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
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