With a prayer and the Spirit, we can all be instruments in the hands of God

Well, well, well. I am sorry to say that I have a little bit of time to write. So my letter will be short. But I have photos so that makes up for it.


What I can say is that Carnival was long, but good. I studied the entire time. I actually received revelation on what I should share with my district. I learned a lot. But this week I was in another secter and we had so much fun and we were able to have success. Also I received more revelation for my district. I love it. I think the highlights are that we had two baptisms and I was able to give a talk in church.  The baptism wasn't that organized and I was a little annoyed with my companion and the mess of a baptism it was. But its what Presidente Denis told us, it is more important the ordanance than the service. They were able to be confirmed and they shared their powerful testimonies. We also have two baptisms this week. But my favorite is the talk I gave. The purpose was to motivate the future missionaries. I only talked about you guys and your story. And how thanks to a tesitmony of a missionary I am a missionary. Also I shared some things that Elder Smith sent me in a letter that really impacted me. This mission prepares me for 120 years. I wont live that long but its mind boggling to think that. So I shared all of the benefits that come from serving a mission. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been, but with a prayer and the Spirit, we can all be instruments in the hands of God. I felt that way because everyone in the ward was so motivated and loved my talk. It was cool to see everyone change their act with a few of my words. Especialy the young men were changed.


It was a stressful week, but exciting. This week I will be able to listen to an area 70. He is going to kill us with the word of God. I am so excited to be slaughtered. No he is just powerful like Elder Holland. But I am so ready for him to clear some things up because I have been a little confused with some things.


Well  guys I love you so dearly. I love you mom. I have to go. But remember, time is like a dream. Time is flying fast.


Elder Luke

 

Surprise! District Leader

Well you might be wondering why am I writing you on this fine Saturday. (Well it sure did make my early morning tax season Saturday a lot better.)  The reason is that there is going to go down a huge water fight on Monday and Tuesday in all of Ecuador. (Carnival)  It wont be effective to proselyte those day so we are given today to write the family ( you guys). So these next few day I will be imprisoned in our house, doomed to study all day. No that's a good thing because I have a lot of desire to study a few doctrine and new material. I am actually excited because I will be able to rest.

 

This week was very hard and stressful. It all started on Monday when the zone leaders called and asked me if the assistant to the president (AP) had called me. I said no. He said REALLY, I responded again no. He then verified at that point again if they had contacted or got a hold of me. At that point I knew that something was going down. First thought was oh great I have transfers because it was like the perfect situation for that. I was thinking NO I only have two weeks here and they are going to change me. How awful. That is when Elder Leva ( zone leader) told me that I am now district leader. Well that's what has happened this week. That's why I am stressed because every night I finish my information at 10:20 and I have 10 min to get ready for bed, without eating anything or writing in my journal. I am a little stressed and worried because I don't want to be a leader who falls apart because of the responsibility. I want to be a leader who has it all under control. These next few day will be good to reorganize me. But I feel more the influence in my life, helping me help others. I am grateful that I am been given this privilege to have a leadership position because I know that its the way the lord can refine me even more. I am learning and going to learn so much.

Well other than that this week I had a few exchanges with the other missionaries in the district.  Also I was informed that my letter I sent to you guys in December never was sent. Bummer

But I feel awesome. My sector isn't perfect and neither my relationship with my companion but slowly we are seeing miracle that are happening. We are going to have a baptism this next week. So I will have photos this next week.  Her name is Gloria Holguin. We were teaching all of her family. Her sister, her brother in law, and other people. in the end, they were having a few problems and others got demotivated and now she is the only one progressing to be baptized. But its so awesome because she has found this light in her life and with that it doesn't matter if she is alone, she is pushing along to be a member. Its amazing the people who are really converted, and how they just have this chain reaction in their lives that changes everything.

 

We also are teaching this lady, Yudith Centenaro, all of her kids are members and she has listened to the missionaries before. But we started teaching her again. And yesterday we had an awesome lesson. She said, why didn't the other missionaries teach me in this way before? With that I know it is her time to join the fold. To join "team Christ". I see you guys in her.  The Love, relation, and jokes she has with her family. I want her to progress. We have a lot of investigators. The work is moving along. Its awesome.

 

Like I said we watched the Meet the Mormons but in Spanish.  Presidente Dennis told us that very soon it will hit the big screen here in South America. I am so excited for that. I hope it gets here while I am in the mission. That movie will change a lot of the progression here in South America. 

 

Well not this week but the next week, or the week that I will write you again I will have the opportunity to listen to a general authority. He is powerful. I have heard him before. He is super powerful. I am super excited. (sounds like it)

I love you guys so very much.

Elder Luke

P.S. well here are photos of my shoes that are a little worn out. The heavy duty Clarks are still good. But the Clarks that let air in, well they aren't that great. (Leave it up to Brian to wear through several pairs of shoes that the Mission supply store said would last way after he comes back from his mission.  Brian has always worn through shoes faster than most people.  Maybe because he loves his shoes.)

 

Yuck.  And what's with the blue laces?



"Missions are hard on their shoes but good for their sole" - Brad Wilcox

 

I wonder if they would do such a thing if they knew that my parents miss me

Hey Mom,

It makes me laugh about how you and dad find the joy in little things. Reflecting on the past on the tiny little things we did that just started a chain reaction of laughter. Remember the family home evening when dad acted like Benjamin, dancing all around and we thought it was so funny.  Something that I have learned this week is something that is called the trim tab effect.  In a cruise liner or large ships. The rudder is so big that its impossible to move through a steering wheel. But at the end of the rudder there is a very small rudder that is moved to start a vacuum effect on the big rudder causing it to move. We had a conference with Hermana Dennis y (and) presidente, they taught us that if we change just little things in our loves we can have huge effects in the future. It's like the scripture says, "for small things, great things come to pass". Your cute and small date nights cause great things. Its awesome.

 

Well like I said we had a conference.  While getting to the conference we got lost and someone stole the camera of my companion. I love the conferences because I get to see my friends and I feel the Spirit. But satanas (Satan) has his ways to interrupt the Spirit.  He sent a rat to run around in the podium.  Hermana Dennis was super afraid like all of the North Americans.  I might have been a little disgusted inside of me too. But presidente (Latino) was laughing his head off. Finally they killed it, but while the rat was running around Hermana just taught with even more power because she knew that Satan wanted to interfere with our understanding and learning. I learned so much about the Sacrament.  Also about how important it is to take advantage of these two years because it sets our future. Presidente is so awesome. I really look up to him, I feel his love for us. He talk about obedience, that we obey for fear, for desire for something, but we should obey for love for God. Lately I have been applying that and trying to be more obedient always. 

 

Well this week has been hot and sweaty, but also with lot of rain. The other day we did service as a zone and the sun was super powerful and I got really burnt. I have just gotten used to sweating. Before I felt weird but now its like something that will happen and I can't do anything to control it. But there are a few houses here that have air conditioning. That's always nice especially in the chapel.

 

We are currently working with this awesome family but one day the father of the family decided that he didn't want anything. That was sad, but we are going firm with his family because they are firm in God and this church. Wow it crazy how people reject us here. I just go to a door with a smile on my face and I just said Hi and they just say no no no no I don't want anything. Go away. Wow I didn't do anything. Crap. I wonder if they would do that if they knew really how much we sacrifice and do to spread happiness in other's lives. I wonder if they would do such a thing if they knew that my parents miss me. It's just sad that people are so blind to the truth. But the best part is that God always waits with his arms opened wide waiting. Someday they will be brought to the truth.

 

Oh I watched the Movie Meet the Mormons. It was in Spanish and it was awesome. But hey if they sell copies there in the USA it would be awesome if you could send me one. I loved the movie, it was inspiring and so funny. 

 

Oh and did you guys ever receive my letter from Christmas. (Unfortunately we didn't receive that letter).

 

Well that is it for this week. I love you

 

Elder Luke

But its just marvelous the things of God.

Dear Mom, (and to all those who read my letter)

I really like receiving your letter along with dad´s. I feel the Spirit just so strong letting me know that everything is alright back home. And it boosts me to a higher plane of happiness.

 

I guess like humans we can't comprehend all the things of God. We are only experiencing a little part of this work. Its really wonderful what one person can do to change lives. I don't refer to me. Dad says that me being a missionary is changing our family but who changed our family in the first place "Kevin" and who changed Kevin well to that point I don't know. But its just marvelous the things of God.

 

Well this week was really knowing and analyzing my sector and the problems that its having. Its a lot of work and errors of past missionaries that I have to fix. But I know that's what is needed. If I don't do it, who will? Well we did have a baptism this week. He was a little down and didn't want to get baptized earlier in the week because he had a weird experience. But We, with the spirit fixed everything out and he decided to take that step again. He is actual one month older than me and that was weird. But he is a really cool kid. It was a new twist to have a baptism in the chapel. I haven't had one of those before. During the baptism passed a huge storm with rain and thunder. By the time the service was over the members had to wade in a huge water pond of rain to leave the outside gates. This Sunday was also so very weird to be in the chapel for the reunion sacramental (Sacrament meeting). Air conditioning, pure silence other than the screaming kids, good microphone, wow it was weird.  I miss a lot Pedernales but like we always know, God needs me here in Colinas de Sol. 

Thank you so much for your love and support, 

I love you
Elder Luke

Transfered to Colinas Del Sol Ward

Wow um in the last 48 hours has been an emotional roller coaster. Wow. Well this week in all was good. We were working with a young adult who is awesome and smart, he will be baptized this 14th of February. Really, I can't member what happened this week because what has changed happened yesterday and that's what I am still shocked about. Pedernales is a awesome little city. The rama is awesome.  I got over the mistakes that they were committing and found what its doing right. In the branch we have really tight relationships with the members because we work with them and we are always with them. Pedernales is calm and smooth and super slow. But on Saturday night at 10:45 after I had already gone to bed, the assistants to the president called and said that my companion and I are being transferred. So Sunday morning we said a very painful good bye to the members and the converts and we left. We were only able to take the sacrament and then go. I can say that I cried. A lot. Because I don't know when I will see them again, I learned to love that people and it is hard to say goodbye. I felt like I was saying goodbye to my family at the airport all over again. I think the hardest part was saying goodbye to Elder Sanchez. I really love him and I don't know, we have a very strong friendship. I have never seen him cry, but I saw him cry for the first time. But we all have to trust only in God and follow him. Sunday we left at 10 and I had so much hunger, and we couldn't buy stuff so I was dyeing of hunger all day. In Guayaquil at 7 in the noche. We stayed with the elders from the office and then recently today I was placed with my new companion. Elder Condori, he is from Bolivia.  He came into the mission the same time as me and Elder Muñoz. I am now serving in the ward Colinas Del Sol in Guayaquil where everything is loud and hectic and dirty and fast and busy, not to mention hot as can be. I have a head ache right now from all the things that has changed so rapidly. But I know that God wants me to learn something. 

I lover you so very much.

Have an awesome week
 Elder Luke

saying goodbye

saying goodbye

 

Goodbye Elder Sanchez

 

Say CHEEZZZ



Goodbye ocean

 



Hello Guayaquil

 

I know I am missed and you guys are missed but I have to be here.

Wow, thank you so much for sending all the pictures. I looked at all the pictures of trek in fliker and the birthday party, seeing all of your faces so lightened and happy, really refreshes my soul. I am sorry that this letter will be shorter because I don't have a lot of time and looking at all the pictures took a lot of my short time I have. But I am good. I am healthy. Maybe a little not trimmed in the six pack area but I will be repenting and changing that. Its just so easy  to eat and not work out. Its really easy. Now I am not over weight. Just not trimmed. I am good, tired un poco (a little). But good.

This week was an exciting week. We changed a lot and we have a lot of people to work with. But we aren't seeing people progressing. Things are changing in this branch. Its more organized and we are working hand in hand now that we have a ward mission leader. 

okay one story.

On Saturday in the night time there was a storm really big. A lot of rain, wind and thunder. It was good. It shook my bed. Super powerful. When we woke up we realized that the windows were left open. One window had magazines under it and now the magazines are wet, and dirty. Other window threw dirt all over the kitchen. And worst of all was the window that was opened accidentally that lay above our desks. A lot of my books, agendas, photos, preach my gospel, DVD was all wet. It was actually pretty funny. Sucked to clean  it. All  over my desk and books and everything soaking wet. We didn't study very well that day because we were just cleaning a lot. 

Mom and dad I love you guys very well. I know I am missed and you guys are missed but I have to be here. This next 10 months will go fast but we need to take advantage of this time. I am changing and with this change is changing and forming my future. I know its hard this distance but we can understand with greater understanding the relationship between God and us. God wants that his children return to him.  I am making sure that that happens here. Mom you sent me a card once with the definition of a missionary. Missionary: one who leaves his family for two years to help families be together forever. I testify that is true. I am grateful for your support. I am grateful for your love.

Have a wonderful week.

Elder Luke

Well this week wasn't that great

Blessing are just pouring down in Boise, that's awesome. From your letter and the letter from dad it just sounds that all is just wonderful.


Well this week wasn't that great. We have had a few problems, but what it has come down to is that our numbers are really bad.  Its not that we aren't doing anything, but maybe we aren't doing everything possible. The people we are working with aren't progressing and we are constantly dropping investigators. I think its my fault for not trying my hardest this week.  Its been so hard that it gets you down in the dumps. But the Lord has his ways to get us motivated. This Sunday in church came to the branch the new stake presidency. They are really ready to work hard . The spirit was strong. They switched the order of the church. First was priesthood and then Sunday school and then the sacrament meeting. The first class we learned about loving God and serving him with all our heart might mind and strength. During that class the old man that was recently baptized was taken out of the class to have an interview with the stake president because yesterday he received the Melchizedek priesthood. It was very fast but the stake president authorized it. So now he is an elder.

The second hour Elder Sanchez gave the lesson of being obedient. That was my favorite class. He didn't say anything that I haven't heard before. I knew what he taught, but its what the spirit does that hit me. I feel that the Spirit chewed me out.  I saw everything I was doing wrong in my mind and in the end that I wasn't being obedient like God wants me to be. I learned a lot from a story. I remember so many times dad telling me to do something, chores or something, I remember always asking why? Why? Dad always responded because I said so. That response that dad gave stuck in my mind since church to this moment. Because when Dad responded that I  always murmured and I was angry because I wanted answers and I didn't  obey. But in the book of Moses, when Adam was sacrificing an offering to God an angel came and asked why are you doing that. Adam answered "I don't know, but my father has asked this of me."  Adam obeyed because he knew he had to even though he didn't know why. Now I know more about being obedient to everything that comes from God. But something that I am weighed down with is that before the mission I wasn't like Adam. I feel bad for not being obedient to dad. I should have never asked why. That applies with God. I shouldn't ask why, I should do it. I really hope that dad can forgive me for not being obedient for all those years.


The third hour in church, they called a new ward  mission leader who is awesome. And a convert gave an awesome talk. Super spiritual. The stake president pulled us aside and told us that if we work our hardest God will bless us with a chapel. I just felt a change in everything. The work is moving very well here and I want to participate . I don't want to be changed (transferred to another part of the mission).


Thank you for your support and for loving me. this week will be a lot better.

I love you

Elder Luke


p.s. I made a short list of things what I would receive in my next package.


Exercise bands. The ones that have different colors that used to be in your guys' closet.


Shoes. Actually mom, my shoes are going bad. My brown shoes are shot as well as the Clarks shoes that had the holes that we bought first. The other Clarks that are more sturdy are almost flat on the bottom. They work and are my favorites, I don't use the new shoes that often to preserve them for conference and church and when I come home. I have to look good for that too. No worries about the shoes but I would love another pair of brown shoes. Not what I bought the last time but something more like they sell in Petersons.


The chocolate spread that you sent for Christmas.


That's about all I could think of. Oh also ties. I love new ties. You guys can choose. I don't need it right now so take your time.