Opposition in all Things

Hola family and friends!!

First off I want to thank the DV Primary and Rios famiy for their awesome packages that made my day!!  THANKS :)

This week was pretty crazy full of emotions, experiences, trials and lots of opposition to make us grow.  But that's awesome right?  Because that's how we learn and develop into who we need to become!

Tuesday I was all pumped up and feeling the focus and strength of my prayers and prayers from all of you and lots of things happened to try and make me disconcentrated so that was a battle all day, haha, but I love that my comp and I share everything so we battled together :)  Also Tuesday I was SO beyond tired and basically wanting to fall asleep all day and in the lessons, and I was just praying during one lesson to please have the strength and the words to say with the Spirit, and I sat up and just opened my mouth and it was INCREDIBLE the strength and energy and Spirit and words I was blessed with as the Lord fulfilled His promise to fill our mouths.  Wow and as soon as my time was done, immediately my exhaust came back.  So Cool.

Wednesday was a pretty weird day and I felt SO beyond sad---like profoundly, and had no idea why.  Everything failed us basically and everything fell through until the night time.  And the whole day fighting this feeling and everything failing us, at the end just felt like why do we ever doubt?!  Heavenly Father knows everything and guides us.  He knew the PRECISE moment when Stefania would be home, when Moises would pass by with Morocho and we would be late or another lesson fall through and when we got to Angela she was JUST coming home and 5 mins before we would have missed her, etc.  Sometimes there is a divine reason for things falling through and He guides us with His Spirit and according to what He knows needs to happen.
Also Wed I got really teary thinking about Logan and my fam and felt really close to Logan in his mish and prayed for the trials you are facing, Logee.  I prayed that you would feel angels around you and feel God's love.
Also Kevin helped motivate us and shared D&C 20:31 and it was exactly what I needed to read that day!

Thursday I boiled water for my shower and it was SO nice to have a hot shower for the first time in months and months :) haha forgot about that.  My personal and comp study was just incredible that day and we understood so much more about the depth of the mercy and love of our Heavenly Father.  We had an amazing planning session and were pumped for Stefania's interview, etc.  We got there and she had left, texting her mom that she wasn't going to go and she wasn't ready etc etc.  WHAT!!!!  Not expected with our everyday visits and her faith and excitement about her change and baptism...so crazy opposition and shows how hard Satan works and how everything the whole week was failing and we couldn't fnd new people etc.  So we went and called her and tried visiting her house like all afternoon and night and nothing.  But it was funny how these experiences don't get me as riled up as before, we just trust in the Lord and that His will always will be done! :)

Friday was one of the hardest days OF MY LIFE.  I don't want to go into details but I finally understood the meaning of the word afflicted.  Afflicted body and mind--I was sick physically and afflicted mentally and emotionally and we felt all kinds of opposition for sure.  Hna Alvarez also felt the opposition and desanimo and Satan trying SO hard to get us down and destroy us and the good we try to do.  I have never felt so disheartened or afflicted in my life.  I needed extra help because normally I can just pray and talk about it and I'm fine a few mins later but this was deep.  I have never felt such a NEED for a priesthood blessng or divine help before in my life and was sitting on my bed just in tears needing a blessing and wishing Dad or Logan was there.  I called Kevin and he was at the temple working in the distribution center so unable to help but without asking, he went WAY out of his way to find someone to write my name in the temple and take it to the session that was being done and said he would help out when he got home. We went out to work and the Lord put his tender mercies in our path for sure.  He put every single Valarezo family in our paths to make us smile and laugh and cry and I felt like I found an answer to my prayers in D&C 132:49-50.  Then it was such a tender mercy seeing Cristian--ward missionary---his progress in testifying, giving us a reference, expressing how we have helped him, etc.  Then Kevin and Cristian gave me a blessing and it was so special.  The nerves, sadness, and afflictions and sickness I had been experiencing went away completely and Kevin told me exactly what I needed to hear from my Heavenly Father---it was clear, concise, and so very special.  Priesthood holders, PLEASE always be worthy and ready to give a blessing and magnify your callings and priesthood.  It becomes a huge blessing, and at times a need for us, women, to receive that divine help and strength and grace from our Heavenly Father through you.  I am SO grateful for the power of the Priesthood and for Heavenly Father's grace and mercy and love.

Saturday we passed by Angela, Cristina, and Allisson's house on the way to another lesson and it was so wonderful to be able to hear from their house Do What is Right playing!!!  What joy and love and the miracle of conversion! :)
Also we went to Douglas and Mayra and she broke down about the trials and pains of raising children and wayward chldren, etc and we gave her love and counsel and turns out in RS on Sunday the lesson was about that and she turned to us and said this lesson was for ME!!! :)  Love them!
Saturday was STEVEN'S baptism!!!!!  Stefania didn't get baptized but we are still working with her and hope this week or the next.  Pray for her!  Saturday was crazy because Steven came like an hour late to his baptism and he came in all huffing and puffing and apologizing and said,  "You wanna know why I'm late?!!" And I said, "Satan."  And he laughed and said yep.  Lots of opposition all week! But it didn't stop Steven.  It was so special to witness his baptism and his conversion and the baptism was very spiritual.  Kevin gave a powerful testimony, David and Jonathan spoke (love our ward missionaries), and the Bishop spoke and made an inside joke to me and Hna Alvarez which showed us he loves us and trusts us and appreciates us now, and then he welcomed Steven and then turned to us and said, "We will never ever forget Steven, and when we pass through the veil there will be tons of hugs of joy and memories and gratitude shared on that joyous day."  He was teary and just thanked us for serving a mission and coming to Ecuador and I was just crying.  I LOVE THE MISSION and love my Savior and love seeing the change in these wonderful elect of God.  Steven will serve a mission and be incredible.  He came to ward conference on Sunday in a suit!  I included a pic :)

Sunday was ward conference and it was incredible to see the results of ward visits and invitations that we had 290 peope there and 16 investigators (including Moises! :) ) Two more of our ward missionaries, Israel and Pablo got mission calls and I got all teary again watching them go up to receive their calls and remembering everything and recognizing now what that call means---a call and privilege and blessing to be the Lord's representative despite our human weaknesses, to participate in His work as His companion, to see His miracles, to experience joy, to become a better person and more like Him, so many blessings and experiences and eternity changing moments!  Wow.  What a blesing and what a miracle.
They are also going to Mexico!!!  CRAZY!!!  3 of them :) Israel to Mexico City and Pablo to Merida, Mexico.  VIVA MEXICO hahaha.
We had a wonderful lunch with the fam Valarezo and Kevin's dad gave the prayer so that was good, and they have prayed as a fam a couple of times this week---progress but they will come back.  We are working with Angela, Stefania, and Karina and Eduardo and praying lots to find new people because we need it, but have full faith and trust in the Lord that His miracles will happen according to our diligence and work and faith.

This coming Saturday elder Christofferson comes---what a blessing!  Well I'm out of time but I LOVE you!

This church is true.  The Book of Mormon changes lives.  The Atonement covers all pain, afflictions, and trials.  The power of the priesthood is real and God lives and loves us.  We can become like Him with His help.  Families are forever!!  What blessings we have.  Share this with those you know and love!  Change a life and experience joy! :)

Love you!
Hermana Bryan

Steven in his Suit!!!

Condor

The Ward Missionaries and Ward Mission Leader--we gave them envelopes that included counsel we wish we would have had while preparing to serve our own missions, a talk, and a picture of us!  We were missing 2 that day!

HOLA familia and friends!!!  

Well this week has been a good week--pretty normal full of learning experiences, miracles, trials, and everything the mish brings.  We are so grateful to still be here in Condor and together!

Last Monday night we got a phone call from Kevin at night telling us that he had taken Steven out to eat and to find a job and had talked about the baptismal date I extended on Sunday (for the 25th that he originally didn't accept).  Well at the end of their conversation, Steven made the decision to be baptized!!!  I was SOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!  We couldn't even believe it.  What blessings.

Tuesday we went to District Meeting with a new DL and a new ZL and found out that the whole zone basically changed.  We are one of 2 companionships that stayed the same.  Crazy!  I'm trying hard to have a good attitude about it all....haha it's the same feeling again like the other zones.  The leaders have a hard time being animated and loving and teaching with the Spirit, and we are trying to think and be creative of how to pump up the zone and how to help the leaders motivate us and how to help us all rise up to our potential and LOVE and JOY in this work, which is what it should be.  So maybe that is one of the reasons we were left together.  The zone is pessima right now haha but it's all good!  I definitely miss Elder Ayala and Elder Falk.  Oh also, Sister Welch is here now in Guayacanes and we are going to lunch with her right now.

Tuesday we had a super funny and awesome teaching experience with Steven. He´s hilarious--way simple and likes it clear and firm and just accepts, and he is getting baptized the 25th!!!!!  Also we got to see some of the ward missionaries and people were astounded that we were preaching--just Hna Alvarez and me that day because usually we have other ward missionaries with us haha.  It's so great to see and feel and note their progress. 

Wednesday was a good day and we got to visit Angela--Jonathan's mom.  We figured out we have to go way slowly with her but have faith that she will accept little by little.  This is what she needs.  Also Wednesday Kevin expressed how sad they all were and he was thinking about changes to the point of tears--I guess I didn't realize that all the feelings I feel inside, the love, emotions, sadness thinking about leaving, etc they feel as well and we all have our hearts knit together.  It's wonderful but painful at the same time haha but just goes to show what a miracle it is to have people change your hearts forever, and they have changed mine and vice versa. 

Wednesday also Hna Alvarez and I were praying to set the goal for September and no matter what number we prayed about didn't feel much and didn't get an answer.  We both got the impression, however, that the Lord was telling us now, "You already know the answer."  Haha we laughed at the fact that we both felt that, and we knew we had to trust in the Lord and set a high goal and that he would help us reach it as He has done in the past and with all His miracles.  It's 4 for September so we are looking for miracles.

Thursday we got sick from lunch so that was pretty fun.  Poor Hna Alvarez experienced what us gringos have to experience a lot more often here in the mish haha.  We also had a lesson with Steven and he basically opened up his heart and told us his whole life story.  I was dumbfounded.  Literally NEVER in my life had I expected to know someone with a life like his.  Everything I've ever seen in movies or heard about or situations, etc he has lived.  He lived in Colombia on the streets for a while and has crazy stories and experiences and things that have marked his life, and I was so in awe of the miracle the Lord brought about in his life.  What a miracle!  Hna Alvarez and I commented on the fact after the lesson that we now understood a little bit more fully the depth of the Atonement and how far it reaches.  The Atonement covers ALL of that.  Wow.  How incredible it is to think about the fact that our Savior and Lord and Redeemer suffered for all of the sins, pains, tragedies, sicknesses, wickedness, etc etc etc of the whole world.  And that He blesses people who don't even expect it to help them reach their full potential and fulfill the plan He has for them.  Steven wants to serve a mission, change his life, etc. and just in 3 weeks has flipped his world upside down all thanks to the Savior and His blessings and miracles and Atonement.

Friday I felt pretty dang sick still from Thursday and struggled while being out, and we ended up going to the Fam Correa´s house--Kevin's family and being there helping his mom and then talking to his younger sister.  It was wonderful to have a home and family to go to when I felt so sick.  Gaby opened up her heart and expressed the fact that she wants to do family prayers and FHEs and everything but is scared to be the one to mention or bring it up and take control (she's pretty shy).  She opened up everything to us and we supported her and motivated her and she said that she would try again to get them to do family prayer.

Friday at night we went over to Angela´s --Jonathan's mom and we taught a mini lesson and knowing their situation that they have nothing and have debts and her husband left her and she has to work to support 3 kids, etc etc, offered us dinner.  I told her we couldn't and that was for them and she just insisted and her daughter told us to just accept.  We were dumbfounded and felt so badly but it was wow incredible.  That is charity.  That is the pure love of Christ and that is consecration.  She said that the things we have shared with her have helped her feel better and it was the least she could do because she hadn't had anything to offer us beforehand and she could make the food spread and multiply that night.  They have nothing!  I was shocked and then felt happy for the incredible blessings she will receive for that act of giving when she had nothing.  The Lord always recompenses.  These are the people I live with and love so much and I can't believe the blessings I receive from knowing and observing and loving them.

Saturday wow was a fail of a day hahaha we haven't had a day like that in a long long time!  Every single lesson we had fell through and every single plan B we had fell through and everyone we passed by for fell through!  Every single one hahaha.

The good news of Saturday was Steven's bapismal interview---he passed and our DL was dumbfounded at him and how prepared he is and his strong desires to serve a mish, etc.  I love Steven!!!

Also I found a quote in Jesus the Christ on Saturday that I love and made me think a lot.  It says, "In mercy the Father sometimes delays the granting that the asking may be more fervent." I guess I had never thought about the fact that sometimes we don't receive answers to our prayers right away because we need to ask harder and really really fervently want it and ask.  And that that is not punishment or cruel, but a mercy from the Lord.  Mercy because when we ask and feel that fervently, we grow, we remember the Lord, and are humbled.  Then when He grants those answers to our fervent prayers, we grow in gratitude and love for Him and grow in humility and testimony and faith and see His miracles and blessings.

Sunday was pretty disappointing because only Steven came to church.  Stefania basically disappeared during the week and didn't come to church, and Karina and Eduardo were sleeping and didn't come, and Andres left for Quito, and Angela didn't show up.  BUT there is just something so wonderful about Sundays and the Spirit of church and the LOVE and JOY I feel in this ward.  We were helping the primary president set up chairs before church and I saw a white, blonde, tall girl walk in and then her family and knew they were gringos.  They smiled looking at me and stopped and I hugged them and said, "Buenos Dias,"  and the dad shook my hand and said, "Buenos Dias" and the mom just a bit desperately said, ".....Hi!!!" haha poor thing.  I asked them how they were and they sighed with relief hearing English.  Turns out Brother Hart had served his mission in our ward 27 years ago when the boundaries were different etc but came back to visit.  His daughter, Becky, has been in Quito for 2 months with OSO (the program that Brit Taufer did a while back) and her parents came out and have been there for 2 weeks and they went to the Amazon, touring and finished here.  They are from California.  Bishop asked Bro Hart to give a talk hahahaha and he had to refresh his Spanish and talk about missionary work.  It was so neat to hear his testimony and hear him say that he feels like he has 2 countries in his heart, half of his heart in USA and half in Ecuador and when he said that, Sis Correa looked up directly at me smiling.  How true that is.  My heart will always be here :) 

In Relief Society, I tried to help Sis Hart and Becky understand by translating and that is when I realized how much of a problem I am going to have when I come home and try to speak in English all the time.  I was trying to translate Spanish words for other Spanish words explaining them and just kept apologizing for my English and my elementary school like explanations! hahaha They just laughed and said don't worry.  Man, rough times ahead hahaha.  But that makes me happy too :)

We had a lesson with Karina and Eduardo and they accepted a baptismal date for Sept 1 so we have to pray lots for them that they progres towards that date.

Also we had an amazing lesson with Stefania and she told us that she had received her answer but fallen into temptation again this week but knew that the Atonement was the answer to her prayers and that she feels this is the truth and told us she wants to be baptized on Saturday to receive the blessings more quickly.  WOW.  Such blessings!

Also Steven was just so happy all day at church and at lunch with the Bishop, Steven was the one to remind about the prayer before eating, etc.  How neat it is to see that! :)

So we are working and trying to find new people---haven't found many new people but have faith that references will come and we will be guided towards the Lord's elect and these wonderful people will keep progressing and that we will have 2 baptisms on Saturday! 

1 Nephi 22:25--Christ numbers His sheep and those sheep KNOW Him.  O sea, His true disciples know Him, know and follow His ways, know and follow His counsel, have a relationship with Him, recognize and heed His voice, etc.  Are we His sheep??  Do we know Christ??

Thank you for your prayers, love, support.  I need them, believe me, and am always praying for you!  I know this church is true.  God is a God of miracles.  Jesus Christ lives and loves us.  He is our Savior!  Because of Him, we can find happiness and joy in this life and forever.  Because of Him and His sacrifice families can be together forever.  Because of Him, I live and love.  This Gospel changes lives eternally.  Share the Gospel with someone this week.  Pray for missionary experiences.  We can't do this without your help---we are one big team with God and His angels at our side.  This is the most joyous work that exists and how blessed I am to be a small part of it!  Hurrah for Israel!  I love my Heavenly Father.  I don't feel deserving of His many blessings but know He helps refine me and make me better.  That is the purpose of our mortal life---to become more like Him.  And ironically, only with His help, can we do so!  What mercy and grace He gives us.  I love Him.  I love you and I love missionary work. Let the joy and love of this work into your lives!

Love you :)

Hermana Bryan

The Valarezo Sisters--Sara, Griselda (Kevin's Mom) and Janeth--Love Them

Kevin and Me being who we are--remind you of Dallin?  :)

   

Gratitude

Birthday Cake!

Hola familia y amigos!!!

Well this week has probably been one of the fullest weeks of my life, one of the best ones and one of the ones most full of emotions!  HOW grateful I am to my Father in Heaven for being in this ward.  I've never felt this way about any other ward and any other people--it's incredible the feelings of just LOVE and gratitude and family I feel here!

GOOD NEWS= we don't have changes!!!!!  We were SO nervous and were sure that I would be gone---everyone was crying and saying goodbye to me and wishing I didn't have to go but I screamed for joy last night when we found out we were staying.  At least for now!  And I'm SO grateful :)

Monday was awesome because we went to lunch with Hna Johansen and her comp!  How I love her :) yet I also realized how much I love my current comp and it's crazy because I NEVER thought I would get to this point with her!  What a blessing :)

We also had a great lesson with Stefania (a sister of 3 recent converts who hasn't wanted anything to do with the church but was touched by a lesson Sergio gave one time and wants to change and hear the lessons now---tender mercy for sure).

Presents, and More Presents!!!

Tuesday = my 23rd birthday!  

I woke up to a text message from Kevin that completely touched and made my day.  What a thoughtful person--his whole family is like that--I love them so much! Then we had a very long Zone meeting but it was so great at the end listening to Elder Falk give his beast and bold last lesson and final testimony to the zone. He leaves today (Monday August 13) and will be home tomorrow!  What a blessing it has been to have him as my leader these last 3-4 months.  I made this candy poster thing for him and he just thanked and thanked me and handed me a letter he had written.  Turns out Sister Orantes had bought me a cake and made me a "remember when" book thing with pics, etc as a present and the zone sang me happy birthday.  It was way nice.  Well we came home and then went to lunch.  

We went to eat at the house of the fam Noriega--they are awesome--part of our fam here and then the Valarezo sisters (Kevin's aunts) showed up and Kevin and they had prepared this awesome lunch and cake and candles and presents all for me.  I was SO beyond touched at what they did and spending time with the people I love so much and feeling their love.  Wow.

Then we had a good lesson with Steven and Andres about the Restoration and Steven completely believes this and feels it and wants to be baptized, but not yet. They come from hard hard lives and situations and don't understand things completely or want to give everything up, so we are working hard with that.

Then we went to the RS Pres, Deisy´s house and she had prepared cake, presents, and a mini fiesta with her family all for me, and Sergio showed up at the end and I was just in shock of overload of love and care and time and presents and just so so touched and shocked and surprised.  

Then we went to Angela and Cristina and Allison's and they too had a present and cake and candles waiting for me and at one point I just said outloud without thinking, "Wow mucha fiesta!" and Kevin just laughed and said, "Let us do it!  It's only once and you deserve so much more than this."  Wow not true---I came home loaded with gifts and hugs and love and care and attention and time and just was DUMBFOUNDED.  I didn't feel like I deserved any of that but was SO grateful for how much I love them and how the Lord has blessed me to be here and form relationships that have eternally changed me!  Also at the end of the day, I was dying to just testify and share the gospel---I couldn't handle it any longer--NOT testifying haha, so I made Angela and them agree to have a lesson with them.  How much I will miss testifying and living for sharing the Gospel!  It's what makes me happy.

Anyway, I was beyond overwhelmed and utterly grateful and shocked by the love and time of the members here.  I've never had a birthday quite like that---it was one of the best I've had, and one I sure will never ever forget!

Wednesday we had a good day with lessons, etc.

Thursday morning I was pretty down on myself for weakenesses, human follies and temptations, etc etc and felt the need to really repent, and Hna Alvarez was so cute because she saw me in our room reading something and praying and she was worried and said she felt so weird not having me by her side during language study and she had never felt such worry or love or attachment to any other friend before in her life---not even her family really, and she feels that for me.  I love her! Well we talked about what I was feeling and I shared with her and shared my confidence in repentance and forgiveness, etc and then TENDER MERCY because I was still sad or down and all of a sudden the song "In the Meantime" came on and Dad, those words you typed up a few weeks ago and shared with me---this song was the answer to my prayers.  Thank you---I felt like Heavenly Father was telling me this directly, and felt something SO special in all of my body and soul when I listened to the words and KNOW the gift of repentance and forgiveness is real and know the mercy of the Lord.  He loves us and knows our potential and helps us reach that sometimes without us even realizing it!

Friday we had a good lesson with Andres and Steven--it was a bit of a fight with the Spirit to try and see how we can help them and touch their lives and help them realize the blessings that come from accepting and accepting NOW.  Pray for them!  Then went to eat lunch at Kevin's house and we got there and his aunt, Janett who we LOVE opened the door and covered my eyes and said I couldn't look---I didn't think anything cuz she's crazy and crazy fun like that, so just I laughed and accepted until we got inside and I heard the music HAPPY BIRTHDAY and opened my eyes and it was all decorated with Happy Birthday and they put a part hat on me, etc.  Kevin's mom said she had wanted to come on my birthday but couldn't and they all wanted to do something special for me and made a delicious lunch and more presents.  I was again utterly shocked and again overwhelmed by the love and thoughts of these people I LOVE.  Holy Moly.

Then we went and visited Jonathan our convert and his mom.  His stepdad and stepsister left them the other day and took lots of things and Jonathan's mom is caught in a really really rough situation. We entered and it was amazing the LIGHT we felt and the change and Spirit that came into their house.  I know the Lord gives trials at times to help people prepare to hear the Gospel and accept it. We are working with his mom now!

Also--blessing was to go to a couple who came to the baptism last week who supposedly didn't want to listen before but now they do!  The Lord always prepares the timing.

Saturday Kevin received his endowments and we were totally wanting to accompany him and asked Pres and the worst part is that Pres was going to let us cuz he liked the idea but the area has changed rules that no missionaries can go to the temple now!  What?!  Well anyway, haha, we had to do with hearing all about his experience after.  His testimony for sure changed and had a fire about it the whole day as he accompanied us.  What a blessing the temple is!!!   While he was there, we visited his family and shared about hope and what hopes they have and what they are going to do to reach those, and they shared with us their hopes and goals and those all included re-activation, etc!!  I KNOW they will return--they are doing it slowly yet surely!  How I love them.

We had a wonderful lesson with a less active lady who doesn't know what she believes anymore and just felt so deeply Heavenly Father's love for her, and when she told us she lost a son yet didn't believe in life after death, the blessing that comes from testifying with all we have that she will see her son again.  This church is true!  The Plan of Salvation is true!  What a blessing to share that with others and to know and love these truths.

Sunday we were all melancholy because we literally felt that there would be transfers.  Church was incredible!  I received SO many tender mercies of the Lord I don't even know what to do with them anymore sometimes, it's so overwhelming.  How I love my Heavenly Father.  I entered church only to find Karen Cruz from Tarqui waiting for me with this gorgeous drawing of the SLC temple and her wanting to say goodbye because she goes on her mish to Peru in a month!  Then the Spirit was SO strong in the Gospel Principles class as we talked about sacrifices and analyzed the blessings we receive from sacrificing. We had 8 investigators and Karina and Eduardo came (the couple), Steven and Andres, Stefania, etc.  We were so happy seeing them all there!!!  Then in Relief Society I was busy writing and signing photos to give to people if I had transfers and the Valarezos were teary looking at them when the teacher asked Hna Alvarez and I to stand up and she introduced us as their representatives of Jesus Christ and full time missionaries.  She asked us to share our testimonies and I went last.  As I bore testimony, I felt the love and fire of this work and Gospel and expressed my love to them all as well, and Deisy, the Valarezo sisters, etc were all just crying.  As I testified of miracles and eternal families and missionary work, Mayra kept looking at me and just smiling knowingly.  WHAT MIRACLES!!!!  

Then I looked out the door as I sat down and saw Josue (my ward mission leader from Francisco de Orellana ward waiting for me) and he had also come to say goodbye with a letter etc because he goes on his mish to Peru in less than a month!  I was dumbfounded at the love and timing of all this and because of all that was SURE I was getting transferred hahahaha.

We had a way strong lesson with the Bishop at lunch and finally feel his approval and service and love :) 

We had a tough lesson with Steven and Andres---we'll see what happens there.

Miracle--Stefania told us in our lesson with her yesterday that she was going to tell us to not come by, but after the sacrifice lesson, said no I need to hear them today.  She said she had been thinking about the date I extended to her the last time for the 25th and was very honest with us with what was holding her back and I bore testimony about what she had felt during the sacrifice lesson was no coincidence but God letting her know He will bless her for sacrificing.  We taught a short but powerful lesson and when I asked her if she would be baptized the 25th, without thinking she accepted!  WHAT?!!!  She was hard hearted before. The Lord does miracles here and prepares the hearts of people for the exact timing.  What a blessing!!!

Then we had a great FHE with Karina and Eduardo and Deisy and other members about eternal marriage, and Mayra and Douglas were there and just SHINING.  They are SO happy and progressing and just excited.  They go to the temple on Sat to do baptisms!  Everyone was telling us not to leave and asked us to call them if we had changes, etc etc and Kevin was SO sad as he walked away from accompanying us not knowing if it was the last time.  Waiting for that call was the longest 2 hours of my life haha but we screamed for JOY and just hugged each other like crazy as we found out the Lord's will for now is to keep us here.

I KNOW more miracles are in store.  How blessed I feel to be here and to be a missionary.  I LOVE this work with ALL I have.  Something that comforted my heart and soul this week was something I read in my patriarchal blessing that I have the responsibility of being a missionary throughout my life and the eternities and I got SO happy as I thought--wait it's not just here in the mish!  It's ok!  I will be able to keep doing this FOREVER!!!  What JOY!!! :)  I want to do this forever and am determined to do so.  This gospel brings joy.  Love like the Savior does, serve like He did, be what He knows we can be, and share this good news and joy with others.  I love this Gospel and love you all.  Thank you for your prayers, emails, love, thoughts, etc.  I love you all!!

I feel like D&C 111:11---the Lord at times pours blessings out upon us depending on how fast or much we can receive them!

D&C 112:14---counsel from the Savior to us: 1) arise--get up and be willing to go and do!  2) gird up your loins---preparation  3) take up your cross--pass through difficulties and trials and sacrifice  4) follow me--do and BE what Christ did and is 5) feed my sheep---always serve others and share the gospel.

Love it!

Love,
Hermana Bryan

My Favorite People here in Condor

Love Bursting

Hola Familia y Amigos!!!

Wow I don't think I can say enough THANK-YOU´s for ALL the birthday wishes and emails, and I wish I had time to send thank you's back to each and every one of you, but please know how much your emails and wishes touched my day and brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face and made me feel so much love and joy.  How blessed I am to know and love you all!!  Wow thank you!!!

Monday we went and visited Gustavo (Hna Jo's convert) and felt the Spirit SO strongly and left feeling SO joyful (Hna Alvarez and I.)  We walked away just hugging each other and said to each other, "THIS is what the mish is about!!! NOT P-day!"  We both hadn't wanted p-day and wanted to just work and feel the joy!  It was wonderful to feel that.

We also got to see the ward missionaries teach part of a lesson for the first time and then give testimony and it's so great seeing their progress.

Tuesday we got a surprise that we couldn't go to DM because my visa was going to expire and we had to go to the governmental buildings.  We got there and waited forever only to find out they couldn't attend us and we had to be back the next day at 7am.  So we lost inspiration and awesome testimonies and the Spirit for nothing.  I also hadn't slept the night before AT ALL (I think wayyyyy too much sometimes without recognizing it haha) and so Tuesday was a rough day for me. The Lord tried my patience a LOT that day and I learned a lot of my weaknesses and the patience and charity of my comp.  What a blessing.  Also the Lord ALWAYS provides here!  We basically started this week without new people and without references because everyone has been baptized, but just had faith the Lord would provide.  The Lord gave us and put in our paths 3 refs and new people on Tuesday without us even trying hard to find them.  Wow.

Also Tuesday (after much calling and asking from our parts, we finally found Angela's registro from her baptism 20 yrs ago and found out she would be able to go to the temple just like I had testified to her the Friday before and felt strongly I needed to tell her that, and then we worked to make it happen and she was so excited she bought new clothes and shoes to go to the temple!  wow)

Wednesday we got to go visit Mayra and Douglas for the first time after their baptism and entering in that house was such a difference!  We entered and felt light and joy and the Spirit.  What a blessing.  Such light and joy!  We started repassing the BOM what they had read and after 2 verses Douglas remembered everything and briefly and BEASTLY summed it up and his fav parts and then just smugly said, "Bueno sigamos con la lectura." bahahahaha We were DYING laughing and it was such joy seeing them reading the BOM and loving it and just so awesome to see that family and their change!  

Also something I forgot to talk about last week was on Sunday when we had nobody, we were pretty distracted because of some things and frustrated and just wanted to find more of God's elect, and so we turned our backs to the jovenes accompanying us and said a prayer (Hna Alvarez and I) and I prayed hard that the Lord would guide us and indicate to us where to go by His Spirit to find one of His elect.  Just at that moment we heard the loud beastly voice of the guy who sells Morocho (arroz con leche hot drink here) yell out and we turned to each other and bolted running.  This guy walks SO FAST so we had to run the whole way to catch up to him.  I'm pretty sure Kevin and his cousin David and the girl accompanying us will never forget the missionaries without saying anything, bolting off chasing the Morocho man to talk to him.  Moises is his name and he shared with us his life and how he ruined his life with drugs and how he decided to start over and basically is alone because of everything he did but knows God will bless him and loves him.  It was so awesome and we saw his light and longing to feel God's love and purpose here.  Well that was Sunday.  Monday we saw him and gave him a BOM and explained briefly and gave testimony.  We basically teach him briefly in the streets--it's awesome.  Wednesday we saw him again and he told us he had read the BOM every single morning and night and remembered everything!  Wow the BOM does have power and we have seen such a difference in the light in his eyes and he told us he has felt so much happier!  I hope the missionaries that live in his area contact him soon but we are teaching him briefly every time we see him in the streets and it's such a feeling of PURE JOY everytime we see him and his happiness that comes from this gospel!  It changes lives and brings joy and love into our hearts.  What a blessing!

Thursday I was fighting off feelings of being down with changes and leaving these people and how much I love them and how much I miss our converts and seeing them all the time and so grateful for the miracles of the mission!  Well we had an awesome awesome awesome comp inventory and we were both crying and recognized how much the Lord has blessed us to truly develop an eternal friendship and companionship.  It was incredible thinking back to our first few weeks together and seeing her now and seeing her progress---what joy and what a blessing it is to see that and have been able to have a very small part in that!

Also Thursday (and every day before that) we had gone to the niños Peter, Jose, and Maria Fernanda and it was incredible to go on Thurs and have Peter (the 10 year old) tell us he is in 1 Nephi 20.  Alone.  Wow!!!!  These kids are so so special and awesome.

Friday we received 2 refs from Sergio--two 16 year old kids who are relatives of his who decided to come to Ecuador and change their lives and somehow got in contact with Sergio and he is helping them with everything.  Amazing stories and amazing references and blessings of the Lord that he just hands us references and new people and places us at the EXACT time they will be there and run into us.  So blessed!  We felt the Spirit SO strongly with them!   Also we went to Jonathan our recent convert and he was having such a hard time being depressed and struggling with problems, etc and I felt strongly that Kevin and Christian (the ward missionaries) could give him a blessing so I suggested it and they got surprised because they never had done it which I figured, so we pulled out the handy dandy manual misional and they performed their first blessing of comfort.  The Spirit was very strong.  Later on Kevin was just smiling and laughing and saying he is so much happier and has felt God's love so much more lately and just smiled and thanked me for everything we have done and how it's hilarious how all his friends know that he spends his time accompanying us.  He never imagined that.  

Also a miracle when we went to visit los niños, was their parents were there waiting to give us ice cream.  Wow that was a blessing---the mom was pretty hard hearted and a non member and slowly has warmed up to us and the dad is a menos activo guy who is married to someone else but living with the mom of these kids and so it's a hard situation and there are lots of family problems but the Lord is touching their hearts through their angel children!

Saturday we had the baptismal interviews of the niños and they passed and were so happy!  We got to chill and chat with Elder Falk which is always awesome. 

Saturday was a stressful day BUT Maria Fernanda, Peter, and Jose got baptized!!!!!  It was incredible because Eduardo spoke at the baptism and it was SO cute seeing him and seeing Mayra and Douglas worrying and helping him practice and praising him and hugging him like crazy after he spoke and did a wonderful job.  What a family and what a blessing to witness that miracle!  

We completed our goal for August in the first week (3). The Lord is so great and we are just gunna keep looking for more but just going out and working and letting Him do the rest.  That has been the key.

I never thought I would feel like this in the mission.  I always thought it would remain way hard and hard work and fights to find and baptize people.  I feel so blessed and astounded as to why the Lord saw it fit to bless me so much in this area.  We literally don't have to contact hardly at all---He hand places people in our paths (mostly refs from the ward) and helps us as long as we follow the Spirit, He directs our paths and really does miracles here.  What a blessing to be merely the instrument.  I don't feel like we do anything but leave the house, want to work, try to follow the Spirit, and love.  Nada mas.  I truly feel so so blessed.

Studies this week:

I loved this quote in Jesus the Christ about Christ's disciples and it applies to us as we strive to do the work of the Lord as mere human beings yet children of the Divine: 

"The Master chose them.  They did not choose themselves.  By Him they were ordained, and they could in consequence rely the more implicitly upon His guidance and support.  To them much was given.  Much of them was required...He recognized in each the characteristics of fitness developed in the primeval world of Spirits."

1 Nephi 7:17 and while listening to Elder Bednar's talk about being a PMG missionary, Nephi understood the enabling power of grace.  He didn't pray for his situation to change.  Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his situation!

"Only by doing the will of the Father is the saving grace of the Son obtainable."

1 Nephi 11:20-22--just by focusing on and witnessing Christ, Nephi felt and understood the love of God and the meaning of that love.  All just because he saw and felt of Christ.  We understand immediately upon centering and focusing on Christ and feeling His redeeming love.

I testify that God loves us.  He lives!  We are His children!  What a blessing to have something so divine living within each of us!  Our job is to recognize that divinity and make it grow until that becomes us and He purifies us to become like Him.  The joy that comes from living and loving the Gospel is indescribable.  What a blessing!  What a miracle to be here.  What a miracle to LOVE these people and have my heart and life forever changed and impressed by these people and my experiences.  How great is my God.  I LOVE Him!  Please do the things in your lives to bring about this joy and love in your hearts and lives.  Give your heart and life to Him and let the miracles flow.  He is so merciful and I feel so grateful and humbled by His miracles in my life and my mission.  Love bursting for sure :)

Thanks for everything--for your prayers, thoughts, examples, lives, love.

I love you and thanks for your birthday wishes!  Have a GREAT week!!!

Love,

Hermana Bryan