November 1st, 1994 – Tuesday

Today was sweet.  The Lord set us up in a lot of good situations.  He blesses us so much. Today we found 6 more people to teach.  I got a letter from Grandma & Jenna. It’s always good to get letters.  Tonight we talked with Cesar. He’s doing so good. He’s an awesome man.  Today I realized I’ve got a lot of potential. If the Lord could bless me with the language perfect, the discussions perfect, then I could work on getting doubts resolved.  Man, I want to be an incredible missionary so I can help the Lord. I need to show humility & obedience so the Lord will make me the missionary I want to be. I love this work!  This church is true. I pray the Lord blesses me with knowledge to confound & convert the wise! With the Spirit & Jesus Christ on my side, I know I’ll do it.

 

November 2nd, 1994 – Wednesday

Man, I’m getting frustrated.  I’m looking at our goals, we’re half way through the week and we aren’t even close!  It’s crazy! We need to work harder! I need to keep my attitude about time because my companion likes to “hang out”.  He doesn’t do it for forever but just enough that we’re late to the next appointment. It’s something I won’t do. Today we taught a discussion to Don Naranjo for 2 hours!  He had a lot of questions & he’s very important but we missed 2 appointments because of him. I don’t know what was better. Tonight I called Carlos on the phone & he basically told me that he can’t talk about God right now in his house because of bad things happening. OK.  We have a goal of 10 baptisms this month & I know we can do it. I know it! The Lord will help us! I pray He will! I taught a discussion the other day with a parakeet crawling all over me. It pooed a few times on me too. I feel like I’m slacking. I need to pick it up & help my companion too!

 

November 3rd, 1994 – Thursday

Today we bettered our program a bit.  We worked hard & got 4 more references.  We taught 5 charlas today. We’re doing better but it’s only been one day.  We realized that we’d been “skating” a bit. I have something inside me that I always want to work.  I always want to do something for the Lord. It’s good but right now it might not be because I’m impatient.  I always want to leave. We do spend too much time at houses, so I think it’s good. Today a lady breast fed her baby during the discussion to a kid that was 2 years.  He stood up being fed! That’s pushing it. I lent my camera to the Mamita. I’m sweating because it might break. I’m not going to lend JACK anymore.

 

November 4th, 1994 – Friday

“Heyyyyy Macarena!” is playing right now.  There’s a huge dance going on one block away.  There are some pretty smooth songs. Right now is “Don’t turn Around” by Ace of Base.  They play Ace of Base every second here. My companion says they’ll be playing til 2AM.  Fetch. Today we had a good day. I can say today was the 1st day that I didn’t eat rice for lunch!  It’s a 1st, and I bet the last. Today we did a lot. I was hungry after lunch. We had nothing to do & so I wanted to go to a “tienda” up the street (store).  It was a way out of the way but we went & found a lady. She invited us to her house & seems to be a chosen one. It’s funny how the Lord works. Because I was hungry we found her.  Tonight Brother Chicaiza showed up & told us he had a meeting to go to. I felt so bad for Sister Velin. She & her family have all been praying for so long for him & at this point it looked like it was over.  We said a prayer & I cast Satan out of the body of Hermano Chicaiza and the house using the Melchizedek Priesthood & the name of Jesus Christ. I know now that all is in the Lord’s hands. I always think of things to write during the day but forget at night.  Lo Siento (sorry). La Falla (Dang it!)

 

November 5th, 1994 – Saturday

Today started off sweet but ended messed.  We committed Raquel (9 years – pretty) and Irene to be baptized on the 13th.  I feel they’ll be strong. Puyo is a place for tourists. I decided I’m going to start talking to Americans and get references for the states.  This afternoon I drew a Mickey Mouse for a man & his “Helado” tienda (ice cream shop, on its wall). It’s actually pretty bad, but it’s OK. Tonight we had to interview for Don Naranjo to be baptized.  He didn’t show up but an Evangelistic Priest did. He was telling us how our baptism was wrong. I always want to bash with these type people but I don’t. My companion said his scriptural knowledge is to help people not to hurt them.  It’s true. I’m so tired every night. Each week FLIES by! I can’t believe how fast time goes. My mind is always thinking of someone or something. It seems like “one long day” (as Randy says). I love it. I need to press forward! The Lord will prevail!  🙂

 

November 6th, 1994 – Sunday

Today was sweet.  President Farnsworth was here.  Sacrament meeting was very special.  I realized how much I loved each member and how it hurt to see them cry.  Sister Velin was crying because her husband didn’t want to be baptized, and I felt for her.  I realized too my job as a missionary. I’m not here to count each baptism, but I’m here to help souls realize the Plan of Salvation.  To help them to remember it. It’s so much more meaningful to think of investigators as souls & not numbers. Today, Elder Delgado and I are fasting to complete our goal of 10 baptisms.  I know we can do it. I’m not doing it to simply reach my goal, but because each of our investigators needs the gospel. They need to find the truth and be on the straight & narrow. I know the Lord will bless me because I want to learn all of these things for His sake, not mine.  I love this work. I’m very tired & hungry but the Lord will bless!

 

November 7th, 1994 – Monday/ P-day

Today I got up & wrote a bunch of letters.  I got a lot yesterday from people & I wrote most of them back.  We left at 2:00pm and went to visit the waterfalls between Puyo and Banos!  They were sweet! I took a ton of pictures in each of them. We visited Pailón del Diablo and Monta de la Novia.  They were both pretty. We had Family Home Evening in Banos. It was alright. Elder Delgado tried being the funny man of the house.  Elder Sampson & I talked for a while. He’s cool. It seems that a lot of the Elders don’t like Elder Delgado. We slept in Banos.

 

November 8th, 1994 – Tuesday

Last night we slept in Banos.  I couldn’t sleep at all! I couldn’t breathe (stuffy nose) and couldn’t get comfy (itchy lama quilts) and then a rooster (right outside) crowed since 3 in the morning.  This morning we stopped by another waterfall – ULBA. It’s pretty! On the way back to Puyo, we saw a crowd of people looking over a cliff. Our bus stopped & everyone got out and there was a car that went over.  Man, the roads here are dangerous@ I always think we’re going to fall! My companion took a picture of it. (My eyes are killing me right now. I think they’re infected) Today we did quite a bit. We did 12 presentations, which is sweet.  We visited most all of our investigators. The Lord helped us out with a few. He always seems to put a few investigators in our path. Tonight I got a little upset at my companion. We had 2 hours for two appointments. He wanted to stop by to get his clothes.  Cool with me. But he stayed there for a half hour & kept telling me “Tranquilo” or “chill”. I decided that he could direct the program & I would just wait for my time to lead so that I would make sure we were on time to appointments. Well, I asked him a few questions like “Do you think we’ll make the two appointments?” (We had an hour to do them).  He told me I need to get positive. Ummmmm tick me off a bit more & die! I tried explaining once again that I could say “We’re going to do this, this & this. I know it. I’m positive.” and each thing takes 45 minutes to do, but we only have an hour to do it. I can be positive, but would I be honest? Could we really get them all done? So I’m being honest, not negative.  Time just won’t permit it. But he explained to me that it doesn’t matter if we’re late because there is a reason to be late. We arrived tonight 30 minutes late to an appointment and the investigators weren’t there, but were soon to arrive. He told me “Viste” which means “Told you so.” Whatever. Well it came down to he said that because of being late we can receive a ton of blessings.  This is true, but I feel being on time we could receive more. He’s got a point, I’ve got a point. I just couldn’t get min across to him because of the fetching language. So I just shut-up, & he thinks he’s the man. He told me & has told me, he knows it all. Ooops. I don’t know. I know we need the spirit so I’m going to change. He just makes me feel like I don’t follow the Spirit. Sounds like Jenna’s companion.  I’ve got to ask a lot of questions to President.

 

November 9th, 1994 – Wednesday (Zone Conference Tungurahua)

Today we went to Ambato for our Zone Conference.  It got me excited to do better. We’re doing below average.  I don’t like that. Today I talked to President. Once again he backed me up.  It sure is good to know that my feelings are correct and are given by the Spirit.  President told me DO ALL YOU CAN TO BE ON TIME!!! So what Elder Delgado said was wrong.  I’m not going to tell him because I don’t want contention, but I’m going to keep bugging him to be on time.  I’ve got the President backing me up if he gets mad at me for being picky about the time. Oh well. I know that if we’re going to be Gods someday that we’re going to have to keep a strict schedule.  I don’t think God is every tardy, and I know he’s organized. Might as well try to perfect this here on this earth-life.

 

November 10th, 1994 – Thursday

Today was tough.  I was tired & had no energy or excitement.  A few citas were stood up which always bugs me.  But the Lord blessed us today to find Patricio & Javier.  They’re goth young men who have felt the Spirit. Today was tough but I know that the Lord is testing us.  I need patience. This church is true! Today there was a parade in the center. Ms. Puyo was fea (ugly). It was a weak parade, but for here – sweet.  I ate so much today. My stomach is so full! Buenas. (Good night). (This morning at 5:00am there was a military band playing in our street. Practicing for the day.  If I was in U.S.A. I’d call the Police but……I’m not)

 

November 11th, 1994 – Friday (morning)

9:45AM  No. We haven’t left the house yet.  My companion is arguing about How could’ve Nephi worn the clothes of Laban.  Wouldn’t they have had blood on them from cutting off the head of Laban? Give me a break, man.  THese things are examples that we don’t need to worry about. It’s a little bit too far fetched and a waste of time to argue.  My companion tries to use his own knowledge, but he needs a little faith.

 

November 11th, 1994 – Friday 10:00PM

Ok.  We’re in the house.  Today was a tuffin”! It seemed that all our appointments were stood up.  I was pretty frustrated. Plus my companion was talking himself up like he ruled the world.  He doesn’t know it but he sure tries to make other people know his accomplishments. He kept talking how I didn’t know much.  He just needs to keep his mouth shut. Today I realized I need a lot more patience. I need to realize all the blessings I’ve received.  I hope the Lord doesn’t think I’m greedy because I do want more logros (goals). Not for me but so the Lord will have more souls saved or on the straight & narrow.  I’m not smiling much or having fun. I need to change my attitude a little. I just got to watch out. I don’t get light headed like my companion. He overdoes his joking.  The Lord helped us realize today how we could make our program better. Lately, we’ve tried to teach families as a whole but most the time one or two were gone so we wouldn’t teach them.  We’ve decided that we’re going to teach whoever is at the appointment & if anyone misses we’ll get ‘em later. This will help us with our time & logros (goals). That way we won’t walk 20 miles for nothing.  Today I’m tired. I need to be more happy, need to be myself. It’s just that If I joke as usual, my companion will go wild. He’ll carry it on & on & on. That’s probably why I don’t joke too much because he overdoes it.

 

November 12th, 1994 – Saturday

Today we had a lot of success!  The Lord blessed us after a tough day yesterday.  We taught 9 charlas. We talked to Wilson today & he changed a ton!  He wants to be baptized but 1st wants to find out for himself! Whew!  The Lord blessed us a lot! Elder Moulton is leaving this Sunday. He sure helped Puyo out a lot.  Tomorrow I’ve got a lot to do. This church is true! Today I taught the 2nd Charla to Patricio and my companion gave one to Marcos at the same time.  Fun!

 

November 13th, 1994 – Sunday (Tonight I ate Cow heart)

Today we went to the Birthday party of Velin Teran (my little girlfriend).  We were there for forever and had to visit Vega Valencia. We went & weren’t there.  We ate at La Familia Rodriguez. Church was good (Wilson went) and we left church after Sacrament meeting (the Branch all said bye to Elder Moulton).  We travelled to Quito 6 to 7 hours. I don’t like to travel, man. We got to La Florida, and it was sweet to see Goettsche again. We talked until like 1 am.  We talked a lot on things we want to do & improve. We’re going to pray so that we can be companions. It’ll be awesome for us both but also to help the Lord. I know we’d do so well together & help the Lord out.  I hope we can. That’s be sweeeeeet!  

  •  At the bottom of this journal entry:  Brown & Goettsche were together, signed by Elder Jason Geottsche.

 

November 14, 1994 – Monday (Today I ate cow stomach chewy)

Goettsche was AP in the MTC.  Today was so fun. 1st of all, we got up & talked a bit about the day.  We planned that we’d eat breakfast & then we’d do a split. We did an illegal split, & me and Goettsche were together.  We took off from breakfast (because Elder Salazar & Delgado just mess around) and we went to find the Hospital Metropolitana in Quito.  We almost passed it but a bus boy helped us out. We got to the Doctors office, I got my eyes checked and the Doctor said my spots were normal, that my vision and the sun causes them.  He asked me if I wanted my eyes operated on by laser to be healed. Of course I wanted to see without glasses but I’m not paying for it so I can’t decide. I’ll talk to the parents. We left the office & went to different “malls” in Quito.  We got 6 references in 3 hours! I tell you what, we’d be a great team! I pray the Lord puts us together, so we can help the Lord’s work. We talked all day about our companions & how they don’t give us respect. Elder Salazar (Goettsche’s companion) treats him like trash.  I told Goettsche to just be honest with him and patient. That’s what it is – patience. It was great talking to Goettsche. He’s such an awesome guy. We have the same goals, ideas & mentality. He’s going to do awesome wherever he goes. Thanks to Elder Delgado & Salazar, we didn’t leave Quito until 6pm.  They mess around waaaaaaaay too much. It’s cool to be happy, but not light headed. They made fun of a member non-stop. They’re great missionaries without social skills and some basic doctrine. I can’t talk. I’ve got a lot of flaws too! We got home at 11:30pm. I was so tired & the bus trip seemed like a day long!  Elder Folster looks like a stud. I think we’ll have fun together – especially since he likes hoops & baseball.

  •  Side Note:  There is a picture of Goettsche and I taped into my journal that Jason had sent to me weeks later.  It was from this day where we were able to work together, and on the back of it a note from Goettsche that says – This is a sweet foto huh.  I’ll always remember this day. It was awesome. If we were comps, we’d baptize the whole country. Sorry I can’t copy Ballado’s tape for you right now.  My recorder accidentally broke when my comp knocked it from the table onto the floor. Afterwards he told me I’ll be alright because he knows of a place where I can fix it.  I wonder if he’ll help pay? We had an awesome baptism yesterday! The spirit was so strong! Escogido this couple! I sang with a sister in the ward “Te Hallare Mi Amigo”. The song that Ballado sang to us the last week he was our teacher.  Hasta Luego, E. Goettsche.

 

November 15th, 1994 – Tuesday (Mom wrote me today)

Today has been cool.  We taught Carlos, Irene & Raquel, and Wilson.  It was a good day over all, I feel we could’ve done more but it’s tough when my companion is basically in charge.  Elder Folster is here. He’s a ball player & might play at Southern Utah. We’ll be playing catch. He’s a stud. It’s about time someone’s here that I can relate to.  I’ve got to get to bed.

 

November 16th, 1994 – Wednesday

Today was weak.  In the morning, we visited a few people.  We ate at the Mamitas, and then came home & sat around for 1 ½ hours.  Man, I was like “who cares” but I need to change that attitude – now. We next went to Maria Tippi’s house.  My companion ended up teaching her math for about an hour. I was like – get a clue. I don’t feel we should do it, but rather be looking for investigators.  We got in a discussion about it. I stuck to my word because President has my back. He told me Elder Delgado shouldn’t tutor. Elder Delgado feels that he should help someone if they need it.  That’s cool but we’re missionaries, not school teachers. Tonight we talked to Rodrigo Naranjo. He still isn’t “convinced”. He has to pray about these things. He hasn’t prayed. We were at Wilson’s house from 8:45pm to 10:30pm.  He had a ton of doubts, and my companion was getting mad. We ended up singing to him the song about the pre-existence. It touched him & he told me he knew what we were saying was true! The Lord helped him out a ton. Man, I learned tonight that the Spirit is what counts, not showing them how it’s true, just use the Spirit.

 

November 17th, 1994 – Jueves

Today we did quite a bit.  We worked pretty hard. We taught a few people.  Today a lady was eating a chicken head (going a bit too far!) and kids were eating chicken feet.  I threw some rocks at some animals running around. Never hit ‘em. Today I was thinking how hard-nosed a lot of our investigatores are.  Man, they have the message but I guess don’t feel the spirit. We need to identify the Spirit much better. I need to apply what I learned in the MTC.  This morning in a district study Elder Delgado was indirectly ripping me a hole. I sat him down after & let him know he can talk to me face to face. He sometimes tells groups things I’ve said, when I never said it.  Good night. I’m beat.

 

November 18th, 1994 – Friday

Today was ok.  The Lord has blessed us the whole week with consistency, but the thing is we’re only average.  I want to do more. Today we taught Alicia Delgado. She’s an escogido! It might be tough to convert her but with the spirit can do anything.  Today Elder Folster & I worked together. He told me his comp – Elder Luna – bugged out the other day (he always does it). Elder Folster was confused, Luna was in the bathroom, and kept asking Elder Luna if he was OK.  He wouldn’t answer. So Elder Folster prayed on what to do, & got an overwhelming feeling to bust down the bathroom door. He did, & Elder Luna was fine & just walked out. Elder Folster doesn’t know why he was prompted to do it, but he did.  I don’t want to know what would’ve happened if he didn’t go in. Elder Folster & I talked a lot. He gave me advice about my companion. I guess my companion really isn’t liked by many people but just doesn’t know it because of his pride. I’ve just got to try and work well with him.  Tonight he (my companion) told some members that my whole life I was mixed up about the church, but now I know. OOOOOOOOOOOK. I let him know that wasn’t cool. I just let him know. He’s got some strengths & weaknesses. But so do I. This church is so true it’s scary. We have a lot of work to do.  I pray the Lord will allow me to be an incredible instrument in His hands. My only wish.

 

November 19th, 1994 – Saturday

Ooooooooo weeeeeeee!  I learned a ton today!  Today, we did pretty good.  We did service today at the Mamita’s Bar.  Elder Folster & I drew a lot of things for her.  Today, my companion & I were thinking a ton. We were wondering why the heck we weren’t baptizing the people.  We were working so hard, and not getting success. Before, our attitude was “Have patience. It’s only a test”.  Which is true & a great attitude, but we began asking “When?”. Then we thought we were just planting seeds, and we just need to keep planting seeds.  But we didn’t want that, we want to baptize, not only plant seeds. So basically we started thinking on how we could improve our program. It was tough.  We came home for a second & I prayed to God to help us to solve our problem, to think of a way to do it. When we left the house our minds just started clicking.  We came up with 6 ways to improve the program. 1. Families. My companion thinks we have too many (18 or so). I don’t agree. He wants to go down to 7 or 8. I decided to go with him on this to avoid contention because I wanted to stick with 16 – the mission goal.  I figure if the President has this goal for us we can do it. He’s a man of inspiration and knows what we can do. So I’ll go along with my companion and slowly we’ll raise to 16. 2. References. We had an attitude that each reference we got we needed to visit them. Because of this, we were always teaching new people, and leaving aside a few investigators who were progressing.  We would think we had to visit each reference, making our work incredibly tough. But we realized that we can get 10 references each week, but we just won’t set an appointment with them. We’ll keep them in mind, visit them, and tell them when we have time we’ll start the Charlas. That way we won’t have 30 families to visit. Rather we’ll have 7 to 8 (or 15 for me) and these will be our investigators.  We’ll concentrate on them. And the others are just references, & we’ll stop by & BRT and give presentations. And when we baptize an investigator, or leave them, we can pick up a new one from our pool of references. We can pick. Right now, my companion & I decided we have a bunch of references in our program because all we do is visit them every so often. We want “investigators” and visit them daily with strong spiritual messages.   3. Presentations. Like I said, we’ll now give quick presentations to our references, and this will build a better relationship and testimony for when we start the charlas. We can give them each time we pass by. But the presentations for our investigators will be planned out and “Eficaz”! (Efficient) Not just those “one verse” deals. Those are for references. 4. Open Houses. We’re going to plan one open house with a member each week.  It seems a lot of times they don’t invite friends, so it’s not an open house. So really we decided to keep what we’re doing, but look for Open house opportunities. When we give a presentation (eficaz) to an investigator, we can look to invite friends, which will make it an open house. The Lord helped us today to have two. So really we’re relying on the Lord to help us to have one Open House each week. 5. Bicycles – Will double our program.  6. Projector – is great for presentations. Especially here where VCR’s don’t exist. I think there is more but this is the basic. The Lord made my mind so clear tonight. I pray He blesses us to apply it & have success. I feel we’ll complete goals without worrying about it if the Lord helps us. Today I was driving in the back of a truck looking at the sky. I realize how much the Lord wants us to succeed. I know He will because He wants us to.  Buenas.

 

November 20th, 1994 – Sunday

Today was another day of learning.  This morning we were 1 ½ hours late to Alicia Delgado.  Luckily, she was cool about it. We were late because we ate at Sister Belen’s & my companion likes to talk to the families about a lot of nonsense.  We ate at the Mamitas and as usual when we eat there on Sundays – we were late to church. Church was ok. I realized the members really have no clue how to do things.  I need to help them more. Today after church we talked to the Delgados. Alexandra Delgado wouldn’t accept prophets, but I got her because she said the Bible talks in the past, present & future.  We read Amos 3:7 & explained – prophets are in the future. She was always looking at me. I know she knew we were saying the truth but she has some fear to accept it. Her brother is a minister and this might have something to do with it.  Tonight we talked to Don Naranjo. He just had doubts and a half. We bore testimony, recognized the Spirit, proved to him things & he still is not sure. Tonight we prayed, and decided tonight that if Don Naranjo doesn’t receive his answer the Lord is telling us to leave him.  Tonight my companion said all the ideas (I wrote yesterday) he had in Florida (where Goettsche and I hung out). Whatever. He always wants the glory. It’s ok, because I know we need the Spirit between us, so I’m not going to contend.

 

November 21st, 1994 – Monday – P-day

Today was sweet!  This morning we wrote letters.  I wrote to the family & Mandee Ellis.  We did nothing basically until lunch. Elder Folster and I talked a ton.  We went to lunch, and once again someone was sucking on a chicken head. After lunch, we sat around a bit more, so Elder Folster & I played catch out front.  It was so good to throw a baseball once again. We finally left (after it stopped raining – that’s Puyo). We took pictures and played long toss. My arm felt pretty good.  We played hoops after with Jannette. She’s a flirt. Elder Folster & I want to be together for a long time. I hope we are. Tonight we had our district meeting. We learned a ton on obedience.  I realized how important it is. Also – Why be Punctual?

  1. You’ve said a time, keep your word
  2. Don’t lie
  3. People will get offended if late.
  4. It will mess up your whole day.  Every cita will be late.
  5. The Lord will work better with you, give you more blessings if you are on time.  The Lord has the same schedule you made in the morning. If you’re late, it’s possible you won’t meet an escogido (chosen), or you won’t have as much success as you could have.
  6. God is punctual
  7. One day we’re going to be Gods

Tonight Elder Delgado was arguing about how to count a family.  Elder Folster was right, but Elder Delgado wouldn’t accept it. He will after the President says.  Well, a new week. I pray for the Lord’s blessings on the investigators.

 

November 22nd, 1994 – Tuesday

8:03am (Look in the front of this book, by the SYL Card, and you’ll see my 1st gray hair)

Today was a newsbreaker.  This morning I got up at 5:00am and studied for 2 hours.  It feels so good to study, especially for a good while. My companion was worried about what the President was going to say.  My companion said the President has yelled at him three times. I think I can figure out why. So we studied a bit and went to the Mamitas and called President.  He said a family is someone you give a presentation to. Whooo! Then we’ve got a lot. Also, the President told us we’re going to change companionships. My companion was to receive a new greenie, and I’m going to receive another Elder who has 20 months.  But I’m going to be Mayor! (Senor Companion) I have a little fear, but I know the Lord will bless me to do well. He wouldn’t call me to this if he didn’t think I could do it. I pray He’ll help me out in each situation. So we took a bus to Quito, another 6 hours!  We got here to FLORIDA and waited a bit for Goettsche & Salazar. Goettsche came 1st, so we hid & surprised him. It’s always good to see Goettsche!

 

November 23rd, 1994 – Wednesday

Today Elder Goettsche & I got up & wrote our letters to “the fellas” (Ricks College Baseball Team missionaries).  Their letters are so funny & it was sweet to hear from them. Elder Goettsche & I went up to this house way up in the mountain!  I was tired. We did a presentation and we sang together. We’d be sweet companions. My comp (Delgado) & I were late to the office (my last time being with him – we’re late!  Typical.) I met my new comp – Elder Zambrano. He’s about 6ft 1 and has 3 months left. He’s funny as heck. I saw Elder Salazar (my 1st companion) and Elder Gomez at the office & met a lot more.  Elder Salazar left to his house. He said he’s going to visit Puyo! Great. After sitting in the orientation, my comp & I left to Ambato. We talked a lot & he says he has a ton of “animo” to go to Puyo!  I hope he does because I know we can be the best down there. We just need to work hard & be humble. Tonight we had an FHE in a house. We played that water game where if someone guesses the word you put down – splash!  I have a lot of excitement to be with my comp. He’s a “rule man” which I like. It’s good to get away from Delgado. He taught me a lot but here were a lot of things he did that I didn’t feel good about. A lot of people are saying Zambrano is trunky (wants to go home) but I don’t think so.  If he gets trunky, I’ll help him with animo (enthusiasm).

 

November 24th, 1994 – Thursday – Thanksgiving!

Wow.  Today has been long!  I woke up in Ambato. I studied a bit & then we went to the church and had a 2 zone study.  It was neat because we had a testimony meeting to give thanks. There are a lot of new people here in the Zone.  Elder Sampson is our new Zone Leader. We played hoops awhile & Elder Folster & I played catch a bit. We ate Thanksgiving Dinner at the Moore’s house.  It was good cooking but Mom’s is better. 🙂 We left to here and got here at 9:00pm or so. Elder Zambrano is so funny. He gets me laughing good! I feel real good with him and don’t feel like Senor Comp.  We are going to do real well and I pray the Lord blesses us. I want to have success so bad, and not for me, but for the Lord! Today was fun with the Zone, hanging with the homies. I’m so glad to be away from my old comp Delgado.  He did a lot of things I didn’t feel good about!

 

November 25th, Friday

Today was Elder Zambrano & I’s 1st day together, and it was sweet!  We did 2 hours of companionship study and got all excited to go out.  Today we found 9 more people to teach, and taught 5 charlas. We worked hard today!  I’m so tired right now. My head hurts. I pray the Lord blesses me with energy to work hard in His work.  I pray we can show that we want to teach Investigators of Gold. I’m excited about us. We have the Spirit & we have fun.  Tonight Elder Delgado told me Wilson is going to be baptized this Sunday. They showed “Together Forever” and he decided to be baptized.   I wish I could’ve been there, but the important thing is he’ll be baptized.

 

November 26th, 1994 – Saturday

Today was sweet!  We went to the terminal and I got 2 packages from Mom! She’s sweet!  I got 3 baseballs, film, batteries & stuff for first aid. We went and painted at the Mamitas Bar.  This afternoon we worked with a lot of our program. Tonight we had a “casa abierta” (open house) with 16 people at Alicia Delgado’s place.  We gave the 1st Charla! I’m excited to be companions with Elder Zambrano. He’s worried about being trunky. Tonight we forgot the Moore’s were going to be here.  Oh shoot. Sister Moore will rip us a hole. Man, you’ll see tomorrow.

 

November 27th, 1994 – Sunday

Today we left early to the chapel and cleaned it.  Sister Moore came but didn’t yell at us much. Elder Zambrano & I left and visited all of our program.  Church was alright but I was getting frustrated with the Primary teachers. They were chatting and weren’t trying to control the kids.  Man they need to know how it’s done. After church we went to… (my journal entry ends there)

 

November 28th, 1994 – Monday P-day

Today we didn’t do much.  I wrote letters all morning.  I like writing letters. Today we ate at Sister Velin’s house and she gave us cow stomach.  It was so sick. All the Latins told her I didn’t like it so she was hurt. They don’t think too much.  Today Elder Folster & I played a little catch. We didn’t do much because it was raining. My companion & I bought a few things to cook.  We had our District Meeting tonight. I talked about relations with members and my comp how to find investigators with members’ help. It was good.  Elder Delgado has some messed up ideas. I’m glad I’m with Elder Zambrano – he looks like “Butthead”. He’s a stud & is funny. Right now we’re cooking.  I can’t cook trash but I’ll learn some day.

 

November 29th, 1994 – Tuesday

Today my comp & I had a lot of fun!  We talked to everyone! It’s fun being his comp!  We were laughing all day! Today we got 10 references just because we talk to the people.  We decided that we were going to talk to the big “chief” of the military base and we want to teach the whole crew with microphones & film!  It’d be sweet! We talked to some girls in Shell, and they were the 1st pretty good looking girls I’ve seen. They’re probably ugly, but I have no idea anymore.  I got a package from Jenna today full of visual helps. Our program is going great. I pray the Lord will bless us with converts. I’ll just keep working hard.

 

November 30th, 1994 – Wednesday

Today was tough.  We had a lot of appointments today and got dogged.  We walked from one side of puyo to the other like 3 times!  There are no buses here! At least they don’t run too much. The people here in Puyo are nice.  We have so many families it’s hard to remember anymore. We ask Entreceta to be baptized today. She said yes, in 1 ½ months!!  Man, I seem to get all the people with problems. Today a lady told us about a life incredibly tough. She had cancer, couldn’t walk, couldn’t see, and was beat by her husband.  She even had a rope around her neck ready to hang herself. Man, I want to help all of these people. It’s so hard. This work is so important. I pray that the Lord guides my words so that I can help each person in their own way.  I want to be a successful missionary. I want to baptize people and help Puyo out. Man, I know I can think that I am helping people in a lot of ways. I guess my mind is set on baptizing. I don’t know how I should think about each person – baptism or planting seeds.  I feel baptism, even if I’ll get hurt sometimes. The work is important. I pray the Lord blesses me & all my comps with the Spirit to have success.