Hello Family!!
Once again, its fantastic to read your letters and it always brings a smile to my face to hear about all the great things you’re doing! Hope you guys have a great week of school and Tanner and Dallas... I’m sending my good luck vibes to you guys as you start college!!
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| Me and Hermana Hull! Oh JOY! |
Well... I’ll start with probably the highlight of my week. I GOT TO SEE HERMANA HULL!! Oh man that was one great moment in my life :) My companion and I got to the church where we had our big devotional.. We had been there about 5 minutes, and I opened the door to walk out of the bathroom and guess who was opening the door to walk in? Both of us literally froze for like 5 seconds, and then gave each other a huge hug. More like 10 huge hugs. It was so so good to see someone from home. Although I still could have talked to her for many more hours, we got to sit by each other during the meeting! And talk before and after. Ah she is doing so great and it was so good for me to hear her experiences, her advice, and her encouragement. My goal is to be like she is in 6 months :) But wow, we had our own little 10th ward reunion right here in Quito, and it was wonderful. I think that was a tender mercy for both of us.
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| Our baptism |
We also had our first baptism this Saturday which was really really cool. It’s been so cool to see how people can change after they start learning about the gospel and living it in their lives. We have been so so blessed to be members of this church for our whole lives, but my eyes have really been opened to what it’s like to NOT have the church in your life. I think that’s something that I sometimes took for granted when I was home because I’ve always been surrounded by a great family, great ward, and great friends at school. The gospel truly can heal people. And this baptism on Saturday was such a great experience. Our church building here is actually very nice and we have a real font (unlike a lot of the sectors here). Afterward we had a ward party and it was really cool to see the unity of a ward who really is SUCH a minority where they live. But they are so strong and so united. Although its still hard to have real conversations with people, they are so so accepting and a lot of the kids like it when I teach them words in English. That’s been fun :)
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| Ward Party |
Although this is still all so new for me, I feel like I’m STARTING to get a feel for Ecuadorian culture. Here are a few things I’ve realized about this place so far...
-People don’t use "adios", its always "chow". I’ve had to really get used to that.
-EVERYONE kisses you on the cheek when you meet them and when you say goodbye. (We just have to make sure it’s only the women and girls with us though:) ) Haha so hopefully when I come back I can get used to high fives and handshakes again.
-The milk here is... different. It comes in a bag and tastes weird. BUT it’s better than nothing. And cereal for a 9:30 snack at night has become a great tradition!
-Taxis.. are everywhere and cost a fortune! But our area is so big that we have to use them a lot. That’s not my favorite thing
-There are dogs everywhere!! I’ve gone so far without getting bitten, but that may not last long. We’ll see…
-The weather is wonderful! I even get cold sometimes at night, but during the day is perfecto.
-If I haven’t already woken up by 5:30, I won’t be sleeping for long because that’s when the chickens by our house like to make nonstop super super loud noises!
-Lots and lots of rice
-Lunch is the big meal here (like I’ve said), so dinner is usually popcorn, cereal or a roll
-People sell food, ice cream, bracelets and lots of other random things on the bus
-And apparently there isn’t a rule about where to cross the street. Cross walks aren’t a thing here, so we have to be careful to weave our way through traffic :)
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| Waiting at the bus stop |
It’s been a good week. Again, a hard week. Lots and lots of challenges from being a new missionary and everyday I realize more and more how important prayer is. There is no way I could do it without that strength and support. I have been blessed with a great companion, loving people in my ward, and a growing love for the Book of Mormon. Like Nephi said, If the Lord commanded it, we could do all things. Nephi has been my hero the last few weeks and I am so so grateful for his example! Thank you thank you for your support and Love. I hope you have a great week!!!
Hermana Yorgason
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