Week 38 March 13-19, 2017

Sorry Guys! I didn't realize it didn't send last week

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week we had quite a few exciting things happen.

Well, to start, I had divisions with Elder Scott, and that was a lotta fun. We made more donuts in the morning. :-) We also had a really great lesson working to find the iceberg (missionary reference) of a certain family, and I feel like our abilities have been improving as a district to help people resolve their needs.

Me and Elder Smith decided to treat ourselves after a kinda rough day the other day, and tried out a restaurant called "Mata El Hambre." I got what was basically cheesy fries covered in guac and steak strips. It was super good for what I've found here in Ecuador!

The other Elders in our ward had a Baptism on Saturday (which went super nicely), and were stuck at the chapel beforehand because somebody had to stay and monitor the Baptismal font as it filled up. Needless to say, they were super hungry, so me and Elder Smith quickly made a Chilean Hot Dog Lunch for all of us and brought it up to them before helping set up for the Baptism. It was a great Baptism, and it was neat to see another person decide to join the Lord's Kingdom.

Afterwards, just about the entire Zone had to meet up in one of the sectors of the Sister Missionaries to do an "Invasion," Basically they'd been really struggling to find people to teach, so we all went in their sector to go knocking on doors for an hour to find people and help them out. It was neat.

Today we went to some Cascadas (Waterfalls) here in Los Chillos for a Zone Activity. Our feet got a little wet when we slipped off a log while crossing over a river and ended up wading through the stream hahaha, but it was super fun to spend time seeing the beautiful things Heavenly Father's created in nature, and play games and feel closer as a Zone.

YOU GUYS Holy Cow we have 12 days till Conference!!! I'm literally so excited, and also can't believe it's already that time again!

Anyways, I love you all, and have an awesome week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Zone Conference Pictures from the Mission Facebook Site

Week 37 March 6-12, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Honestly, this week made me a little tired (but those weeks are the best ones!). :-)

On Tuesday we found super cool new investigator. At first he was a little cautious to let us in (we thought he was part of a gang and lived in a drug house) but he's actually super cool. He's 27 and owns/works in his own recording studio in his house, and also programs a radio channel in Los Angeles, all the way from here in Quito. So naturally we saw why he was hesitant to let us in (with all that expensive equipment and possiblilties of robbers and all) but he was pretty receptive and seemed excited to have us back.

Side-note, but also Tuesday marked exactly 1 year since I recieved/opened my mission call. Weird, right?!

Wednesday was a Zone Conference with the Mission President, and it was great and spiritually uplifting. He basically taught us how we could ask inspired questions to have more success in lessons, and the next day we had interviews with him, which are just the best.

On Thursday we basically got called fat. We were in a store across the street, and I saw a Snickers bar on the shelf. Being the American boy I am (and seeing how hard American Candy can be to find) I asked how much it was. The owner basically said "You guys like to eat a lot of sweets, don't you?" Ouch. Call us out, why don't ya? Whimpering with my tail in between my legs, I put the Snickers back and left the store. :-)

But it's okay! I had another (unhealthy) opportunity to satisfy my American food cravings! We had a ward activity on Saturday where all the ex-missionaries had to talk about the country they served in and brought food from that place, and we (all 4 of us Elders in this ward are Americans) were assigned to bring something American! So on Friday night we all met up and made fried glazed donut holes! I wouldn't exactly suggest it to nutritionists, but when we brought em they went faster than the TV's on Black Friday. So the activity had a good turnout.

A topic that's come up for me a lot this week is Faith. It's not just a superficial belief. It causes us to act. It's something to learn to live by and depend on, like oxygen. It's something I've been really trying to study more and demonstrate, especially when inviting people to make commitments during lessons. Sometimes I hesitate on making promises to people that don't seem certain, but that's where I just need to trust more in Heavenly Father and remember that he will always give us the promised blessings according to the commandments we keep. And it's true. I've seen so many seemingly-impossible things happen to people here in the mission through the demonstration of their Faith, and have witnessed incredible things as I've been trying to put God's will first and just trust in him It's amazing how he can see what we don't, and I know he can help us through the obstacles and challenges of life as we faithfully act on the promptings we receive.

Have a fantastic week!

Love,
Elder Stolle

Week 36 February 27-March 5, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

I'm low on time this week, so just a short and sweet email. :)

Well, we were basically stuck in the house for a nice 2 full days while Carnaval happened. But it's good. Me and Elder Smith practiced our empanada frying skills. They turned out well, but now we tease each other that we're both getting a gut hahaha.

We had a service project as a Zone on Saturday lifting boulders and bags of rocks and sand up a hill so a family could build their house. I was lame and forgot to take pictures, but oh well.

Some cool things this week were just seeing how we were able to help people come closer to Christ. We were teaching our Recent Convert about baptisms for the dead, and the look in his eyes when he realized he could do those ordinances for his family members just mad me and Elder Smith so happy. Another cool little thing was helping a New Investigator by talking to her about how the Gospel could bless their family, and how she could help her drug-addicted son. It's so incredible to see how just living the Principles I've been raised with blesses so many people's lives for them to learn, and I know it's true.

Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. You all can enjoy these nice pictures of the 936758265474 Empanadas we made, as well as meeting up with other missionaries today at KFC for Pday. ¡Ciao!

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Week 35 February 20-26, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Well it is Carnaval! And you know what that means? Basically we have to stay inside Monday and Tuesday unless we email the fam (as in right now) or have set appointments.Why, you ask? Well ya see, basically Carnaval is this giant South American holiday (probably the biggest of the year) where everyone throws water balloons and eggs and flour, etc. at each other. So yeah- us missionaries get some good ol' cabin fever time hahaha.

I don't know if I brought it up last week, but we went to a mall called El Recreo on Pday to get matching ties as a companionship and eat McDonalds. I never thought the day would come when I would crave McDonalds (of all things), but there we were. Me and my McNugs. :)

As far as the work goes, it's been goin'. When I first got to Salvador Celi, we only had 1 good investigator (the one that weas baptized last week), so we've been working hard to find more. And it's been like your local hamburger joints. Some are hit and some are miss. That is to say, some are more prepared than others. But we'll keep looking, and Heavenly Father has blessed us to find them when we've been diligent.

One thing that has really just been spiritually impacting me this week has been about the Book of Mormon, and how this (South America) is where most of it all happened. We had a member tell us the other day all about how they were taught in school about their ancestors that had a visit from a god (which said it would return), and worshiped the sun and moon afterwards as a result. Well, from an LDS perspective, that's SO COOL cause we know that that was Jesus Christ when he visited the Americas, and that he is going to return. It's just interesting how the story's been changed, cause after the nephites were destroyed, the Gospel wasn't here to keep the complete truth preserved, When the Spanish Conquerors came, the Natives thought that they were "gods" that had returned, and instantly embraced their religious beliefs, language, everything. Which is why today most of South America is Catholic and speaks Spanish, even though that's not the original indigenous language. I am constantly learning new things that just point to how this is where the Lamanites were (and are), and it just continues to build my testimony of the Book of Mormon-that it's true, and that Jesus Christ really did come here to the Americas.

I hope you all have an incredible week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 34 February 13-20, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Well, this week has just been Go Go Go. But in a good way.

We had more kids throwing a water balloon at us and hitting me in the back (I think everyone's preparing for Carnival- the big annual water fight party of South America- here in about a week), as well as a few nights of both of us eating ice cream from the tub just from being stressed out from everything going on (we handle it well hahaha). But it has all worked out very nicely, and the Lord has been helping us every step of the way.

So basically here's what's been up.

We had a baptism this week! His name is Jorge Acuña, and he was very prepared. We were kinda running around the night before to make sure the font was working and everything was ready, then figured out that the Ward Mission Leader didn't have a schedule or anything planned for the Baptism and wouldn't even be there. So we made our own agenda and planned the whole thing, ran around inviting people, and got to the church early the next day to fill the font. But it went very nicely, and it all somehow came together. Kinda neat, how Heavenly Father always makes it work out like that.

Then we had a surprise last minute service project and half the Zone showed up to help move boulders and bags of rocks up a hill so some members could build a house.

We learned how to make empanadas this week! I don't have pictures cause my hands were all doughy, but some members taught us during our dinner time after a lesson. 

The next day we only had 1 hour of Church, cause Ecuador had their elections for a new President and everyone who's old enough is required to vote. Jorge wanted me to confirm him, and that was a very neat experience to be able to help him become an official member of the Church.

The Bishop also asked me to give a talk, and it just happened to be the same day that the Stake Presidency and the 1st counselor of the Mission were there. Yay! But it all went well. I think Bishop was worried that too many members were looking at keeping the commandments and being members of the church with a glass half-empty perspective, so I gave a talk on 3 ways of how we can have a Celestial Attitude. I'd include a picture of it, but it's all in Spanish. :) But I learned a lot from preparing for the talk and it helped motivate me to be more positive and happy in the work of the Lord.

Although this week was a lot of running around and excitement, I really can't complain, but only testify that Heavenly Father has been there helping us every step of the way. This is definitely his work, and there have been so many incredible experiences that constantly remind me of that. I'm so grateful we have a loving Heavenly Father who's constantly aware of each one of us, and inspires and lifts us to do our best as his servants, missionary or not.

Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 33 February 6-12, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Wowzers this week was crazy, we had another set of emergency changes on Thursday (this was round 2 this change). This time I got moved, so now I'm in a sector called Salvador Celi, with Elder Smith (see pic below). He's from Lehi, UT, and he's super cool. I'm really excited for the next 1 1/2 changes I'll have with him.

One of my last days in Guamani, random neighborhood kids were throwing water balloons at each other, and decided to chuck one at us for who knows what reason. Gotta love em.

Well, aside from a surprise bout of sickness on Saturday, my switch here has been really good. Basically I woke up sick and later figured out that the District Leader also woke up sick with strep throat, so the Zone Leaders called the Mission President and we ended up doing temporary divisions, me and the District Leader getting quarantined in a house by ourselves to get better. Fun times! :)

I gotta tell you all about our Pday activity last week, which me and Elder Choque did as a companionship before the emergency changes. So, we went to Panecillo, which is basically a famous hill in the middle of Quito. We've been wanting to visit it for a while, so I was glad we finally got to go. It's famous among the Catholics (and is a big tourist sight as well) for the Virgin Mary Statue that you can see from just about all of Quito. It was pretty neat, but even cooler is the story from a Church point of view. 

Basically, if I remember right, in about 1965, Elder Spencer W. Kimball (at the time an apostle) was talking with President David O. Mckay about plans for missionary work in South America. He pointed on a big map to Quito, Ecuador, and spoke about the millions of indigenous Americans living there. After consideration, President Mckay said "I think the time has arrived for the Lamanites to hear the Gospel," and gave Elder Kimball the authority to start the missionary work there. A little while later, Elder Kimball went with a small group to the top of Panecillo, and said a prayer to dedicate the country of Ecuador for Missionary Work. If I remember, I'll try to upload a picture of the whole story next week. But yeah, basically it was really neat and spiritual to read that story at the very hill where Ecuador was dedicated for the work of the Lord.

Anyways, I'm super excited for another week here and to help the other missionaries grow and give it their best efforts.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 32 January 30-Feb 5, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

We had another mini-Earthquake this week. We were just sitting there doing our studies and suddenly everything started shaking. Apparently it was a 5.5 and hit a little ways from us, but we still felt it. Fun fun.

Then later in the day, on the way to lunch, some school kids on a passing school bus sprayed silly string at us as the bus passed by. Cultured, disciplined kids, really.

Guys this week was actually pretty dang good! We found several new investigators and had several different members accompany us. One of them was a reference from the RS President cause her father had just died, so between us and the RS Pres., it was really neat to bear testimony to her friend that through the incredible Plan Of Salvation, she'd see her father again. It just goes to show that there are people being prepared to hear the Gospel message (Alma 13:24).

The other day I also helped a member change a lightbulb cause no one else was tall enough. Yup that's me- Elder Stolle, Big Friendly Giant, still here to help hahaha.

On Friday we had a Multi-Zone Conference with Elder Hugo Montoya of the Seventy. It was so good. He talked about how our desires to be obedient should only be out of our love for the Savior and not any other reason, the importance and power of using our authority as missionaries (Representatives of Jesus Christ) to make promises in his name to bless the lives of our Investigators, and that we should focus and consecrate our lives (not just our missions) to the service of the Lord.

The next day during an Investigator lesson we followed that counsel. The family was struggling with the commandment to Keep The Sabbath Day Holy, due to Sunday being one of their biggest work days. We used our authority and promised them afterwards that if they would keep God's commandments, they would have what they need and would prosper. During that promise, everything just went quiet and the Spirit was so incredible strong. I know that God gives his authorized servants the power to make such promises to his children to test their faith and bless them according to their obedience.

I'm excited for another week doing his work! Talk to you all next week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 31 January 16-22, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Ok, first big thing this week is that we had a Worldwide Missionary Training, and THEY'RE CHANGING THE MISSION SCHEDULE!!! Yeah, maybe not too important for most of you, but for us missionaries who live it day by day, that's big. I like it. Basically it'll let us have more agency in planning our own schedule, so that we can adapt to local needs and use our time more effectively.

Something kinda scary/sad this week was that there was a shooting about 10 min from us and 7 people passed away. It was a surprise to hear about, cause the gun-laws in Ecuador are really strict. Yikes.

A funny throwback but I forgot to mention about this conversation with Elder Bailon when we were talking about Latino Music, and a song that kept playing over and over. Here's a basic translation, but his reply made me laugh:

Me: "They like to play this song like 300 times a day."

Elder Bailon: "Tell me about it. I've had to listen to this terrible music my whole life."

This morning all the Elders in the Zone met up to play basketball, which was fun. We've also been blessed with several more new investigators this week. The hard part's just getting them to keep commitments, but hey- we had a few investigators go to the ward activity and church, so let's hope things keep moving along.

I felt a strong spirit the other day during a lesson as I bore testimony of how the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ work together. I think it was comforting for them to know that God knew we would mess up, but he wants us to make it. That's why he sent his Son as the Savior, and why we have the opportunity to continually repent and strive to be better, to endure to the end. Something I also thought about yesterday is how perfect this Church is. One of the Church classes was about how the Church would respond to natural disasters and be prepared to help all the members. The members and their decisions aren't perfect, but the Church is, and is why it all make sense. It can only be that way if it's led by Christ, and I know it is.

Enjoy every moment of this week! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. If you look at the picture, my shoelaces pretty much died on me haha.

Week 30 January 9-15, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Today was changes, annnnnd.... I'm staying here again! My 3rd change here in Guamani, but this time I'll be with Elder Villagran (he's from Chile). I've heard really good things about him, so I'm super excited for this change! 

Also I figured out that all 3 of the other missionaries from my CCM (MTC) district that are here in the mission are going to be in my Zone! That'll be fun, cause they're practically my brothers and sister, since we started and have been together in the same mission since Day 1.

Well, this week it has rained like no other. All the rain has made it pretty cold, and there was even a little snow in the tops of the mountains around us. One day it was so chilly that a member gave us blankets to use as we taught our lesson hahaha.

We found a bunch of new investigators this week! It has been a huge blessing, cause we were starting to get pretty discouraged, but a lot of them accepted the baptism invitation for Feburary 4th, and several also came to church this past Sunday, which made us estatic!

I was actually kinda sad to have changes at the same time, which was my goal when it was time for a new companion. Me and Elder Bailon have actually become really good friends (a huge contrast from last change) and have been helping each other a lot this last week to overcome our little problems and trials. Last night we were up till midnightlaying awake talking. I know Heavenly Father blessed our hearts to be more open and understanding, and helped us as we made these efforts to get along.

Well, that's about it for this week. Sorry it's so short, but it is what it is. :)

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. Here's a final picture me and Elder Bailon took before we had to go.

Week 29 January 2-8, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

I tried to buy a bottle of sunscreen today, about the same size as the one I brought to Ecuador (which is just a normal, small bottle just barely bigger than your hand), and the price was $22.39!!! I was like "ya know what? Sunburns and skin cancer actually sound pretty good right about now..." Hahaha just kidding, but seriously- I'm gonna be on the lookout the next few days for something that's not highway robbery.

I also got to try real sugar this week. And I'm talking ground right from the sugar cane, not refined or with added chemicals or anything. It was really good and naturally sweet.

I had a funny moment the other day. But first, I need to tell you that "chevere" is an Ecuadorian word that basically means "that's great." It's kind of a filler word in conversations. Anyways, we were contacting people by knocking on doors, and were talking with one of our neighbors who lives a street over. She was telling us how about how she lives with her 2 young sons (at this point I said "Oh, chevere chevere") and how her husband, brother, and daughter died recently (and being the stupid bad listener I am, didn't understand, and continued "oh chevere, chevere) (it was then that E. Bailon stomped on my foot and intervened). I was mortified once I'd realized what I said, apologized halfway through the contact, and bore my testimony of the Plan of Salvation and the peace it brings us. I'm glad I (more or less) saved it but geez louise what a "dork" moment! Hahaha oops. I felt pretty cool. One day I'll understand every word people are saying. :)

This week I just want to testify of the power of Fasting. Me and my companion have been doing it for a few days, and have seen so many blessings. We've felt the Spirit more, we had more of the people we've been teaching come to church, have gotten along a lot better, etc. It's hard and a sacrifice, but we are overcoming the natural man through keeping this commandment every 1st Sunday for 24 hours. I know that fasting opens the windows of Heaven to pour out blessings, and I also know without a doubt that we have a Heavenly Father up above who loves us, and gives us these blessings and help when we are obedient and strive to make our will more aligned with his.

 Well, that's all for this week. As my good HCWCP buddy Elder Walton says: The Church is true, the Book is blue, and Moroni is always on the Ball.

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. No photos this week...I'll try to be better about carrying my camera with me. :)

Week 28 December 26-January 1, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Sorry guys! I realized this never got sent last week!

It's never really that hard to get up in the morning, cause we just wake up, go to work, and BOOM! Next thing I know, it's already time to go back to bed.

I ate cow foot soup this week. It was...interesting.

We also found a few new good investigators this week, which was a blessing after we'd been struggling to find new people to teach. Woot woot!

Today I finally got my Bday package! Only about 2 months late hahaha but I finally figured out why. As the label reads in the picture below, it was accidently "missent to Jamaica."

New Year's Eve started off with all the Elders in our Zone playing soccer in the morning (which was bomb) then we had to stay in our houses for the rest of the day (besides our lunch appointment). I quickly saw why; I'm serving a mission in the modern-day Sodom and Gumorrah. Ever heard of the "Vidas Locas?" Basically on big holidays like New Years, it's when guys go around dressed up as women and dance in the streets, blocking the way and not letting cars pass unless they give them money. Hahaha I've never been so scared just to walk to a lunch appointment, cause they would chase down (and even climb onto) some of the cars/people, and my companion said that basically if you didn't give them money they'd try to kiss you and stuff. It's quite disturbing, and somehow a tradition here, but needless to say we walked extra fast. Don't get me wrong, everyone's a child of God and deserves to be treated as such, but seriously- when a lot of people are choosing to run around cross-dressing and acting seductive to random strangers, there's something wrong with that picture.

The cool thing I saw from this and my reading in Genesis 18-19 is that there are still good righteous peope that the Lord will teach and help, and our calling as missionaries is a lot like the Angels' command to Lot; "bring them out of this place" (v.12). It's the same for members as well, as well as the other command to "look not behind thee" (v.17) or rather, don't return to the past life of things you've repented of and left behind. That is, unless you want to become a table condiment hahaha (too soon?). No but really, this is such a great time, with all the New Years resolutions being made, to learn from the past and create goals to answer this question: What specific things will we do (personally and as a family) this year to leave behind the worldy things and come unto Christ? Whether it be reading the scriptures more as a family, spending less time on your phone, or simply making your prayers a little more sincere, I promise that doing things to become more like our Savior will help you be happier and feel the Spirit more in your lives.

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 27 December 19-25, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Soooo Christmas was aight. There was about 1/2 as many ward members as usual cause everyone was traveling for Christmas, but we still managed to visit a couple families and in the house me & my companion experimented making fried chicken. Oh, and skyping the fam- that was great.

I bought a few strands of lights with some personal money, so between that and the paper Christmas tree my mom sent in a package, we were set hahaha. About as Christmasy as we missionaries can afford to get.

My shoelaces are giving up on me. Just look at the pictures (attached) and maybe the condition of my shoe will give you an idea of how much we're walking. It's insane. I literally had to use yarn just to tie them until I can buy new shoelaces.

Something funny is that my companion listens to Conference Talks when Elder Uchtdorf is talking about his wife just to learn how to flirt in English hahaha. You do you, buddy. You do you.

Wednesday was the Zone Conference/Christmas Dinner at President's house. In the morning we had great lessons about the Atonement which helped us remember the importance of Christmas. The Mission President's wife made cinnamon rolls and I literally was so happy because I haven't tasted anything homemade that was that good in so long. In the afternoon we had the dinner, games with bells and Jeopardy about the scriptures and Ecuador, a gift exchange, and a talent show. For the talent show the Zone Leaders had me play David Archuleta's "Glorious" on the piano while a sister missionary sang.

Christmas Eve we went around giving Christmas-themed lessons, lots of caroling, a message of the divinity of Christ, and passed out mini candy canes (cause most people haven't tried them before cause they're more of an American thing). One of the families gave us a little food and COLADA MORADA! I told my companion my joy was complete hahaha cause it's only sold around October, and I'd been craving it. :)

Today we went to the Basilica for a District activity (that's the big Cathedral that looks like the SLC temple). It was kinda cool. There were a lot of tourists, but we still got to climb up in the tower and everything. Afterwards we had spiritual thoughts about the Apostasy and Restoration of the Gospel. It was neat.

Anyways I sure hope you all had a great Christmas and have a fantastic New Years!

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. I also tried this weird looking fruit that was pokey but was like a white grape inside.

Week 26 December 12-18, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Listen up y'all, we got 6 days till Christmas! (There's some Texan for ya) :-)

And I'm so pumped! I've been listening to the same few MCO Christmas songs that I own for weeks now. I miss my Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams (and maybe even a little Michael Buble), but it's all good. Just making the best of it, and excited to call the family!

We had a funny problem this week. We were contacting people by knocking on doors, and for a few families, discovered that neither me or E. Bailon could communicate with them, cause they only spoke Quichua (the indigenous language). Now I want to learn a 3rd language just to be able to be able to communicate with them too! :-)

We also appearently had another earthquake last night, but we all slept through it, so all is well.

Me & my companion are still getting along pretty well. If we have a disagreement it resolves a lot faster, and we've been laughing/joking around a lot. The other night we were in bed but ended up laying there​​ talking till midnight! It was fun. :) I hope this keeps up and that we're in good spirits on Christmas.

This week I just want to touch on how grateful I am for our Savior, for his suffering and love for us. And what a fitting week too, being Christmas. I have felt the Spirit strongly whenever I think about his atoning sacrifice and endless love for us. If you want to feel the Spirit here's an idea: Think of each one of your sins, unkind words, disobedience, etc. from this past week, and of him suffering for each one of those, and the pain it brought him, but still doing it because of the incredible love he has for you. This has really helped me to feel a sense of gratitude and focus on him, especially during Sacrament meeting. I just want to give him a great big hug for everything he's done for me, and each and every one of us. What a wonderful time of year to remember him.

I challenge you all to do (or keep doing) the 25 days of service the Church has been promoting! What a great way to give back to the Savior by serving our fellow men.

Have an incredible very Merry Christmas! Don't forget the reason of the season!

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. Here (attached) is the video we made as a Zone for the Mission President's Bday a few weeks ago. No, my part was not my idea (it was the Zone Leaders), but it sure was funny, and the other Elder was a good sport about it. :)

Week 25 December 5-11, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Let's see...what are some of the little things this week?

Elder Bailon called me Pacman this week cause "I'm fat and eat a lot." Dang right.

The water in our building decided to shut off one day, so that was an interesting dilemma. We couldn't wash dishes, brush teeth, or even flush the toilet until the next day. We had to get creative, and I made ramen noodles in a frying pan using some of the little stored water we had. Never a dull day in the mission. 

We got to go about 45 min out of the mission (almost to Mitad del mundo) for a Doctor's appointment my companion had. That was kinda cool.

We have a new gringa (North American girl) in the District. I was explaining things to her in English, and she said "This is the first thing I've understood in days!" It was kinda funny cause I was really struggling to speak, and kept switching back to Spanish. My English is now a solid Spanglish.

Great news: Me and my companion are finally starting to get along. We'd really been starting to get on each other's nerves and had a night or two where we both went to bed early cause we were so angry with each other. Then we had a Companionship Inventory and basically it kinda went down like this: "Look, these are our individual problems we're having that are affecting each other and the companionship, so we need to help each other with them. Heavenly Father kept us both here another change cause there are still things we have to learn to overcome and things to learn from each other. I'm tired of being miserable, and having to tolerate living with you, and I'm sure you feel the same way. Let's just have fun with the rest of this change and be amigos."

We both made big goals of ways we'd try to improve and help each other out, and by golly it's been working so far. We've been pretty diligent but also making jokes and laughing throughout the day, as well as cooking together and singing villancicos (Christmas carols). I've felt the spirit more during the lessons as we strive to be united, and we also found 4 new great investigators. I always knew unity was important, but geez louise if you're trying to teach by the Spirit, Unity is Everything! Like the Savior says; I say unto you, be one, and if ye are not one ye are not mine. (D&C 38:27) Heavenly Father has really been helping us- I just know it- and blessing us for our efforts. Let's hope this continues, because it's been an answer to my prayers.

13 DAYS till Christmas! (if you do the math, that's less than 2 weeks) :-)

Have an awesome week!

-Elder Stolle

Week 40 March 27-April 2, 2017

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

How has everybody been this week?!

So.

Just a short letter this week, but here goes…

An awesome newlywed couple brought all 4 of us Elder’s hamburgers that were the closest thing Ecuador has to In-and-Out. They’re pretty much our new favorite people.

We found a few really good new investigators! We’re going to have a FHE with them tonight, so hopefully they’ll start progressing a lot here soon.

And goodness gracious- General Conference was phenomenal! I can’t really say we ate too healthy during it, but today me and Elder Smith went to a farmer’s market type-thing to make up for it. J

For Conference there was a little group of us English speakers watching together in a side room. Do the references signify that the Church now approves of Star Wars, Les Mis, and sleeping in Church? Hahaha just kidding. But no it was amazing, and I had so many answers to prayers and the questions I’d written down beforehand. I’m so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayers. Maybe not all of them, but just what we need.

One thing me and Elder Smith were talking about was one of the biggest reoccurring themes in the conference; The Family. At first I didn’t think about it much cause I’m not at home to be around my family constantly, but today it kinda became close to home for me. I was thinking about some of the trials faced, not in my immediate family, but on a more extended level, and how Satan really does attack the family, in ways sometimes that we don’t even realize, and it made me so grateful for the guidance we received this conference, which apparently is very needed. I know that our leaders are inspired of God, and that they are the “watchmen on the tower,” and that we’ll be protected from physical and spiritual danger as we read/listen over and over to the talks and revelation we were given.

Have an absolutely fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Stolle