uh oh... guess what day it is?!

  

Hello!

So this week I hit my year mark! I canNOT believe it. I feel it's been a year, but at the same time, I'm weirded out that I'm closer to my end day. I've learned a lot and had a lot of experiences to show me who I should be. I've met so many people, good and bad, and have testified so many times. I miss a lot of people, but I feel like I'll be home soon enough, hahaha. 

I want my family to know I love them. I want my friends to know I'm glad to have them. I want all to know how much God loves them: too much to understand. Don't doubt God's love or Christ's atonement. I've seen the good it can do, and I've tried my darndest to leave my sins behind (though that's easier said than done). I've become nicer to myself and realized who I am in the sight of God. All this in a year, and I still have 49 weeks to experience more!!!!!!!

Here's the monthly poem until now:

"Hurrah for Israel! My work has begun!

I'm ready for trials, bring on the fun!

I give these next two years to my Lord!

I wield the Holy Armour, shield, and sword!

Hurrah for Israel! What more can I say?

May the Refiner's fire light my way!

Awake my soul! Rejoice my heart!

My Lord, please make me as thou art!

Hurrah for Israel! The field is white!

The world is dark, but our light is bright!

Temptations run rampant, the natural man is strong.

But my God is with me, He leads me along!

Hurrah for Israel! Have faith in Christ!

For when we fall He helps us Rise!

His Atonement is there, and His love is unchanging,

He can calm any storm that's raging!

Hurrah for Israel and the Blacksmith above!

I´m folded and battered by His perfecting Love!

Through His great care and patience, a sword I will become,

A weapon against the darkness, Until our savior doth come!

Hurrah for Israel! I can't understand,

the love the Lord gives with nail-scarred hands.

He does the impossible and shows us the way.

HE'S the one still standing at the end of the day.

Hurrah for Israel! Six months have now passed!

In the service of Him who is both first and last!

I've grown so much; and though I'm a debtor,

I pray and strive every day to be better.

Hurrah for Israel! I am but a man!

If you cut me I'll bleed, but I'll do all I can,

to be the kind of person I know that I can be

Look to Christ in everything and follow His loving lead!

Hurrah for Israel! not a judge but a witness!

I self-test my character with Spiritual Litmus!

I must always be honest, humble, and kind

and keep the Atoning Redeemer in Mind!"

Hurrah for Israel! Hold to the Rod,

and never forget you're a Child of God.

Do not let the Adversary lead you astray

Trust in the Savior, cuz He knows the way.

Hurrah for Israel! No words can explain,

The gratitude I feel when I think of His pain.

I'm humbled by the grace Christ readily gives,

and rejoice in the fact that today He still lives.

Hurrah for Israel! With testimony of Fire!

To be His disciple is my deepest desire!

I'll bear what comes without complaint or groan,

for I'm son to a King, heir to His throne!

Hurrah for Israel! A Year completed!

Temptations are strong, but I’m FAR from defeated!

My soul’s not descented, though Satan’s surely tried,

But I’m not afraid, for the Lord’s not my side!

So onward good soldier, Shoulder to the wheel!

Faith as a boulder, show the love that you feel!

Have faith in Christ, Sanctify yourself!

You’re not alone, Christ’s there to help!"

Have a great week!

Élder Sharp

Elder Bednar

Good day to all!
So this past week was a good one. We had a visit from one of the Apostles of the Church, Elder Bednar, and we received direction from him. That was awesome. Today we went to "the Penesillo", which is a giant statue of a virgin, and my companion went and bought a lot of Recuerdos for the end of his mission.


This past week was a good one and this next week I hit a year. I'm excited to see what happens.

 Thought I would share this with you:  When I was living with Jess and Travis, I one day felt a lot of stress. I can't remember exactly when, but I was watching Ryan and was thinking a lot on what was going on. I didn't have NEARLY enough for my mission and was just.... thinking on everything. I felt a weight, until I looked over at Ryan and saw him lying there, just looking at his hands, opening and closing his fingers and smiling his sweet smile. I immediately thought of how we are told we should be as children and trust in God. Ryan was stress free, staring at his hands as if they were the coolest thing ever; I felt as though I should be that way. I should think on what I have, what I've accomplished, and trust that God helps, especially when I don't feel qualified to be His Son's representative.  I've thought a lot on the Hymns we have in the Church, especially the hymn "Where Can I Turn For Peace" and I love the listen to them. It doesn't matter who I was before, what I lack, or what others think and do; I will be a loyal son the my Heavenly Father and I  will be who He is depending on me to be.

 

I hope y'all have a great week!

 

Élder Sharp 

 

 

 

¡La Gasca!

 

 

 

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¡La Gasca! Inbox x Dustin Sharp Mon, Apr 1, 7:00 PM (3 days ago) Good day to all! We had transfers this past week and I went to La gasca, where we walk uphill everywhere! And It continues to rain. My companion is from Quayaci Good day to all! We had transfers this past week and I went to La gasca, where we walk uphill everywhere! And It continues to rain. My companion is from Quayacil and is really cool.  This area is big, and it includes Teleferico, if any of you have heard of it.  Our apartment is really small and it got flooded the other day!  We travel by bus or walk everywhere.    We had a baptism, but it wasn't mine. It's funny because we are just starting the dry season of Ecuador and It is still raining, hahaha.  Oh!  I was so excited to find chips and refried beans!!   I'm looking forward to this transfer. I hope to learn more and become more like Jesus with every step forward.  I am really looking forward to General Conference.  I know that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet of God.  I only have 14 months left...  Time is going way too fast.   Have a good week! Élder Sharp

Baptism and ...... wait what?

Hey guys!

So we had a baptism this past Saturday and I did the Confirmation Yesterday! (In Spanish!!!) That was very cool, and her Mom's getting ready to follow her lead. Aside from that not much else happened. We worked a lot, and I feel like this transfer'll be a fun one.

 

So when they said there'd be changes this year in the Church, they were not kidding! The First Presidency has decided to make it optional to call Family on P-days... That was unexpected, and I thought it was a joke at first. But it's legit, and we'll also be able to call on parents' birthdays and other holidays. This is a HUGE change, and it'll be so funny to be able to say later "Back in my day......" hahaha

Here's more pics and I hope y'all have a good 'un (I miss saying that).

Hasta la próxima

Élder Sharp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers!

So this week we got the go-ahead for the baptism this Saturday! We also helped a part-member family move. I've met Many cool people on my mission, and am always greatful for the opportunity to help out.

We also have started the next transfer and I will be staying in Guamaní with a Peruvian named Elder Florian. My whole district changed, and I'm a little nervous as I need to know where everything is. But, as I've learned many times, The Lord qualifies those He calls.

I'm sorry for the lack of pictures this transfer, I'll try to be better at that. I've found many things I need to be better at, and at times I don't feel I have the ability to change, but the Scriptures tell so many times about the power our Heavenly Father has, So I beleive I can trust Him.

Have a great week!

Élder Sharp

Zone Conference No 5 and Fútbol

Hey!

So we had our Zone conference this week (a week earlier than usual) and we ate Pizza Hut (which tasted pretty close to the real thing). Aside from that, the week wasn't very different. We did go to an investigator's house and ate homemade bread with Colada Morada, which tasted SOOO good.

Today we played Fútbol, my first time in Ecuador. I'm in better shape than I thought, but I still stink at the game. But it was a lot of fun. I haven't taken a lot of photos this transfer so far, and I apologized for that. I need to get used to taking pictures, still.

All is well here, so far. I've yet to be robbed (knock on wood), and the people still look at me like I'm an alien from another planet, hahaha. Our ward here is a LOT bigger than Pelileo, but sometime the members can't feed us. I'm progressing with everything, but I'm not where I want to be yet. Time feels too short, and I feel  there may not be enough of it. So, I'll enjoy it while I have it and try to show that.

Have a great week and  know that our Heavenly Father helps and guides us, especially when we need it.

¡Les quiero!

Élder Sharp

 

 

 

 

Another Week, Another Email

Hello!

This week was normal aside from the fact that we did divisions on Wednesday then had service on Friday. We've done service where I hauled buckets of sand up about 4 floors by rope and pulley. I got some wicked blisters because I did it for about 5 hours.  Everyone was surprised at how long I did it and asked "are all poeple from the States like that?" It made me grateful for ROTC. I definately felt a strong spirit more than a few times as I testified of our Savior and of Satan. It's a little funny to say, but I really do have a testimony of the power of Satan. He is real, and he is VERY angry right now. But, if we do what's right, we've no need to fear.

¡Tengan una buena semana!

Élder Sharp

Good Things are Happening in Ecuador

My week was pretty normal aside from my birthday.  A family here threw a small party for me which was cool. I made Forros for myself out of leather. Elder Callisaya did the shading, but I did the rest. It is so weird to think I'm 20 now... I can't say I'm a teen anymore, hahaha.

I finished the talks by President Nelson this week and have a new respect for the man. I was thinking a lot this week on how I can be better as I tend to get stuck in a rut if I'm not careful, and I really think the best way to do that is prayer, as that is the direct communication to God we have.  He wants us to be good.

I realized how cool it is that I have this opportunity to do this, as we are allowed into strangers' homes to share the message we have. If it were a different message I doubt they'd be so kind, hahaha. That's the Power, that Spirit, that were are  given as missionaries, and I'm so grateful for that.

Here's the stanza for January's "Hurrah for Israel!": 

"Hurrah for Israel! I am but a man!

If you cut me I'll bleed, but I'll do all I can,

to be the kind of person I know that I can be

Look to Christ in everything and follow His loving lead!"

I've realized how great this time is. I'm devoting ALL my time to my Heavenly Father, and I won't ever have another opportunity like this. THAT'S awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¡Feliz Navidad, Prospero Año, y Felicidad!

Sorry I missed last week guys! With the Video Call to my family, I forgot to send a Weekly.

2019!!!! I can't believe how fast time flies, it feels just like yesterday it was 2018.... sorry....

Bad jokes aside, it is a little hard to believe it's 2019 already. A lot happened last year and I've changed A LOT (for instance: I speak Spanish now) and I feel this year'll be FULL of experiences. Yesterday we found out we are both leaving Pelileo! I'm going to Quito, I'll be in Guamani with Elder Callisaya (from Peru, I think). We couldn't leave our house yesterday because of "Biudas" (men that dress up as women and annoy people for money, apparently they can get real bad) and also there were a heck ton of drunks (a lot are STILL drinking today, hahaha). The fireworks they shot off last night were so loud; I didn't go to sleep until after 12, haha.

 So, today was our P-day. we went around saying goodbye to everyone in our sector and taking pictures. It was very bittersweet, as I knew I was leaving, but it was still hard to leave them. I've been here a little over four months and it's hard to leave after all that time.

My Mission President shared with me three questions he asks himself every New Year to be better: "What am I not doing now that I should be doing tomorrow?" "What am I doing now that I shouldn't be doing?" and "What should I keep doing in the year to come?"  I've never been one for Resolutions, but these questions are pretty good.

I love how Elder Holland talks about how some conduct "isn't Christian" and how straightforward both he and President Nelson are in all of their discourses. I've met a few people who don't like them for that, but I always think "read the Book of Mormon and see how many times prophets of God 'spoke plainly'." I love the Prophet and wholeheartedly sustain him and his Apostles.

We had a Baptism this past Saturday!!! I performed the ordinance, and I cannot describe the feelings I felt... pure love and happiness is the closest I can get. He was so ready, and it was so awesome to be a part of. (I can't send the pics this week, so I'll send them next)

My Aunt Sarah sent me these BYU Speeches by Jeffrey R Holland that are awesome:

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence/ 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_remember-lots-wife/ ---Good for New Years

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_lessons-liberty-jail/ ----That one is awesome

It's interesting that the new transfer in right at the New Year, I really feel big things are gonna come to pass this next year and can't wait to see where I'm at in 6 months.

I love you guys.  I hope y'all and a wonderful New Years, and I wish you all a prosperous 2019!

¡Feliz Año!

Élder Sharp