August 25, 2014

Muy buenas tardes a todos en Lago Salado! Hows it all going? You are all falling into the fall and winter season.. as we all here Ecuador are still roasting! It has been a great week.. I dont think I have been asked more times in my life for my hand in marriage.. I thought that it was always the guys that ask but it is different south of the equator ha :) 

This past week was amazing! Finally we are gettting some progress! :) the ward ahd 270 members yesterday in the church which was quite busy... we had 5 investigadors and 14 inactives.. so it went well! Feels good to have progress. We have 3 maybe 4 bautisms this saturday which is a mother that doesnt have a husband so it will be great to see her and her kids take this next step. Me and my companion have been getting along well ha hes a funny little guy, hell say like non suggestive lines that have a hidden suggestive meaning and its actually working ahah people get the message and it gets done! 

It was quite an a typical week.. other than the super complicated doctrina that i have been reading. Crazy to step back and see how big our Heavenlys Fathers creations are and how small we really are, but to see how much love he has for every one of us. He sent his only begotton to atone for our sins and give us the chance to become like him. Sometimes I feel that we get caught up in all the worldly things and they seems so important to us in the moment, but when we step back and look t the big picture, how much value do those things have? Are we willing to sacrifice the chance to become like our Heavenly Father so something small and insignicant? Im not! 

I see people everyday give up the important moments with family kids wife church.. whatever the case may be because they are caught up in somethig else. Well if thats the case maybe we are too busy. I invite us to at least give it a try. See how clam and unstrested the world is when we take it a little less at a time! :) I can testify that stepping back and putting the important things first brings blessings. Many people have asked how we can sit here in the mission when everyone at home is studing in school, and i responded that there is no college in the world that teach the things that a missionary learns in the mission, nor can it every count the blessings that they or the people they have served have recieved. The friendships here will last a life time. I count very few frinedships that I had in high school. 

I know that when we put God first he is always obligated ( D&C 84:10) and that is will bless us. Know that I love you all and so does our Heavenly Father, he has given us so much and ask that we give back just a little! And when we do, the windows of heaven will be opened and blessign will be poured down on us!

Elder Strang 

August 18th 2014

What a great week! With a new President, come new rules, and so last week we had transfers. Im still in Los Rieles and life is great! My new companions name is Elder Franco from Bolivia. Super nice guy. Kinda of a pretty boy ha likes to spend a lot of time in the mirror and takes froever to get ready, but Ill hope that will just get us into more house ahaha :) We had a baptism last Saturday! Super Strong member. Her mom was baptized forever ago and so it was great to see another member of the family take the first step to eternal salvation! 

This past week we have been contacting a ton, as President told us we would be doing which never had worked before but we know that President is an inspired man because we have found a buch of families that are now progressing. We are teaching a family of 9 which are progressing quite well and a couple of others that we found contacting last week. I was a great week.

On Friday we went to the temple with President Riggins and 2 other Zones which was amazing to be able to go back again. After we had a zone conference with Presient and a surprise visitor that showed up, Elder Waddell, The Area 70 haa it was quite a learning day. They talked quite strongly with us about the temple and how being missionaries is an honor. How we know this stuff that we are expected to to keep and gaurd the things that we have taken upon us. Last week was a big turning point for me. I have gained such a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true chuch, that Joseph Smith restored the same church that Christ placed on the Earth. I know that we have a a living Prophet upon the Earth. I know with such a certain that no, and I mean no one will ever convince me otherwise, I will go to the grave with that belief. I know that there are many people all being children of God here on the Earth, struggling, fighting or whatever the circumstances may be, Our Heavenly Father knows, each one of us indiviulally. He is standing at the door waiting with much love and patience with many blessings. Remember that we are never alone, he is always with us and wants the best for us. Its never too late, never too far in. Know I love you all is weel.

Have a great week and thank you all for the support!

Elder Strang 

Hump Week 

One year down... wow crazy to think that so much time has gone by.. I remember sitting in the plane about crapping my pants thinking what was I getting myself into.. Wondering where I was going and getting my self into. But just like all hard things, they get better and pay off! This past year has been amazing, the learning the people that I  have met... every thing has been what it was supposed to be. Now when people ask, I can say with assurance, I have a year :) 

Im at a weird point, the fact that I year is under the belt is sweet... but its a bitter sweetness because when that day comes that I have to go home.. that will also be a sad day.. The people of Ecuador are some of the humblest nicest people that exist, I to have had this time with them, well for me is an honor. We have been looking and looking this past week for more people, but as always, there is opposition in all things. The zone as a whole has been down quite a bit and the Enduring to the End principle is something that we are all learning. The Lord has his time in all things, and we can only be in agreement. 

Something that I did that I would like to encourage all of you to do is a small look at where you were a year ago! First start with the things that you have done better with, look at them and feel good about it! After look at the stuff that you maybe you would like to change, then make goals to change or acheive those things. Its something that has really helped me and really works. Even just writing them down and having them in your mind, makes them completeable. 

I want to thank you all for the support and forgive as time has ended! Love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Elder Strang