Feb 5- LOJA 🪷🌱

 This week we had cambios!! I'm now in Loja!! Its a small town in the sierras and it's absolutely gorgeous. The work is a lot different, a lot more phone work and not as many lessons in person. Our branch is tiny but everyone is super sweet. My new comp is Hermana Feijoo :)) shes from Colombia and is super sweet, we're almost the same person hahaha. 

Our apartment has 5 floors and our view from the fifth floor (our study room) is so gorgeous and the sun shines right through the window :)) I still haven't eaten guinea pig but they eat it all the time here in the sierras so we'll see, I'm fine waiting hahaha. 

It was a little sad to say goodbye to everyone in Machala cuz we had so many good friends who made a ton of progress but im excited to in Loja, I'm definitely here for a reason and I'm excited to make even more connections here. Sorry I didn't send photos last week but here are a few from the past few weeks. 

Jan. 29- 4 months as a missionary!!

 Hey guys!

okay this is going to be short and sweet :)

We had the baptism of our 94 year old friend, Zoilo! He is so sweet, our lessons with him are always simple but powerful. It took about 15 minutes to get a chair situated in the baptismal font and there were 4 members on the stairs ready to jump in if needed but we did it haha, first try. it was honestly a miracle and it was so special to watch. 

One thing I focused on this week was remembering my calling as a servant of the Lord, remembering that He trusts me, that He loves me. This week was definitely a tough one but I really leaned on the Lord to look out for me, and there were moments where people we were teaching said exactly what I needed to hear, or said exactly what I was thinking. Im still learning that to have faith means to rely on the Lord but also to have faith in myself because He has called me to serve the people here and has blessed me with this amazing opportunity. Im learning to conquer my moments of self-doubt. Im learning so much. We have transfers this week so Ill update you guys next week :) 

Jan 22-Zone Conference and more

 

 

Jan 15

 

Jan 1

 

Dec 25-FELIZ NAVIDAD

 Heyyy sorry Im so bad at writing emails. Here's my update from last week that I wrote out but wasnt able to send:

Life here has been awesome and crazy all at once. We had transfers this week and my companion Hermana Warren went home Monday so I was in a trio for a couple days until transfers on thursday. My new comp is Hermana Zamalloa and I love her so much. Shes from Cusco Peru!!! Shes so funny and down to earth. Speaking spanish 24-7 is actually so fun im learning so fast and shes so patient with me. I set two baptismal dates on Wednesday for Gaby and her son Gabriel. I was so stressed because we were in my sector because H Warren and I were teaching her but the other sisters that were with me as my comps had never met her or her family so I felt a ton of pressure since I was the only one she knew haha. It went well though and im super excited! 

One of our friends, Hugo, has a lot of physical challenges and struggles with feeling lonely but teaching him has been such a cool experience. I still cant understand the details of everything people say but I could understand most of his story and he told us we were an answer to his prayers. Its like the classic missionary story but its still so powerful when they tell you that. Thats already happened to me a few times and when people tell you that they can feel your spirit its so special, especially when im still learning the language and cant express myself as much as id like to. The spirit was so strong in that lesson. You can tell when they feel it too, its amazing to see that change. 

We had lunch with the sweetest family yesterday and we spent like 30 minutes walking around looking for crabs and iguanas because they live on the outskirts of the city where it borders the coastal jungle i dont know how to describe it but it was so special because the people here live such simple lives and its so cool to hear their stories and history. the city is so diverse. There are a few homes in the middle of our sector that are almost middle class in the states and then you walk 20 minutes to the outskirts of our sector and its so poor but so humble, with tin walls and tin roofs. The people here are amazing though, I love the culture so much.

alright love yall hope you have an amazing week! 

Okayy this week:

First of all MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 

It's so hard to put a whole week into an email. I love my new comp, she's amazing and super funny. She practices her English and I respond in Spanish and its super fun. And she loves sports which is awesome because we play frisbee as a zone all the time so that's super fun. We had a Christmas eve dinner as a zone and a secret santa exchange which was super fun and I played piano again for an ilumino el mundo concert. This was thursday night and i didn't realize how big of an event it would be but it was a super cool experience and the spirit was so strong.so many amazing talented performers.  This whole week was packed with so many cool spiritual experiences whether it was with members or in a lesson or a performance. As I get more confidence in Spanish, the work has become so much more rewarding which has been such a blessing to experience. 

One of our friends that were teaching right now is the girlfriend of an inactive member who wants to come back to the church who has such a strong testimony.  That's been super cool to teach them and see their faith and desire to change. Hearing their stories and seeing their trust in us is so humbling. I truly love this work and being able to connect with these people. This calling to share the joyous message of Christ and His gospel is such a privilege. 

Today was my cumplemes in the mission- 3 months!! Time is passing so fast and I'm trying to make the most of every moment. 

Love you all!!

Till next week 

Dec 11