This week was exhausting, but there were also some pretty uplifting moments as well.
I had a low step in my life today and went to eat at McDonalds...I know, I know, it's sacrifices like these that show that the pioneer's don't got anything on me. Hahaha no but it was nice to eat something familiar from home.
We had to get up around 5-5:30am some days just to travel to meetings in Quito with President. But Hermana Christensen makes it worth it by giving us delicious homemade food, and for lunch one day they treated us with Papa John's Pizza.
Ecuadoreans are quite interesting. It's kinda funny how when it's a little cool outside, I'm in short sleeves and loving it, but all the Ecuadoreans who are only used to the perfect weather are all bundled up. Also, lots of Ecuadoreans (and the Peruvian missionaries, so most South Americans in general) are pretty tone deaf...I only say that because I cringe just about every time we sing hymns hahaha. AND (go figure) THEY'RE ALL SHORT! I'm sure it's quite the hoot that I have to stand in the emergency hatch area on buses where it pops up a few extra inches, just to be able to stand up straight. Tall probs.
I also bought new, pretty crazy Ecuadorean scripture cases :) And there is in fact a real life Pizza Planet (see pics below)
We did a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) with a less-active family, the bishop's family, and a few others. It was so much fun, we played a game with our ties, and they fed us dinner.
On Friday we got to give a sick Sister Missionary a Priesthood Blessing. It's always so neat to think about, that through the proper use of our Priesthood Authority as Elders, we're standing in place for Christ. And it's never used to help ourselves, only to bless the lives of others.
Also on Sunday night after we came back home, we went downstairs to give the sister (who owns the store) and her son (experiencing unusual chest pains) Priesthood blessings of comfort and healing...the son was up till 3am this morning cause he was so scared he would die in his sleep. It was pretty eye-opening to see them in tears, and to realize how blessed we are as Latter Day Saints to consistently have the power of the Priesthood nearby, and then there being recently-converted families like that who have a single mom and haven't really had the Priesthood to bless their lives until now.
Saturday we did a service project with the ward cleaning the church...guess who got assigned to clean the baptismal font mirror? Yup you're right...nobody else has arms/legs long enough to reach hahaha but I was cool with it.
Afterwards we came back and did a much needed companionship inventory. It was nice for both of us to blow off some steam, and give suggestions on how each other could improve. In the end, we were both humbler and committing on ways to be better, and therefore we were able to get along easier.
This morning I was finally blessed to recieve something I'd been praying and fasting for since before the mission- a stronger testimony of the things we as missionaries preach. I won't go into too much detail because it's sacred, but during Personal Study I was reading in 3 Nephi 18 and came across this verse:
"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall recieve, behold it shall be given unto you."
I realized this promise, and kinda had to do a self-check, ask myself "Do I really believe I'll recieve an answer?" After I pondered, thought it through, and realized I did believe, I also realized I believed in the things I'd been questioning or doubting. Once I saw all the things I believed, especially with the Atonement, I saw how important my calling was as a missionary and the hope I could bring to so many lives.
I realized today that, in most things, I wouldn't really know for sure, but all I needed to do was strongly believe.
"Faith is not to have a perfect knowlege of things" (Alma 32:21)
It is my testimony that we don't need to know truths -I believe that comes through time and demonstrating perfect faith- we only need to believe with all our heart and humbly be willing to do whatever our Heavenly Father's will is, and as we faithfully and diligently persevere, then our weak things can become strong, and testimonies can be strengthened.
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Stolle
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