvation. While I was telling her about how we can have perfected bodies after this life, she started crying. I did not know what to do. She told us that she and her husband suffered so much physically. It was great to know that we could comfort her. She gave us soup afterwards. On our way home, we talked to a family and they gave us four huge avacados!! It was awesome! Then a little further down the road, a family travelling home from visiting family, offered us a ride. Turns out that they attend a ward in Quito. At the end of the day, I was so dirty! My legs were completely brown! I joked with Hrma. Narvaez that I was meant to be latina!

My love grows everyday for the people who live here! They are all amazing and genuine people, always willing to help. I learn more and more everyday on how I can be a help to them. I do not think I will ever leave! Just kidding!

Until next time,

The Strawberry Blonde Hermana

Week 9 Pictures again

Exchange for the day; I think? Mom had to decide.

Catholic Church in Quito

Food again

Toilet repair: tp cannot be put down the toilets in Yaruqui

Sister Narvaez needed shoes, so Megan tried on some shoes as well!

Dinosaur at shopping mall 

Doing good

Week 9 Soy Supermana

Hola my dear family and friends!

Where does the time go?? It is already a new week and is already proving to be a busy week! We have so many lessons and new possible investigators planned for this week, there is never enough time in the day!

Tuesday

Today was the day that seemed like everything went wrong, but it was funny. Our toilets stopped working. I did not know that we were suppose to call a sister to make sure we could go for lunch, she was upset but understood that I did not know that we needed to call her. After visiting a sister out in El Vergel, we got on the bus and Hrma. Narvaez smacked me in the face on accident. When we went to go pick up our laundry, I slipped walking down this little hill. We had correlation with the ward mission leader in the chapel. On the way to the chapel, Hrma. Narvaez´s bag broke and I tripped walking into the church. It was one of those days where you should just go back to bed... But it was so funny, we were laughing the whole way to our final appointment where Isabel made us some amazing chocolate and bolos verdes (Green balls of platano and other things... super good). She is always wanting to feed us. It is awesome.

Wednesday

We had to go to Quito... Again... Hrma. Narvaez had to renew her visa. While she was renewing her visa, I got to go explore Quito with Hrma. Fernelius. She is the Leader Hermana for my zone and her zone and she is from Las Vegas! She was super nice. We talked about our missions and all my adventures that I have had. It was so fun. We walked through a mercado (Street market) and visited the huge Catholic church in Quito. While there, a lady came up and asked us why a bunch of Mormons were in the Catholic church. After talking to her for a while, we found out that she was a less active member from Venezuela, visiting friends. It was fun to talk to her. We went back to the office and traded companions. Hrma. Narvaez had to buy glasses and then we headed back to Quito. We had a lesson with Veronica and Oscar. After the lesson, I was so exhausted that I tripped! It was so bad! A guy ran across the street to help me... Nothing too serious happened, I just got a few scrapes and bruises.

Thursday

For the 5th time going to Quito in less than a week and a half. I am sick of traveling to Quito! Though it is pretty funny that I have had to go so many times. Oh well, the life of a missionary!  When we got back to Yaruquí, we had a lesson with a reference from Isabel. The lesson went so well! Ahh I am so excited for them! They fed us more hot chocolate and humita (a tamale without filling). It was so good, I love the food here.

Friday

We made a bunch of copies for papers that we have to have for the mission binder. Afterwards, we had lunch with a sister who owns a shop here in Yaruquí. She makes the best food and I just love visiting her (I feel like I talk a lot about food)! We had an amazing lesson with Kely and Yolanda (sisters of Veronica and Oscar). After them, we popped in for a quick visit with Mariella (sister of Oscar as well). We taught her and asked if there was anything we could do for her. She gave us a ton of rice to take to the Fathers Day activity for the next day. Later in the evening, we had another lesson with Veronica and Oscar. Family Mancero randomly showed up and we had an amazing lesson. The more I talk about eternal families, the more I miss mine.

Saturday

Today for lunch, we got a new mamita! Hrma. Rivadeneira is our new mamita and I love her and her family so much. They are recent converts and are set to get sealed in the temple in December! Afterwards, we headed to the church to help set up for the Fathers day activity. We chopped up tons of chickens and prepared stuff for cole slaw. As we were about to leave to go see if we could talk with some members in the branch, the missionaries of the branch were asked to sing for the activity. Let`s just say it was really rough and we sounded horrible but it was tons of fun! I really do love this branch and all of the members here! When we got home, we made Oreo truffles for some of the members in the branch who always help us out with appointments and food.

Sunday

We had our usual morning activities of church and ward counsel. Afterwards, we ran home to grab some of our truffles for Family Domiguez. They are awesome. They are always willing to accompany us and feed us every Sunday!  After having lunch with them, we walked about a half hour to San Vicente to meet with a family that was contacted on the bus by previous missionaries. We go lost and could not find them for a while, but we set tons of appointments with potential investigators! It was an awesome evening. We came back to Yaruquí and had a lesson with Veronica and Oscar. We spent a long time talking about how when we make the decision to follow Christ, things get difficult for a while before they smooth out.

Sometimes when we try to choose the right, things get really difficult. In Ether 12:6, it talks about how we will receive blessings after the trial of our faith. I have found this to be so true with my short little month here in Yaruquí. The key is to have patience. I am constantly working on having patience, with myself, my companion, and with investigators/members. It is sometimes difficult but I always tell my investigators: it is not easy but it is not impossible.

That is my week! I am still alive and kicking it! Oh and Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there! You guys are the best!

Until next time,

The Strawberry Blonde Hermana