Week #___?

Well, I truly dont have too much to say this week. Not because nothing happened, but because I am really tired and dont have my adapter to send some pics, which always jogs my memory. Oh yeah, and next Sunday I get to skype with the fam, so I want to save some stuff to talk about. ;)

We had another very solid, busy, fast, Ecuadorian week. Monday evening we road tripped down to Riobamba with the Christensens. It rained like CRAZY. At one point we couldnt really see anything and we felt like we were on Splash Mountain. It was quite the adventure. We got into Riobamba at around 7:30, got some bomb dinner from Chili´s, and then had interviews/trainings the next day. All the trainings went pretty well. No one has beaten me in arm wrestling ;) I love thinking of ways to make trainings exciting (at least a lil bit more exciting, jajaja).

On Thursday we went to Zone Meetings in Chillogallo, the zone furthest south here in Quito. Afterwards, my comp stayed down there and did exchanges with one of the zone leaders in their sector, while I came back north to our sector to work with Elder W, one of my best buddies from my group. It was a blast working with him. He is great teacher! We also enjoyed some delish Cuy (guinea pig), because he hasnt eaten any since his first month in the mish. At night we played some epic rounds of chess. I have been playing a lot of chess lately. I cant golf, so have to pick up a different Gentlemen´s Sport for now. ;)

Love you all. 

ES

Ps- Shout out to my best friend, Cam, or Elder Cuvelier, who turns 21 on Wednesday!!!! I know marriage is important and all, but I think Cam and I are meant to be life-long roomies. Love you, brodda!

Shake shake...

A quick update on April 18th, after the earthquake ~ 

Hey guys. Just so you know, we are all safe and sound. It was a pretty exciting night, but no big damage was done within our mission, just a few houses fell in Santo Domingo, but no missionaries or members were hurt. The missionaries in the Ecuador Quito North mission are all safe, as well. We were teaching a lesson on the 3rd floor of a house when it started, it was super intense/kind of exciting!! We stayed in the house for about 30 seconds, and then went down to the street for the next 1.5 minutes of the earthquake. The houses were shaking and the cables as well. A few of the families closest to me are from the provinces Manabi and Esmeraldas, but I have gotten in touch with one of the families, and am waiting to hear from the other. Hopefully everyone is doing okay. We have received tons of calls and emails here in the offices, but we are doing our best to comfort all the parents/family members and tell them that all is well in Zion! We have been praying hard for all those affected. Keep my people in your prayers! Love you all!

ES

And the longer email on April 23rd ~ 

It was quite a crazy week here in Ecuador. As most of you have heard, there was a pretty severe earthquake Saturday night. More than 600 people were killed and 12500 injured, and many are still missing. Most of the damage took place on the coast, so here in Quito everything has been much more tranquilo, although we felt the main earthquake very strongly and have felt a few aftershocks throughout the past few days. Thanks for the prayers, and keep praying for this amazing country. I have reflected a little over these past few days...thoughts: a) How grateful I am to know that there is life after death and that if I do what God has asked I can be with my family for ever. B) This gospel truly provides peace and happiness. So many members or investigators have felt a strong peace during all of this madness. It has been especially cool to hear stories of members in the coast who acted in faith and were protected during the main quake. C) While it is very tragic what has been going on here, in many places of the world this amount of people die with MUCH more frequency... Moral of the story, we got a lot of work to do, folks. 

Post-quake guinea pig

On Thursday we went to Santo Domingo, which is the main zone that was affected. While some houses fell and a few missionaries houses were damaged, everyone is doing okay. President gave everyone a big pep talk and helped all the missionaries down there calm down and get re focused on the work! We are beginning to see many people open their hearts due to the current situations in this country.

Today we played some soccer, basketball, and ping pong, versus the assistants and secretaries of the Quito North Mission. They beat us in Soccer, but we beat them in Basketball. So...to be continued... It was super fun. We went HARD for about 2.5 hours, it felt great to get a sweat on and ball out. Almost had a SICK put back dunk...moral of the story...my glory days are done.

Love you all and appreciate the concern/support/love/prayers! #ContigoEcuador

ES

Gym in our new house

Hi

Last Saturday we had a GREAT baptismal service for the Familia C. I love this work!

Today we went bowling. It was EPIC. In our mission we don´t have bowling, so it has obviously been 21 months since I went...but today we got special permission from President to go up into the North Mission and bowl. It was awesome! I bowled 130 (help me, someone...is that good?) and won 1st place. Too bad I am no longer in Little League, or else I would be rocking a sweet plastic trophy right now. While we were up north, we got Burger King. Rodeo Cheeseburger....lets goooo.

This week was great. Super busy, again. On Tuesday we went to the jungle (Puyo), and had interviews/trainings with the Zona Oriente. It was a beautiful trip and good seeing some buddies. And we ate some BOMB chocolate cake. Wow. On Wednesday we had interviews/trainings with Zona Ambato...which also went very well. My comp and I found a new family to teach while talking with people on our way to the Zone Leaders house...we taught a quick/powerful 15 minute lesson and then passed them off the the Elders in Ambato..hopefully they can progress. God is preparing MANY! On Thursday, we had interviews/trainings with Zona Chillogallo. They, as well, went well. It rained like CRAZY all weekend...so the 20 foot run from the chapel to the car SOAKED President/Hna C and us...but it just makes the experience that much better...right? 

Tuesday we will move in to a new house. It is soooo nice. I am stoked. Our old landlord was being super difficult and we have been taking cold showers for 2 months. But now, there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Love you all and RIP Kobe. And wattup Steph Curry. RIP Bulls.

ES

Sup

Hey all!!!

Hope you all had a great week and enjoyed General Conference last weekend. Also, hope you all are enjoying your Saturdays. Especially you, Pops! Sorry I can´t help with some yard work. Haha!

Well, my week was great. Busy as ever...but way solid. 

As most of you know...this past Sunday it was announced that there will be a new temple constructed HERE IN QUITO in the upcoming years. For Quiteños, it is about an 8 hour in bus to get to the temple in Guayaquil...and even further for those who live more east...so needless to say everyone is SUPER excited that there will be a temple here in Quito!!! Everyone in all the chapels here in Quito went crazy when President Monson made the announcement. After 21 months here in this country, and 2/3 of that time being here in Quito, I am soooo happy and grateful for this huge blessing for the people of Quito. So epic.

On Tuesday we had a really solid mission leadership council. My comp and I trained on ´´Unity´´. It went really well. This change we have interviews with President, so we have been traveling with him and Hermana C to all the zones and giving specialized trainings to all the districts as President has his interviews. So basically we have been on our feet all day Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday morning, and this morning. I kind of miss having real P-days, but there is nothing better than this work!!

I finally have a camera again! I bought a pretty nice one from a missionary for just $25!!! I got way lucky, seeing as he had two and really likes me so gave me the amigo discount! So, I will finally start taking pictures again! This week I took a few, hope you enjoy em! Haha.

Well, I love you all and am grateful for your friendships and examples and emails. You guys rock.

ES

GC.LDS.ORG

First off, I just want to wish a special FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS a mi mamá, Carebear. My mother is amazing. Today, while listening to General Conference, I noticed that there were a lot of talks about families, children, and parents. I am so grateful for all the my parents have done for me, especially my loving mother. I do not know how on earth she raised four very imperfect children into four (in my mind) pretty amazing people. I love you mucho, Momma beat. And dedicate this talk, to you!!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/behold-thy-mother?lang=eng

You have always been there for me and always supported me in ALL that I do. Thanks for everything. Love ya. See you in 11. 

Well, aside from that, I am about out of time. Conference today has been amazing! In 10 minutes we will head back to the church to watch Priesthood session. If you have´t been watching...watch it dude! gc.lds.org

This week was busy and great! Four trips to the airport to pick up missionaries, a few deliscious dinners in Presidents house for Easter, Farewell, and Welcome dinners. And a great day long new missionary/trainers conference on Wednesday. Today CT has his baptismal interview, and the familia C has theirs on Wednesday. I love watching the gospel and love of Jesus Christ change peoples lives for the BETTER. If there is one this I have learned out here..I am nothing. But through Christ, I can become something. Philippians 4:13. 

Love you all! Have a great week! Pray for CT and Familia C!

ES