Friends and Family-
Ecua-fact: Musical notes are not a, b, c, d, e, f, g in Latin America, they are: do, re, mi, fa, so, la, si, da. It is only slightly different than a sound of music, but I thought it was interesting.
I have gotten quite a few compliments on my blog lately...THANKS. I was not aware that people are actually reading about me. I will try to step it up for you guys, I feel as though I have been getting increasingly lazy with my blogging skills.
Christmas means things slow down a bit in the work of the Lord…or a screeching halt. As we are so close to so many great beaches our entire pool took off this week. It worked out though because my companion and I took an emergency trip to Quito to renew my Censo or my Ecuadorian card that says I legally live here. We took off pretty last minute Tuesday night for our 4 hour bus ride through the fog covered Andes. It still has not ceased to take my breath away. Even better now that we are in winter and there is constant fog and rain. The great part of the Quito trip was that we got to stay the night with Sister Groesbeck and her companion Hermana Bojorge (beau-hor-hey)! That is right! I was able to see the other Gringa! It was so nice to see a familiar face especially when we are the only 2 female North Americans in the entire mission and she just happens to be from my stake, good old Edgemont. We had a lot of fun together I was able to see a lot of the missionaries from my group in the MTC. I would have liked to post photos but the internet is a little sketchy and I am unable to. Next week.
For Christmas we were on lock-down. No leaving, contacting, or pretty much anything. It was needless to say pretty quiet but it was so nice to be able to talk to so many of you! Thank you for all the Christmas Wishes. I really appreciate that you remembered me.
We were able to get some work done. Mostly with members and less actives, new converts as well. Henrry and Yomaira are still doing really, they just seem so happy. Henrry had even purchased a new white shirt and pink tie for church this week, it was pretty cool that they really just progress by themselves.
Hermana Miriam was also a great help this week by loaning us her phone for Christmas, she is a member of about 28 years. She always helps us out more than anybody. She has 6 callings but somehow always finds the time to accompany us to our visits. We are really lucky to have her in the ward. She is also the best cook. YUMMMMMMMM, fried shrimp, verde frito, gapingachos (?), oh so good. She is such a great example for my companion and I because the majority of the members are not accepting callings right now.
On the downside, I pretty much spent the week speaking in English and it is affecting my Spanish speaking skills pretty fiercely. I have no idea what I will do when it is English all the time again.
Love Hermana Whitney Tanner or the Amazon Woman
Happy New Years
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Week 54
Merry Christmas!
It´s been a good week and full of rain. We are also in Winter here in Ecuador and that just means a whole lot of rain. I have always loved the rain though and am not complaining, it also means that it´s not quite as hot here in the coast and that is a very good thing. On the other hand...Rain really brings out the mosquitos and they are biting.
It´s a bit difficult to catch people at home during the Christmas season but we aren´t doing too badly. We have been visiting Julio Cedeño everyday because he really needs daily contact. He had a bumpy week and slipped a little in the Word of Wisdom but he felt pretty bad about it. We really need to get him at a level where he trusts himself. He has really had a rough life and really wants out of it. With President Sloan out of duty we are going to need Salt Lake permission for his baptism, but I feel sure that it will come because if any of my converts have wanted a baptism, nobody as much as Julio.
Gabriela is still doing well, but can´t be baptized. We really need to work on Juan her boyfriend, I´m sure that he will come around though. Gabriela has had a good share of homework in the Book of Mormon so we decided that it was time that she read the entire book, she is getting along really well and understanding eveything.
Henrry Chila didn´t come to church this week (gggggrrrrrrrrrrr) but Yomaira says that he has a good excuse. Yomaira is still so happy to be a member, I think she really likes the clean feeling. Henrry has been gone all week, I´m sure he´s just busy with work. They both seem so much happier now.
Consuelo is our newest progressing investigator but it´s always hard to get her to attend church. She lives so far away and with 5 children it takes a lot out of her. I think next week we will swing by to pick her up. She says that she has always loved hymns and is really interested to see how the church is run. She always has so many questions and most of them are related to baptism. It´s nice to finally have her trust and that she will sit down and listen to us now!
Merly Giler (Hill-er) is another favorite of ours, we see her almost everyday when we make our daily calls because she works in the Cabina´s right next to our house. She´s a bit of a challenge to catch at home because she almost always forgets that we are coming. She really is interested though and says that we are able to answer a lot of her questions. She has a sister who is a less active member, Ligia (Lihea), who we will be working with too.
Merry Christmas from Ecuador, even though I´m miles away I love you all and wish you Happy Holidays with your families.
Hermana Whitney Tanner
It´s been a good week and full of rain. We are also in Winter here in Ecuador and that just means a whole lot of rain. I have always loved the rain though and am not complaining, it also means that it´s not quite as hot here in the coast and that is a very good thing. On the other hand...Rain really brings out the mosquitos and they are biting.
It´s a bit difficult to catch people at home during the Christmas season but we aren´t doing too badly. We have been visiting Julio Cedeño everyday because he really needs daily contact. He had a bumpy week and slipped a little in the Word of Wisdom but he felt pretty bad about it. We really need to get him at a level where he trusts himself. He has really had a rough life and really wants out of it. With President Sloan out of duty we are going to need Salt Lake permission for his baptism, but I feel sure that it will come because if any of my converts have wanted a baptism, nobody as much as Julio.
Gabriela is still doing well, but can´t be baptized. We really need to work on Juan her boyfriend, I´m sure that he will come around though. Gabriela has had a good share of homework in the Book of Mormon so we decided that it was time that she read the entire book, she is getting along really well and understanding eveything.
Henrry Chila didn´t come to church this week (gggggrrrrrrrrrrr) but Yomaira says that he has a good excuse. Yomaira is still so happy to be a member, I think she really likes the clean feeling. Henrry has been gone all week, I´m sure he´s just busy with work. They both seem so much happier now.
Consuelo is our newest progressing investigator but it´s always hard to get her to attend church. She lives so far away and with 5 children it takes a lot out of her. I think next week we will swing by to pick her up. She says that she has always loved hymns and is really interested to see how the church is run. She always has so many questions and most of them are related to baptism. It´s nice to finally have her trust and that she will sit down and listen to us now!
Merly Giler (Hill-er) is another favorite of ours, we see her almost everyday when we make our daily calls because she works in the Cabina´s right next to our house. She´s a bit of a challenge to catch at home because she almost always forgets that we are coming. She really is interested though and says that we are able to answer a lot of her questions. She has a sister who is a less active member, Ligia (Lihea), who we will be working with too.
Merry Christmas from Ecuador, even though I´m miles away I love you all and wish you Happy Holidays with your families.
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Monday, December 14, 2009
Week 53
Ecua-Fact: Christmas isn´t all that big here but everybody hands out chocolates and cookies and candies. It´s more like Halloween than Christmas. You can buy pre-made candy bags and the local grocery store.
I feel like Couldn´t be Happier is becoming the slogan of my life here in El Carmen. I love it and the people more and more everyday. The best news is that after 6 weeks together my companion, Hermana del Águila, and I will be staying together for Christmas. I´m so happy and relieved to have my favorite companion for the Holidays.
Julio Cedeño is still really doing well and was able to come to church this week which is a pretty big sacrifice on his part. We are trying so hard to get him his second interview but with President Sloan on bedrest it is proving to be quite the difficult task. He finally decided to gift each of us a pair of his earrings and we are working on the other pairs. He also hasn´t been to the Discotecha in 3 weeks, I feel bad that he can´t dance but it´s better if he avoids the whole drug, alcohol, women scene because those are his biggest vices.
Gabriela Loor is also doing really well, she came to church this week on her own. We usually have to bring her, but this week she told us that she really felt that she needed to attend. We also found out why we have never been robbed in Union Popular where Gabriela lives. Turns out that Julio Cedeño and Gabriela used to be a couple and he told us that the reason nothing has ever happened to us there is because Gabriela´s brothers are pretty notorious for gang behavior. It´s pretty sweet that we have a protection order from Gabriela. Nobody can touch us in all of El Carmen. Sweet.
Henrry and Yomaira are also still doing really well and seem to be fitting in nicely in our small ward. Henrry recieved the Aaronic Priesthood this week and he seems so happy with Yomaira. They still have their ups and downs but seem to be working through things much better.
We are getting excited for Christmas here in Ecuador and hope that everybody back home has the Happiest of Holidays! Remember it´s all about Christ not the money ya spend.
Merry Christmas,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I had the most amazing Encebollada for breakfast (ie. tomato fish soup with banana chips.......yummy, in a non-sarcastic way) I´m going to miss Ecuador.
I feel like Couldn´t be Happier is becoming the slogan of my life here in El Carmen. I love it and the people more and more everyday. The best news is that after 6 weeks together my companion, Hermana del Águila, and I will be staying together for Christmas. I´m so happy and relieved to have my favorite companion for the Holidays.
Julio Cedeño is still really doing well and was able to come to church this week which is a pretty big sacrifice on his part. We are trying so hard to get him his second interview but with President Sloan on bedrest it is proving to be quite the difficult task. He finally decided to gift each of us a pair of his earrings and we are working on the other pairs. He also hasn´t been to the Discotecha in 3 weeks, I feel bad that he can´t dance but it´s better if he avoids the whole drug, alcohol, women scene because those are his biggest vices.
Gabriela Loor is also doing really well, she came to church this week on her own. We usually have to bring her, but this week she told us that she really felt that she needed to attend. We also found out why we have never been robbed in Union Popular where Gabriela lives. Turns out that Julio Cedeño and Gabriela used to be a couple and he told us that the reason nothing has ever happened to us there is because Gabriela´s brothers are pretty notorious for gang behavior. It´s pretty sweet that we have a protection order from Gabriela. Nobody can touch us in all of El Carmen. Sweet.
Henrry and Yomaira are also still doing really well and seem to be fitting in nicely in our small ward. Henrry recieved the Aaronic Priesthood this week and he seems so happy with Yomaira. They still have their ups and downs but seem to be working through things much better.
We are getting excited for Christmas here in Ecuador and hope that everybody back home has the Happiest of Holidays! Remember it´s all about Christ not the money ya spend.
Merry Christmas,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I had the most amazing Encebollada for breakfast (ie. tomato fish soup with banana chips.......yummy, in a non-sarcastic way) I´m going to miss Ecuador.
Week 53 in Photos
We had changes and I get to stay with my favorite companion in my favorite sector for CHRISTMAS 2009.
Julio Cedeño...
Who finally caved and gave my companion and I his earrings!!! No we just have to get his other 18 pairs.
Coast Post for Dad
A typical home in the coast.
Me and the Platano (Plaintain) Trees.
I told you that they had a lot of banana. This is Verde or Plaintain, it doesn´t exist in the States.
It´s also one of my favorite things ever...ummmmmm. It´s not sweet and used more like a vegetable.Week 52 in Photos
The Family Chila Freire
Henrry Chila, Yomaira Freire, Eduardo, y Julito.
That´s right I was a witness, jeez, I´m tall.
Henrry Chila, Yomaira Freire, Eduardo, y Julito.
That´s right I was a witness, jeez, I´m tall.Happy Birthday Mom and Dad
No I didn´t forget, I just didn´t plan my preparation day very well last week! I love you both so much and hope you had a great birthday!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Week 52
Everybody-
Can I just tell you all that Week 52 of my mission has been one of the most awesome ever! I am utterly and completely exhausted but every second was worth it.
The biggest news is that Henrry Chila and Yomaira Freire got married this Friday and my companion and I were the witnesses! It was pretty cool stuff. Then Saturday Yomaira didn´t have to get baptized alone. Henrry decided that he was ready after all. They were baptized together. It was amazing, and I´m completely over the moon, deleriously happy. I even decided to make a chocolate cake. I was surprised that it turned out, with the exception of the frosting being slightly grainy. Chocolate cake here is pretty rare so I think everybody enjoyed it. I can´t post pictures this week because my computer is older than I am, but I promise I´ll post some good ones next week.
Henrry and Yomaira seem to be so happy and my companion and I are so grateful for the miracles of the mission. It really is so great to be a part of the change that the gospel brings. It really is "bone deep joy". I can´t really describe it properly, but I´m sure many of you already understand. Especially when we are lucky enough to find families who are ready to recieve the gospel.
Julio Cedeño is doing really well, we are still on for this Saturday assuming that we can get his second interview this week. He really is special. We are still working on the earrings but he always takes them out when he enters the church building. I think he really struggles with not feeling worthy, he kept making jokes about bursting into flame when he steps inside the church. We left him some homework in the Bible, Luke 15. Hopefully it will give him some hope and faith. He didn´t go to the bars this weekend which for him is a huge sacrifice because he loves to dance. He said it was better to stay away from his vices, all of which can be found in clubs and bars.
We are busy looking for new investigators so that when are golden pool dries up we will have another ready to be baptized. El Carmen really is so promising and I´m still completely in love with the coast. It´s been pouring here and I´m in heaven. Unfortunately when it rains it´s hotter at night, but the roads are less dusty and I don´t like cleaning my shoes everyday. The only down-side of the coast that I can find is that the number of creatures that freak Whitney out seems to have grown, but I´m quickly overcoming my fear of small scuttling objects.
I´m truly so happy, and couldn´t be happier about Christmas in the coast, I´ll be cuddled up in hamock listening to yellowbird. I´ll be home soon enough, but for now I get to love my mission, and I really do so much!
Sister Whitney Tanner
Can I just tell you all that Week 52 of my mission has been one of the most awesome ever! I am utterly and completely exhausted but every second was worth it.
The biggest news is that Henrry Chila and Yomaira Freire got married this Friday and my companion and I were the witnesses! It was pretty cool stuff. Then Saturday Yomaira didn´t have to get baptized alone. Henrry decided that he was ready after all. They were baptized together. It was amazing, and I´m completely over the moon, deleriously happy. I even decided to make a chocolate cake. I was surprised that it turned out, with the exception of the frosting being slightly grainy. Chocolate cake here is pretty rare so I think everybody enjoyed it. I can´t post pictures this week because my computer is older than I am, but I promise I´ll post some good ones next week.
Henrry and Yomaira seem to be so happy and my companion and I are so grateful for the miracles of the mission. It really is so great to be a part of the change that the gospel brings. It really is "bone deep joy". I can´t really describe it properly, but I´m sure many of you already understand. Especially when we are lucky enough to find families who are ready to recieve the gospel.
Julio Cedeño is doing really well, we are still on for this Saturday assuming that we can get his second interview this week. He really is special. We are still working on the earrings but he always takes them out when he enters the church building. I think he really struggles with not feeling worthy, he kept making jokes about bursting into flame when he steps inside the church. We left him some homework in the Bible, Luke 15. Hopefully it will give him some hope and faith. He didn´t go to the bars this weekend which for him is a huge sacrifice because he loves to dance. He said it was better to stay away from his vices, all of which can be found in clubs and bars.
We are busy looking for new investigators so that when are golden pool dries up we will have another ready to be baptized. El Carmen really is so promising and I´m still completely in love with the coast. It´s been pouring here and I´m in heaven. Unfortunately when it rains it´s hotter at night, but the roads are less dusty and I don´t like cleaning my shoes everyday. The only down-side of the coast that I can find is that the number of creatures that freak Whitney out seems to have grown, but I´m quickly overcoming my fear of small scuttling objects.
I´m truly so happy, and couldn´t be happier about Christmas in the coast, I´ll be cuddled up in hamock listening to yellowbird. I´ll be home soon enough, but for now I get to love my mission, and I really do so much!
Sister Whitney Tanner
Monday, November 30, 2009
Week 51
Patacones, perhaps the most amazing thing I´ve learned to make on my mission. When I get home your going to love me for making them. If we can find Platano...hmmmmm. Yes I actually made them myself, my Thanksgiving treat.
I love the Coast, it´s stunning.
Don´t worry they don´t actually live there...Elder Matsen and Elder Aguilar.
Can ya feel the comp love?Everybody-
Ecua-fact: Patacónes, made from Verde, which is a type of non-ripe, non-sweet banana. They are eaten like french fries and totally amazing. I learned to fry things on my mission...not a great habit to get into.
Another killer week in the life of me, Sister Tanner. I think you all know how much I´m loving the coast. I may have done a little gushing.
The bad news is that our baptismal list fell through for this month, we did a little trudging and felt sorry for ourselves for a day or 2 but now are looking forward to December because it looks like it´s going to be a successful month for us.
Henrry and Yomaira will be getting married Friday, we´ve already got their documents and just have to leave them at the Registro Civil this week along with ours because we get to be the witnesses. I don´t feel old enough to be a witness to a wedding. We aren´t one hundred percent that Henrry will be getting baptized this Saturday. All things are go for Yomaira though, she is so happy and ready to be baptized.
Julio Cedeño is also really making progress, he is looking forward to his baptism on the 12th of December, we might have to move it back a bit though for another interview. He´s agreeded to give my companion and I each one of his earrings for Christmas. They are pretty horrible spikey things, that look like they could do a great deal of damage. He´s one of my favorites though and is pretty funny too. He did have a little fall with the Word of Wisdom this week. He´s had a tough life though and pretty much raised himself, he´s studying in the University and everything. He´s strong and I´ve no doubt that he can conquer his temptations (it´s a long list too).
Rosa and Vidal are making slow progress, but it´s progress. Rosa is really great, but we are having a hard time getting them to attend church. I´m sure that is every missionaries problem though. Attending church seems to be the last thing anybody seems to want to do. Working on it though.
For Thanksgiving I ate rice and fish, it was cool though. Mostly because fish is becoming my favorite food and quickly. I know you are all shocked. Don´t you love it though. I still hate with all the passion that I posess Shrimp. Ewww. The texture alone.
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ode to My District and My Companion
Freaked me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you tell that I really love Hermana Del Águila?
Super District, we are pretty rad. Elder Matsen says hi Mattaya Pitta...weird how small the world is.
Baptism de Geraldin
She was pretty happy!
Geraldin and her family, Alejandro is missing because he doesn´t like pictures.
We had a pretty good turn out.
Felipe, brother of Geraldin, he´s just so cute.
Geraldin with the Primary.
Week 50
Everybody-
Ecua-fact: Uh-uh is yes here, it really throws one off for a couple of months. You have to say it with your mouth open, and to say no it´s with the mouth closed. Might throw some of you off when I get back home.
Wow my time is really flying by, it kinda makes me want to have a companion that I don´t like so the time drags...NAH, so not worth it. As you can see I´m still deliriously happy here in El Carmen! I love it, and have I mentioned the banana trees? How great is my life? I love my companion, and I love my investigators.
Julio Cedeño is one of the best. He´s doing really well and even cut his long hair, it really looks so much cleaner. He´s totally ready for baptism in December, we´re shooting for the 12th. I´m still working on getting him to take out his earrings, really horrible spikes. He also likes to go dancing, trying to get rid of the whole bar scene thing too. He´s not drinking though and things are good on the Law of Chastity too.
Gabriela is still progressing too, she just seems so sad lately because her husband doesn´t want to get married. I think a lot of women really feel hurt when they find out that their boyfriends don´t actually love them enough to marry them. It makes me so sad for her, she really wants to be baptized. She also got really mad when we didn´t visit her Saturday, she totally loves us! We feel the same way.
Henry and Yomaira aren´t doing all that well, we are still on for the wedding but it looks like Henry´s got a few hang-ups still. He´s also got some problems with the law of chastity. MEN. We are ready to go ahead with Yomaira, she´s so ready.
Our Baptisms are really lining up for December but it looks like we will be losing a few for November. I´m not going to feel too bad about it as long as December is amazing. I completely forgot that this week is Thanksgiving...weird. I´m going to spend Christmas in my Hamock, jealous?
We got quite a few new investigators this week and are excited to get to know them all better. I´m still dying of heat and dirt, I´ve never felt this dirty in all my life.
Love ya lots,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
PS. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving. I had a really sweet day of the dead, so I´m not sweating it.
Ecua-fact: Uh-uh is yes here, it really throws one off for a couple of months. You have to say it with your mouth open, and to say no it´s with the mouth closed. Might throw some of you off when I get back home.
Wow my time is really flying by, it kinda makes me want to have a companion that I don´t like so the time drags...NAH, so not worth it. As you can see I´m still deliriously happy here in El Carmen! I love it, and have I mentioned the banana trees? How great is my life? I love my companion, and I love my investigators.
Julio Cedeño is one of the best. He´s doing really well and even cut his long hair, it really looks so much cleaner. He´s totally ready for baptism in December, we´re shooting for the 12th. I´m still working on getting him to take out his earrings, really horrible spikes. He also likes to go dancing, trying to get rid of the whole bar scene thing too. He´s not drinking though and things are good on the Law of Chastity too.
Gabriela is still progressing too, she just seems so sad lately because her husband doesn´t want to get married. I think a lot of women really feel hurt when they find out that their boyfriends don´t actually love them enough to marry them. It makes me so sad for her, she really wants to be baptized. She also got really mad when we didn´t visit her Saturday, she totally loves us! We feel the same way.
Henry and Yomaira aren´t doing all that well, we are still on for the wedding but it looks like Henry´s got a few hang-ups still. He´s also got some problems with the law of chastity. MEN. We are ready to go ahead with Yomaira, she´s so ready.
Our Baptisms are really lining up for December but it looks like we will be losing a few for November. I´m not going to feel too bad about it as long as December is amazing. I completely forgot that this week is Thanksgiving...weird. I´m going to spend Christmas in my Hamock, jealous?
We got quite a few new investigators this week and are excited to get to know them all better. I´m still dying of heat and dirt, I´ve never felt this dirty in all my life.
Love ya lots,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
PS. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving. I had a really sweet day of the dead, so I´m not sweating it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Week 49
Ecua-fact: I have yet to be in a home that doesn´t have a television...sometimes they are houses made of caña, or bamboo. It´s crazy the value placed on electronics.
Everybody-
Your girl is good! I am really loving the coast it´s totally amazing! Crazy hot, and humid, and loaded with mosquitos. It´s also everything I could have hoped for. The poverty level is a bit higher and there are definitely some dangerous parts of town. It´s crazy that I love it so much! It could be in part due to my companion, Hermana del Águila. She is so much fun, and I absolutely love her.
Ecuador is having a bit of an energy crisis because of the lack of rainfall. They have been cutting the power daily for about 8 hours, on a national level. It´s pretty disorganized and is really making things hard for the mission work because we have to be in before it´s dark when there isn´t power in the night. A little dangerous in El Carmen. They say it´s going to be cut down to 2 hours a day, we´re really hoping.
This week was great, Geraldin (Herald-in) Esterilla was baptized this week! Her mother Estefany really would like to be baptized also but her husband isn´t too fond of the whole Marriage idea. Go figure. I´ll have to post pictures next week...sorry! It was a pretty flawless baptismal service, which is pretty great because they usually have some pretty high levels of stress.
My companion and I are also planning the wedding of Henri and Yomaira for 27th of November. I still think we are more excited than they are. Yomaira is so excited and we are trying to get Henri excited as well, he´s a bit more hesitant about baptism. We have an appointment with them tonight in the shady part of town. They are so great and really are gaining strong testimonies of the gospel.
Gabriela Loor is also really progressing well, she really wants to be baptized. Unfortunately her "spouse" isn´t too fond of marriage either. Men...we are on it though. She is so different now than when I met her just 2 weeks ago. I can hardly believe the change. She really loves the missionaries too.
Rolando Chango also has a baptismal date for the end of November. I never cease to be amazed when a young, 20-something, male reads his pamphlets about the law of chastity and all the chapters we assign him in the Book of Mormon. It´s awesome. He really is great and has so much interest. He feels a little unprepared for the end of November but he´ll get there, I´m sure of it.
I would like everybody to know that for the first time in my life I have completed a journal. That´s right, all 304 pages and I´ve started my second. Looks like I can stick with my goals when it´s really important to me. I´m glad I´ll always be able to remember my mission so well, it really is a unique time in your life.
Love ya,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I´m going to harvest Cacao this Saturday... jealous?
Everybody-
Your girl is good! I am really loving the coast it´s totally amazing! Crazy hot, and humid, and loaded with mosquitos. It´s also everything I could have hoped for. The poverty level is a bit higher and there are definitely some dangerous parts of town. It´s crazy that I love it so much! It could be in part due to my companion, Hermana del Águila. She is so much fun, and I absolutely love her.
Ecuador is having a bit of an energy crisis because of the lack of rainfall. They have been cutting the power daily for about 8 hours, on a national level. It´s pretty disorganized and is really making things hard for the mission work because we have to be in before it´s dark when there isn´t power in the night. A little dangerous in El Carmen. They say it´s going to be cut down to 2 hours a day, we´re really hoping.
This week was great, Geraldin (Herald-in) Esterilla was baptized this week! Her mother Estefany really would like to be baptized also but her husband isn´t too fond of the whole Marriage idea. Go figure. I´ll have to post pictures next week...sorry! It was a pretty flawless baptismal service, which is pretty great because they usually have some pretty high levels of stress.
My companion and I are also planning the wedding of Henri and Yomaira for 27th of November. I still think we are more excited than they are. Yomaira is so excited and we are trying to get Henri excited as well, he´s a bit more hesitant about baptism. We have an appointment with them tonight in the shady part of town. They are so great and really are gaining strong testimonies of the gospel.
Gabriela Loor is also really progressing well, she really wants to be baptized. Unfortunately her "spouse" isn´t too fond of marriage either. Men...we are on it though. She is so different now than when I met her just 2 weeks ago. I can hardly believe the change. She really loves the missionaries too.
Rolando Chango also has a baptismal date for the end of November. I never cease to be amazed when a young, 20-something, male reads his pamphlets about the law of chastity and all the chapters we assign him in the Book of Mormon. It´s awesome. He really is great and has so much interest. He feels a little unprepared for the end of November but he´ll get there, I´m sure of it.
I would like everybody to know that for the first time in my life I have completed a journal. That´s right, all 304 pages and I´ve started my second. Looks like I can stick with my goals when it´s really important to me. I´m glad I´ll always be able to remember my mission so well, it really is a unique time in your life.
Love ya,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I´m going to harvest Cacao this Saturday... jealous?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week 48
Everybody-
I couldn´t be happier here in the coast, I feel like the adventure in my mission has really kicked in. I love El Carmen, it´s beautiful and super amazing and every day I wake up to Banana trees which reminds me of my favorite childhood song. Wow is it hot though, we only sleep with our sheets and mosquito netting. I´m not a huge fan of the cockroaches though and they really freak me out. Fortunately for me, my companion doesn´t have a problem killing them...
Hermana del Aguila is amazing, definitely one of my favorites I feel like I have a real friend. We are always talking about everything. I love having her!
We are having a lot of success here in El Carmen! We will be having 5 baptisms at the end of this month, it was a week of baptismal challenges. Gabriela Loor is one of them, she is so much fun. Always completes her homework and really has desires to be baptized. She just has to get married first! Jomaira and Henri are also going to be getting married and baptized this month. Hermana del Águila and I are planning the wedding. Should be awesome!
Marriage is not a very popular word in the coast and NOBODY is. It a great thing that I love to teach the Law of Chastity.
Love you all,
Hermana Tanner
There are also a good number of you who speak spanish so I´ll be posting in Spanish now too.
Saludos Todos-
No puedo ser mas feliz (como misionera) aquí en la costa! Es bella y es cheverisimo que cada día puedo ver arboles de platano. Hay calor y solo dormimos con savanas y mi mosquitero. Es la misión que yo esperaba en mi casa cuando tenia mi visión de Ecuador. No me gusta las cucarachas...son grandes y ya saben que me da muchisimo miedo, lo bueno es que mi compa no tiene este miedo!
Hermana del Águila es chevere también, estoy muy agradacida que tengo la oportunidad de ser compañera de ella. Somos bien amigas y siempre estamos charlando. Ella es una grande alivio para mi.
Es duro para mi estar tan lejos de Ambato (por un solo razón) pero estoy muy feliz y contenta con mis nuevas circunstancias.
Tenemos 5 personas con fecha bautismal y cada uno es muy especial. Tengo muchos animos para nuestra programa. Gabriela Loor es uno de ellos y una de las primeras personas que yo pudia conocer. Es muy especial y necesita casarse. También tenemos Jomaira y Henri, quienes van a bautizar, también necesitan casarse! Eso es el gran problema de la costa, ley de castidad, que bueno que me encanta enseñar este principio.
Se cuida,
Hermana Tanner
I couldn´t be happier here in the coast, I feel like the adventure in my mission has really kicked in. I love El Carmen, it´s beautiful and super amazing and every day I wake up to Banana trees which reminds me of my favorite childhood song. Wow is it hot though, we only sleep with our sheets and mosquito netting. I´m not a huge fan of the cockroaches though and they really freak me out. Fortunately for me, my companion doesn´t have a problem killing them...
Hermana del Aguila is amazing, definitely one of my favorites I feel like I have a real friend. We are always talking about everything. I love having her!
We are having a lot of success here in El Carmen! We will be having 5 baptisms at the end of this month, it was a week of baptismal challenges. Gabriela Loor is one of them, she is so much fun. Always completes her homework and really has desires to be baptized. She just has to get married first! Jomaira and Henri are also going to be getting married and baptized this month. Hermana del Águila and I are planning the wedding. Should be awesome!
Marriage is not a very popular word in the coast and NOBODY is. It a great thing that I love to teach the Law of Chastity.
Love you all,
Hermana Tanner
There are also a good number of you who speak spanish so I´ll be posting in Spanish now too.
Saludos Todos-
No puedo ser mas feliz (como misionera) aquí en la costa! Es bella y es cheverisimo que cada día puedo ver arboles de platano. Hay calor y solo dormimos con savanas y mi mosquitero. Es la misión que yo esperaba en mi casa cuando tenia mi visión de Ecuador. No me gusta las cucarachas...son grandes y ya saben que me da muchisimo miedo, lo bueno es que mi compa no tiene este miedo!
Hermana del Águila es chevere también, estoy muy agradacida que tengo la oportunidad de ser compañera de ella. Somos bien amigas y siempre estamos charlando. Ella es una grande alivio para mi.
Es duro para mi estar tan lejos de Ambato (por un solo razón) pero estoy muy feliz y contenta con mis nuevas circunstancias.
Tenemos 5 personas con fecha bautismal y cada uno es muy especial. Tengo muchos animos para nuestra programa. Gabriela Loor es uno de ellos y una de las primeras personas que yo pudia conocer. Es muy especial y necesita casarse. También tenemos Jomaira y Henri, quienes van a bautizar, también necesitan casarse! Eso es el gran problema de la costa, ley de castidad, que bueno que me encanta enseñar este principio.
Se cuida,
Hermana Tanner
Monday, November 2, 2009
Retakes
Marina Jeréz in Picahua.
Maricela and Doménica.
It´s the Day of the Dead here the 1st of November and in Ecuador they eat Wawa´s de pan, or bread babies. It´s kinda mortifying but I had to try one. They also drink the Colada Morada which is a hot fruit drink. It´s pretty delicious and purple!
Javier FINALLY let us take pictures, and in his uniform!Because I´ve already said goodbye to Ambato once.
Week 47
Everybody-
Wow were we rained out this week, soaked! Of course that was Ambato and I´m certain that I´m going to miss the cold now that I´m in the coast! Transfer time is here again.
EL CARMEN, SANTO DOMINGO!
COMPAÑERA: HERMANA DEL AGUILA
Ambato is my favorite sector but who am I to complain, I finally get the area of my dreams. There is absolutely nothing here but humidity and my hair is already curling. I´m really looking forward to my time here, especially because I know that I have a great companion. Things are already looking good.
I´m loving Carmen though, the nauseating 6 hour bus ride down the winding Andes mountains was pretty un-fun experience. Wouldn´t trade it though, my mission is pretty unique.
I did have to leave Javier Jojoa. Fortunately, yesterday he was ordained to be an Elder in the Melquisedek (Yes, I´m aware that I spelled it in Spanish, but I don´t remember how to spell it in English...) Priesthood and this time I was present. Both he and I were crying. In just 2 months he has progressed and surpassed all of my expectations. He was the only person in the Stake to recieve the Higher Priesthood.
It´s also going to be hard to leave the Borja Family behind, Monica accepted a baptismal date for November and I can´t believe I´m going to miss it. She is an amazing person, she would sacrifice anything for her family. Her only reserve is that she wants to be baptized with her husband. Javier isn´t progressing much, or at all really. She wants it so badly though. It gives Jacob 2:35 a whole new meaning.
Veronica Santana will also be staying behind in Ambato, I know she will get baptized someday, because she wants it so badly. Sad that I won´t be here to see it either. I´m not worried either, her day will come.
Marina Jeréz also, we got to say goodbye! She wrote me a sweet letter and said that because she could know the gospel through us she is the happiest woman in the world. I wish with all my heart that she could have the support of her family!
Wish me luck in the coast (I´m so out of the Andes).
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I get to sleep with a mosquito net! How rad is my life? That might sound sarcastic, but I´m dead serious. This feels strangely like an adventure...stay tuned.
Wow were we rained out this week, soaked! Of course that was Ambato and I´m certain that I´m going to miss the cold now that I´m in the coast! Transfer time is here again.
EL CARMEN, SANTO DOMINGO!
COMPAÑERA: HERMANA DEL AGUILA
Ambato is my favorite sector but who am I to complain, I finally get the area of my dreams. There is absolutely nothing here but humidity and my hair is already curling. I´m really looking forward to my time here, especially because I know that I have a great companion. Things are already looking good.
I´m loving Carmen though, the nauseating 6 hour bus ride down the winding Andes mountains was pretty un-fun experience. Wouldn´t trade it though, my mission is pretty unique.
I did have to leave Javier Jojoa. Fortunately, yesterday he was ordained to be an Elder in the Melquisedek (Yes, I´m aware that I spelled it in Spanish, but I don´t remember how to spell it in English...) Priesthood and this time I was present. Both he and I were crying. In just 2 months he has progressed and surpassed all of my expectations. He was the only person in the Stake to recieve the Higher Priesthood.
It´s also going to be hard to leave the Borja Family behind, Monica accepted a baptismal date for November and I can´t believe I´m going to miss it. She is an amazing person, she would sacrifice anything for her family. Her only reserve is that she wants to be baptized with her husband. Javier isn´t progressing much, or at all really. She wants it so badly though. It gives Jacob 2:35 a whole new meaning.
Veronica Santana will also be staying behind in Ambato, I know she will get baptized someday, because she wants it so badly. Sad that I won´t be here to see it either. I´m not worried either, her day will come.
Marina Jeréz also, we got to say goodbye! She wrote me a sweet letter and said that because she could know the gospel through us she is the happiest woman in the world. I wish with all my heart that she could have the support of her family!
Wish me luck in the coast (I´m so out of the Andes).
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ps. I get to sleep with a mosquito net! How rad is my life? That might sound sarcastic, but I´m dead serious. This feels strangely like an adventure...stay tuned.
¡ME VOY!
I have to say I´m not to torn up...
I´M OFF TO SANTO DOMINGO! My companion is Hermana Del Aguila a really good friend of mine.
It´s going to be really hard to leave my favorite sector though! Not to mention the 6 hours I get to spend in a bus!
Chao.
I´M OFF TO SANTO DOMINGO! My companion is Hermana Del Aguila a really good friend of mine.
It´s going to be really hard to leave my favorite sector though! Not to mention the 6 hours I get to spend in a bus!
Chao.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Week 46
Everybody-
Javier Jojoa continues to be my favorite person in the world. He accompanied us again this Sunday even though he had to perform surgery at 2:00am the night before. He is also going to be recieving the Melquesidek Priesthood this coming Sunday- I think he might be getting an important calling this week too. Anyway, I´m so grateful that I have this time with my converts right now, because I usually leave my sector before I can see them progress. It isn´t every case that progresses so well like Javier.
We got the chance to talk to Javier´s sister, Natalia, this week also. She is still on track to recieve her baptism. I hope I´m here to see Javier baptize her!
Marisela is also doing much better. When we called her to set up an appointment she told us that she couldn´t because she had gone to Guayaquil because she wanted to see the temple! She went on a whim. I really have been so blessed with the people I´ve been able to know here in Ambato. It´s definitely one of my favorite places in the world.
We had a nice spiritual experience this week as well. For some reason we started walking in the wrong direction the other day, and when I realized it we decided to keep going. Not a minute later a woman stopped us, who it turns out is one of the first members of the church here in Ecuador. She told us that there was a friend of her´s in her shop who was really depressed and wanted to listen to the missionaries. So we were able to meet Maruja (Ma-rue-ha), who really does desperately need the comfort that the gospel brings. We also know Carmelina (who attends our Ward) now, who always gives us hot chocolate when we stop by!
As most of you know my little ward, Recreo, has been having some problems. It´s been pretty interesting for me, a Utah Mormon, to see how everything has gone down. The church has sent not one, but two of the Seventy to try to help work things out. This week we had the priviledge of hearing from Elder Torres, from Colombia. He was great, and fortunately the ward was able to work out all of their differences with our new Bishop. It got a little heated though, Elder Torres said to our Bishop: "Te falta todavía para ser obispo". or " You still lack as a Bishop". He´s the type of person who is compelled to be humble. He seems to be making some pretty great strides in humility this week though! My companion are feeling a lot lighter now that this burden has been resolved.
Javier Borja and his family are progressing really well! Mostly Monica, she does all of the reading and always has so many questions. We are at a bit of a stand-still with Javier, he doesn´t really want to quit drinking. Working on it!
I´ve been a little under-the-weather this week with what Javier calls Gringo-fievre, or Gringo fever. He says that all the gringo´s get it when they come to Latin America. Nausea, stomach pain, and ironically enough no fever! I seem to be completely recovered now!
Thank you for all your love and support!
Hermana Tanner
Javier Jojoa continues to be my favorite person in the world. He accompanied us again this Sunday even though he had to perform surgery at 2:00am the night before. He is also going to be recieving the Melquesidek Priesthood this coming Sunday- I think he might be getting an important calling this week too. Anyway, I´m so grateful that I have this time with my converts right now, because I usually leave my sector before I can see them progress. It isn´t every case that progresses so well like Javier.
We got the chance to talk to Javier´s sister, Natalia, this week also. She is still on track to recieve her baptism. I hope I´m here to see Javier baptize her!
Marisela is also doing much better. When we called her to set up an appointment she told us that she couldn´t because she had gone to Guayaquil because she wanted to see the temple! She went on a whim. I really have been so blessed with the people I´ve been able to know here in Ambato. It´s definitely one of my favorite places in the world.
We had a nice spiritual experience this week as well. For some reason we started walking in the wrong direction the other day, and when I realized it we decided to keep going. Not a minute later a woman stopped us, who it turns out is one of the first members of the church here in Ecuador. She told us that there was a friend of her´s in her shop who was really depressed and wanted to listen to the missionaries. So we were able to meet Maruja (Ma-rue-ha), who really does desperately need the comfort that the gospel brings. We also know Carmelina (who attends our Ward) now, who always gives us hot chocolate when we stop by!
As most of you know my little ward, Recreo, has been having some problems. It´s been pretty interesting for me, a Utah Mormon, to see how everything has gone down. The church has sent not one, but two of the Seventy to try to help work things out. This week we had the priviledge of hearing from Elder Torres, from Colombia. He was great, and fortunately the ward was able to work out all of their differences with our new Bishop. It got a little heated though, Elder Torres said to our Bishop: "Te falta todavía para ser obispo". or " You still lack as a Bishop". He´s the type of person who is compelled to be humble. He seems to be making some pretty great strides in humility this week though! My companion are feeling a lot lighter now that this burden has been resolved.
Javier Borja and his family are progressing really well! Mostly Monica, she does all of the reading and always has so many questions. We are at a bit of a stand-still with Javier, he doesn´t really want to quit drinking. Working on it!
I´ve been a little under-the-weather this week with what Javier calls Gringo-fievre, or Gringo fever. He says that all the gringo´s get it when they come to Latin America. Nausea, stomach pain, and ironically enough no fever! I seem to be completely recovered now!
Thank you for all your love and support!
Hermana Tanner
Monday, October 19, 2009
Week 45
Ecua-fact: They divide up High School here. There are students in the morning until lunchtime, then in the afternoon until dinnertime. They even have night classes. They don´t have school lunch. Darn.
Everybody-
It´s been a slow week because of Zone Conference! We didn´t seem to get much done!
Although we did drag Javier Jojoa with us to all of our appointments yesterday. I don´t think he particularly enjoyed it...but that could be because he´s not a huge fan of buses, worse still buseta´s, they are vans that cram pretty much everybody they can in because the buses don´t run Sunday´s to the smaller locations. He really was the perfect choice though, he has such a great testimony and so many personal experiences that qualify him to help others.
In other news, Marisela didn´t fare too well this week, she drank a little on Saturday. It´s so much harder to see after Baptism. She truly feels bad and is already working on repentance. She´s is so great, always giving us references so that they can have and feel what she does.
Javier Borja and his wife Monica are also doing well. Apart from drinking all night Saturday, but he has decided to quit and we haven´t even taught the Word of Wisdom yet. They are such a beautiful little family though. I feel an extra push to help them out because Javier is Octavio´s brother (in Riobamba). It´s going to be a lot of work though!
It´s been a bit hard to get a hold of everybody this week and we are still looking for new people ready for the Gospel!
Another great week gone and not much left to go!
Hermana Tanner
Everybody-
It´s been a slow week because of Zone Conference! We didn´t seem to get much done!
Although we did drag Javier Jojoa with us to all of our appointments yesterday. I don´t think he particularly enjoyed it...but that could be because he´s not a huge fan of buses, worse still buseta´s, they are vans that cram pretty much everybody they can in because the buses don´t run Sunday´s to the smaller locations. He really was the perfect choice though, he has such a great testimony and so many personal experiences that qualify him to help others.
In other news, Marisela didn´t fare too well this week, she drank a little on Saturday. It´s so much harder to see after Baptism. She truly feels bad and is already working on repentance. She´s is so great, always giving us references so that they can have and feel what she does.
Javier Borja and his wife Monica are also doing well. Apart from drinking all night Saturday, but he has decided to quit and we haven´t even taught the Word of Wisdom yet. They are such a beautiful little family though. I feel an extra push to help them out because Javier is Octavio´s brother (in Riobamba). It´s going to be a lot of work though!
It´s been a bit hard to get a hold of everybody this week and we are still looking for new people ready for the Gospel!
Another great week gone and not much left to go!
Hermana Tanner
Monday, October 12, 2009
Week 44
Ecua-fact: Today when I mopped, I totally used diesel to kill the flea´s. I think I may be losing brain cells week to week, but that´s how it´s done here.
What a week! It was great but not without problems. My ward is still the cause of a little personal distress. Not a Sunday goes by without my companion breaking down in tears. She´s a bit prone to that. Those of you who know me would think that I would be prone to that but I cry surprisingly little in the mission.
We are currently teaching Guadalupe Eraso and Natalie Jojoa, family of Javier Jojoa. We seem to have broken a barrier with Guadalupe but she is still such a challenge. Natalia is really progressing, she does all the homework we assign her and is always ready with her Book of Mormon when we come. She even asked us to explain the Law of Chastity to her tonight, that NEVER happens. Probably because her brother is always saying "No puedo ser más casto." or
"I can´t be more chaste." It´s a bit more funny in Spanish. They are always so much fun. Javier´s nieces are also visiting and Camila says she wants to go back to Colombia "Mormona". It´s pretty awesome.
We also have a really great reference from Octavio Borja in Riobamba. We just met them yesterday, but really so great, Javier Borja and his wife Monica. Javier is Octavio´s brother and they really are ready for the gospel. They live really far out but it´s already worth the trip. Javier even paid for our Taxi back to Centro (the buses don´t go out that far). We are really excited because they have so much interest and are full of questions.
Monica Freire, Silvia Freire, and Myra Navarett are also really progressing. They came to church this week and Silvia even brought her husband, Pablo, with her. I have so much admiration for them and their courage. They are all such modern pioneers! The first 3 all have baptismal dates for the 24 of October! We are working hard to get them prepared.
We have also made some great contacts this week and are looking forward to teaching them this coming week!
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Con todo mi amor,
Whitney
What a week! It was great but not without problems. My ward is still the cause of a little personal distress. Not a Sunday goes by without my companion breaking down in tears. She´s a bit prone to that. Those of you who know me would think that I would be prone to that but I cry surprisingly little in the mission.
We are currently teaching Guadalupe Eraso and Natalie Jojoa, family of Javier Jojoa. We seem to have broken a barrier with Guadalupe but she is still such a challenge. Natalia is really progressing, she does all the homework we assign her and is always ready with her Book of Mormon when we come. She even asked us to explain the Law of Chastity to her tonight, that NEVER happens. Probably because her brother is always saying "No puedo ser más casto." or
"I can´t be more chaste." It´s a bit more funny in Spanish. They are always so much fun. Javier´s nieces are also visiting and Camila says she wants to go back to Colombia "Mormona". It´s pretty awesome.
We also have a really great reference from Octavio Borja in Riobamba. We just met them yesterday, but really so great, Javier Borja and his wife Monica. Javier is Octavio´s brother and they really are ready for the gospel. They live really far out but it´s already worth the trip. Javier even paid for our Taxi back to Centro (the buses don´t go out that far). We are really excited because they have so much interest and are full of questions.
Monica Freire, Silvia Freire, and Myra Navarett are also really progressing. They came to church this week and Silvia even brought her husband, Pablo, with her. I have so much admiration for them and their courage. They are all such modern pioneers! The first 3 all have baptismal dates for the 24 of October! We are working hard to get them prepared.
We have also made some great contacts this week and are looking forward to teaching them this coming week!
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Con todo mi amor,
Whitney
Casa Ambato
I realized I didn´t have any pictures of my apartment and I´ve lived in Ambato for more time than any of my other sectors!
You can tell which side is mine because I´m the orderly one!
You can tell which side is mine because I´m the orderly one!
Grrrr.
For those of you who are long-haired Whitney fans you will be happy to know that...
I have graduated to the big flat-iron, and I HATE IT! I miss my short hair!
I have graduated to the big flat-iron, and I HATE IT! I miss my short hair!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Week 43
Everybody-
WE did get to watch General Conference even down here in Ecuador! On the downside, I had to watch it in Spanish so I feel like I might have missed some important things...I understand almost everything at this point but they use so many old and big words in General Conference! I did get to explain warm-fuzzies to all of the latin missionaries. The translator for President Monson just said he didn´t know what they were, it was kind of hilarious. Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Neil L. Andersen both gave their own talks in Spanish. Elder Andersen´s Spanish isn´t great he has a weird french accent but he´s intelligible. Elder Scott still speaks his spanish really well.
I loved Elder Holland´s talk the most. It´s nice to see somebody with so much energy for the gospel. His talk was very helpful for those of us on missions! It will give me some new material to use with our investigators.
I felt a little discouraged this week thinking that we weren´t getting much done. When we ended the week though I was quite surprised at our numbers. We were a little low in our lessons taught but almost every other category was higher. I think it really is true the the Lord blesses you when you spend a little extra time on your knees.
We are finding a lot of new and great investigators. Juanjosé Falconi is among them; he investigated the church about 5 years ago and recently his sister has been baptized in another Ward in Ambato and passed us the reference. He and his daughter seem to be really interested.
Also, Rosa and Oscar had us over for a Family Home Evening and we taught their neighbor, Angelica. I already know her though because Hna. Mérida and I knocked on her door when I was here before and we were teaching her children. Joselyn, David, and Cyntia. Joselyn really loves everything church related. She´s such a special kid! They all came to a session of the Conference yesterday too!
Anyway, I am happy and healthy (except for a cold, but that seems to be a permanent condition).
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Also Happiest of Birthdays to my Sis, M-er´s, 22 years!
AND Natalie W. I miss and love you both!
WE did get to watch General Conference even down here in Ecuador! On the downside, I had to watch it in Spanish so I feel like I might have missed some important things...I understand almost everything at this point but they use so many old and big words in General Conference! I did get to explain warm-fuzzies to all of the latin missionaries. The translator for President Monson just said he didn´t know what they were, it was kind of hilarious. Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Neil L. Andersen both gave their own talks in Spanish. Elder Andersen´s Spanish isn´t great he has a weird french accent but he´s intelligible. Elder Scott still speaks his spanish really well.
I loved Elder Holland´s talk the most. It´s nice to see somebody with so much energy for the gospel. His talk was very helpful for those of us on missions! It will give me some new material to use with our investigators.
I felt a little discouraged this week thinking that we weren´t getting much done. When we ended the week though I was quite surprised at our numbers. We were a little low in our lessons taught but almost every other category was higher. I think it really is true the the Lord blesses you when you spend a little extra time on your knees.
We are finding a lot of new and great investigators. Juanjosé Falconi is among them; he investigated the church about 5 years ago and recently his sister has been baptized in another Ward in Ambato and passed us the reference. He and his daughter seem to be really interested.
Also, Rosa and Oscar had us over for a Family Home Evening and we taught their neighbor, Angelica. I already know her though because Hna. Mérida and I knocked on her door when I was here before and we were teaching her children. Joselyn, David, and Cyntia. Joselyn really loves everything church related. She´s such a special kid! They all came to a session of the Conference yesterday too!
Anyway, I am happy and healthy (except for a cold, but that seems to be a permanent condition).
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Also Happiest of Birthdays to my Sis, M-er´s, 22 years!
AND Natalie W. I miss and love you both!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Week 42
Everybody-
Ecuafact: They don´t have sprinklers in Ecuador. The city waters the grass with a water truck than has a fire hose. It´s pretty entertaining to watch!
Well, this was one of those weeks that wasn´t the greatest but makes for some interesting Homecoming talk stories.
First of all, I thought that you would all be interested to know that one of our Mamita´s (member families who feed us lunch) has a restaurant and we have lunch with them every Tuesday. Anyway, as I was eating imagine my horror when a cockroach crawled accross my spoon. Yeah, really. Get this, I didn´t even scream, just kept eating. How desensitized am I? YIIIIKKKKEEESSS!!!
Also here in Ecuador, I really don´t have much chances to Bible bash because most people don´t know the bible. The evangelists seemed to come out of the woodwork this week! While making a street contact we presented the Book of Mormon, I started to doubt my spanish skills because he was suddenly unintelligible. Turns out it was just the "gift of tongues". Ummmhmmm. Yeah, we got out of there.
Doesn´t end there though, later we were invited to study the bible with another street contact. Turns out it was really a chance to save some poor mormon girls from being damned. The first scripture read was Galatians 1:6-8 which reads:
"6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."
They pretty much damned us. My companion took it pretty hard and cried off and on the rest of the day. I thought it was pretty cool. She wanted to continue to bash, but I got us out of there as soon as I could.
Marina will not be getting baptized, her husband retracted his permission! I´m pretty upset about it. I don´t think any one person should be able to excercise that kind of control over another, but what can I do?
We have a nice pool of new investigators though, especially Monica Freire. She came with us to the Relief Society broadcast and she really liked it. Anyway, we are hoping she will be ready for baptism soon. Keep us in your prayers!
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Ecuafact: They don´t have sprinklers in Ecuador. The city waters the grass with a water truck than has a fire hose. It´s pretty entertaining to watch!
Well, this was one of those weeks that wasn´t the greatest but makes for some interesting Homecoming talk stories.
First of all, I thought that you would all be interested to know that one of our Mamita´s (member families who feed us lunch) has a restaurant and we have lunch with them every Tuesday. Anyway, as I was eating imagine my horror when a cockroach crawled accross my spoon. Yeah, really. Get this, I didn´t even scream, just kept eating. How desensitized am I? YIIIIKKKKEEESSS!!!
Also here in Ecuador, I really don´t have much chances to Bible bash because most people don´t know the bible. The evangelists seemed to come out of the woodwork this week! While making a street contact we presented the Book of Mormon, I started to doubt my spanish skills because he was suddenly unintelligible. Turns out it was just the "gift of tongues". Ummmhmmm. Yeah, we got out of there.
Doesn´t end there though, later we were invited to study the bible with another street contact. Turns out it was really a chance to save some poor mormon girls from being damned. The first scripture read was Galatians 1:6-8 which reads:
"6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."
They pretty much damned us. My companion took it pretty hard and cried off and on the rest of the day. I thought it was pretty cool. She wanted to continue to bash, but I got us out of there as soon as I could.
Marina will not be getting baptized, her husband retracted his permission! I´m pretty upset about it. I don´t think any one person should be able to excercise that kind of control over another, but what can I do?
We have a nice pool of new investigators though, especially Monica Freire. She came with us to the Relief Society broadcast and she really liked it. Anyway, we are hoping she will be ready for baptism soon. Keep us in your prayers!
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Monday, September 21, 2009
Week 41
Can you see the teeth? EWWWWWWWWWW.
Poor little Hector, that is my ginea pig!
Why, yes that is head of ginea pig. This is what pretty much all food looks like.
A slightly better picture of my companion and I!
You know you love me, and miss me lots, and are going to send me letters and or packages!Everybody-
Ecua-fact: They don´t have public food heath laws. I´m going to come home a lot less concerned with sanitation when I come home!!!
Marina is getting baptized!!! I asked President Sloan for some advice and he told me to read Moroni 7:19. He told me to call him out and ask him why he didn´t want a better spouse and mother for his children; because he´s a bully and bullies don´t like confrontation but they will usually back off afterwards. Totally did it and it totally worked! I have his permission in writing! I was surprised and how well it worked. I read something the other day that said: "Overbearence is Boldness without love." I´m so excited because Marina has wanted to get baptized for so long now. We have her date for this Saturday, but I´m not convinced that she is ready. So we might be moving her baptismal date to conference weekend! It´s even more special though because Marina Heréz is one of my contacts! I´ve yet to have a contact get baptized!
It was a long awaited answer to prayer to be able to talk to Luis, and I´m so grateful that we had the opportunity.
Looks like I will be staying in Ambato this next change! Which is great news for me, I´m ready to stay in a sector a little longer than a month and a half! I really love it here and there are so many good people ready to hear the gospel. We are still desperately looking for new investigators and have been stood up more than usual this past week. Yesterday alone only one of our appointments was home when they said they would be; we had 7 appointments lined up!
So yeah, I ate ginea pig, or Cuy (cu-wee). Although I definitely did not enjoy the texture or taste, it wasn´t as bad as I had imagined. It´s like really fatty dark meat. The worst part is that they leave the head with teeth and everything; also the claws. I would have to say that I prefer it to chicken foot though. I don´t know, it´s a toss up.
Love from Ecuador,
Hermana Whitney Tanner
Monday, September 14, 2009
Week 40
Doménica Garcia y Marisela Solís
On the way back from Zone Conference. What a good looking group.
Elder Cedeño is our new assitant! I thought his jacket lining was pretty cool.Everybody-
Another really great week. Marisela del Rosio Solís Molina and Doménica Monserreth Garcia Solís got baptized. In other good news I think I´m finally used to them having a million names too! The water was freezing again, which was too bad, especially because we didn´t know and therefore Marisela and Doménica had quite the shock going in. We met with them yesterday and unfortunately they aren´t doing well. Marisela can´t pay her rent, somebody broke in and stole their rent money. Her family is also giving her a hard time about her baptism. They kept telling her that she and Doménica were baptized in Rio Ambato which is famous for being filthy. Anyway, they were a little dis-heartened, but I have faith that they will pull through. She even brought some friends to see her get baptized and we have some new investigators because of it. I love that our new members and investigators have more enthusiasm for the work then the members sometimes.
Javier is still doing well and looks like he will be here for a bit longer than we had planned on! I´m excited, it looks like I will also be here for my next transfer, but really you never know with me...seriously.
We also had our Zone Conference this past week. We had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to get to Riobamba on time. So we were pretty wiped out but as always we left feeling more excited to work!
We have a new Bishop in Recreo (my ward), Ulipano Fernandin Ruiz, it´s a mouthful. Unfortunately he didn´t quite recieve a warm welcome. He was only sustained by about 25 people. We have a lot of work to do with the members...reunite. It´s not the most fun situation but I´m sure I´m supposed to learn something from it.
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