One Week of NO Complaining. :)

Hi family!!!! 

First of all, our President cut our emailing time down by 30 minutes, so I’ll have even LESS time to reply. Sorry if I can’t get to everyone, but I just want you to know that I love you all and appreciate your letters. Second. Wow, can I say you have been to heaven and back. That cruise looked AMAZING! Its actually quite comical that as I was reading about your trip, my companion and I turned to each other and agreed that our week couldn’t be any more opposite than the week you had. But... I know my turn will come one day. 

Well, this week... this week I think my companion and I got down on our knees in the dirt to call for heavenly help more than I ever have in my life. Actually... I think it’s the first times in my life. Our knees have been really dirty. But that’s the least of our worries right now because actually... our whole bodies seem to be covered. I really didn’t think I got called on a hiking trip but these last few days, haha oh i just wish you guys could see what we are working in. (The pictures don’t do justice, but you can get a taste)

Last Sunday we got to the point where it was dark and late, but we still had a lot of time left and had NO idea where to go. So that’s when we got on our knees, with a pack of hovering dogs around us... we seriously were just laughing because we were so desperate that we didn’t even fight off the dogs with sticks and rocks like we usually do. They are super feisty here. But there under the stars, we realized what it means to feel completely humbled and 100% reliant on the Lord. We expressed gratitude for our sector, the fact that we were kneeling in the dirt, scared for our lives, not knowing who to go to, the fact that it was hard to smile and that our bodies hurt. We gave thanks because that’s whats pulling us through right now. It maybe didn’t change our circumstance, but it sure changed my heart and made me realize that even if this is hard, I am blessed and this is helping me grow.

On Saturday during morning studies we decided that we wanted to work together to strengthen our faith. So after talking about things to do, Hermana Israelsen and I decided that for one week, we were not going to complain. None. We’ve even had to walk down the street doing a smiling contest to replace the words that would come to our mouth :) (One day I’ll never have a negative thought. but... I’m working on that:)) Well I’m pretty sure we jinxed ourselves because that was one of the most patience trying days that we’ve had. After eating lunch we decided that we wanted to visit a less active family that we have who lives way out in the boonies. It’s like a 30 min bus ride, but we felt like it would be worth it. So... we started waiting for the bus, waving down every one that came by to ask if they were going out to the boonies and all of them said the bus was almost there. Well, after an hour and fifteen minutes of waiting, the bus finally came that said "Gualsaqui".. obviously we were excited so we got up with all our stuff and waving our hands so that it would stop. As it came close, the driver just looked at us, shook his head like... "sorry guys, I’m full" and drove away. It was one of those... wait, whha whaat just even happened moments. Haha we couldn’t believe it... so many people  who had seen us waiting were laughing at us. So we crossed the street to call the family to tell them we couldn’t come and our saldo (calling points that you buy here) said that it was out. We had just bought five dollars worth two hours before. I think we were in between laughing and crying and Hermana Israelsen was on the ground, when all of the sudden we looked up and saw the bishop right there. Hahaha! Kick us while we’re down. We were supposed to be GAINING the trust of the ward. Anyway... we’ve recovered from that, but the Lord really wanted to test us to see if we wouldn’t complain.

I got a good break this week to go to Quito for consejo. That was heaven. I loved seeing so many mission friends.

Mission friends

Keeping up with this sweet lady was a challenge

This tuesday we were going out to another city called Tangali and a lady that we were talking to on the bus said that we could come and teach her. Score :) She told us that it was a little walk to her house, but that we could just follow her. Well... long story short, we spent the next 30 minutes walking up and down mountains, through rocks and barbwire fences. It was probably a harder hike than I’ve ever been on and we were trying to do it in our dresses and church shoes. I’m pretty sure I almost fell down a cliff like three times. But what made us feel even worse is that the lady with us was doing all of this, no problem, and with a baby on her back. Haha we were sure laughing at ourselves. But at least we got to teach her in the end! We didn’t realize that night that there weren’t taxis back, so we started walking and praying and hoping that we would get home safe. Out of no where a taxi passed, an American got out, looked at us and said “Lost in Tangali, huh?" and called a taxi that came and got us 15 minutes later. We were sure blessed. 

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard in my entire life. I’ve also never felt so rejected. We’ve gotten into the rhythm of walking to a lesson, it failing, praying and thinking of someone else, trying them, not being home, etc. It is a little tough, but honestly, I know that if all my sectors were like San Pablo, I could never come home better and a different person. We’ve had to really recognize that consecration isn’t proportionate with numbers and baptisms, but diligence and never giving up. 

The scripture that has inspired me this week and reminded me that I shouldn’t complain is 1 Nephi 18:16 after Nephi has been tied with cords and I’m sure tired and hurting. He says, "Nevertheless, I did look unto my God and I did praise Him all the day long, and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions."

If Nephi can do it, I definitely can. And so can you. God knows us and I love trusting in the promise that He will never give us more than we can bear.

Love you all!!!

Hermana Yorgason