Semanas at a time

This week has gone great. It rains HARD every day and we get soaked every day, but to be honest I love it when it rains because people are more willing to talk to us haha. We are searching and finding. Sometimes we have to walk long distances and have a lot of awkward experiences, but the Lord blesses us when we put in our best effort. Sometimes He gives us tender-mercies and we don´t have to do anything at all. Last week, we were traveling in the bus and I sat next to an elderly man. I had to Book of Mormon in my hand and he asked if he could see it. In 10 minutes he read the entire first chapter of 1 Nephi...out loud. haha He liked it and began to talk to me about how God worked a miracle in his life with his health.  I took down his number and we will be visiting him this week. I love moments like that.  Last night, we had another cool experience. My companion and I were talking about how we just wanted to find a nice family that really was sincere about their desires to learn more about God. I looked behind me and saw a family with two young children. I looked at my companion and said, I think this is our answer. We turned around to talk to them and it turns out that the mom used to listen to the Elders when she was a young girl. Mission work is BACAN.

Angie is progressing great and will be baptized tomorrow. We were able to spend some of our preparation day with her today and she is very excited!

I love the mission, and I´m sad to see it come to an end. I have learned and changed sooo much. Ecuador will always have a special place in my heart forever and ever. I will miss my panas here so much. I´m so blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve here. I´ve learned that through focusing on other people, I´ve been able to overcome my weaknesses and become a better person.  This scripture has never been so true.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

I know that God lives. He is our father and He loves us. He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us so that we may be saved from our sins and weaknesses and return to live with Him again. As we learn to use the Atonement through repentance, we truly can receive peace and joy in a world full of trials and difficulties.  As we exercise faith and obedience to God's commandments, God blesses us. He might not take away our trials, but he will give us the strength to overcome them.  I know this is true, and have felt deep happiness from knowing and experiencing this truth. 

Here´s some photos from this week. That´s guinea pig folks.