Elder Stolle In Ecuador: Week 4 July 9-15, 2016

¡Hola Everyone!

This last week has been pretty chill, but at the same time a lot has happened.

Well, for starters, Elder Harrison (our District Leader) and his companion got called as the new Zone Leaders, so I got called as the new District Leader. It´s been a little crazy getting used to, but it´s pretty neat as well.

I got slightly discouraged for a couple days this week because some of our lessons weren´t progressing, I had to listen to/comfort/try to inspire one of our District members that struggles to get along with his companion, and I started to catch a small flu that´s been spreading. It was a hard couple of days right after being called. Also one of our Sisters got sick with a gastric issue.

Here´s the cool story: I was able to give her a Priesthood Blessing (my first one ever) and all the Elders in our district got to participate. That´s the cool things about the CCM,is the Priesthood power is everywhere when ya need it. But the next morning, she walked in crying because her symptoms had gotten worse overnight. I spent a large majority of the Personal Study time praying and thinking. I have to admit, I was worried that maybe I had said something wrong in the blessing or who knows what. I really didn´t know. And I was scared because since it was the first Priesthood Blessing I ever gave, I really didn´t want it to be in vain and not fulfill it´s purpose. I admit, there were a few tears shed, because I´d grown to love the sisters (in a charitable way, not a crush) that I was concerned for her, and that she might go to a hospital or be sent home if things got worse.Then I read in Helaman 3, and realized that I needed to demonstrate some faith, for "ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." So I decided then and there to start a fast. I give my witness that our God is a God of miracles, and that miracles do happen, and He blesses us with tender mercies when we seek him. As I fasted and we prayed throughout the day, the sister visibly got better throughout the day, and was in high spirits by the night.

This morning we had the opportunity to go to the temple again. I´ll always be amazed with the Celestial room and the strength of the spirit in there. it´s probably my new favorite temple (until the Quito one comes XD)and it was neat to have time to see the visitors center as well.