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

¡Cena Navideña y casí el tiempo de Navidad!

Well, hello there!

This past week was pretty cool. We had a "Cena Navideña (Christmas Dinner)" this past Friday in Quito. We had the chance to receive vaccines for a sickness going around, listen to Elder Walter F. González (of the seventy), and put on skits for all there. We also recieved a gift of little Nativity figures from the Mission President. 

I also had the chance to listen to every talk by Elder Jeffrey R Holland this week. There's 52 (plus one my older brother sent me so 53) and it adds up to less than 30 hours. I expected to here a lot about the Atonement, but it was more about families and Mothers and Fathers and the fact that we can return to a state of love from any place. I wrote down the ones that stood out to me, and would like to share them (though all of them are awesome):

• Sanctify Yourself
• The Other Prodical (that ones really cool)
• "Within the Clasp of Your Arms" and "The Hands of Fathers"
• Look to God and Live
• Miracles of the Restoration
• Our Priesthood Legacy
• "Because She's a Mother" and "Behold Thy Mother" (both great and about mothers)
• "Personal Purity" and "Place No More for the Enemy in My Soul"
• The Tongue of Angels (another cool one)
• None were with Him (very powerful)
• Safety for the Soul
• Because of Your Faith
• We Are All Enlisted
• Laborers in the Vineyard (another very powerful and cool one)
• The First Great Commandment (Great as well)
• "Lord, I Believe"
• Like A Broken Vessel (about depression)
• Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You
• Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually (makes me feel better)

(I plan to do the same with more of our leaders)

  

I feel good. I actually want  to pray my Heavenly Father. I love long prayers, and have tried to make each one different (as to not be boring ;p). Our investigators are progressing, even if it is slowly. Christmas seems to have slown progress a little, but it's still fun. My Spanish is good enough to converse, but there are those days when I'm less patient and feel like I can't speak it, hahaha.

  

I hope y'all's week is great!

  

¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año!
Élder Sharp

  

I forgot the stanza for the month of December last week, so:
"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."

 

 

Six months!

Hello all,

It's been pretty cold this past week. It hasn't rained a whole lot, which is surprising. It was hard, in terms of the work. A lot of people couldn't meet with us, and we didn't find anybody new. The people that had a baptismal date for the 8th haven't been able to get married, so we needed to move the date again.... but aside from that it's been fun. We did Service in Huambalò Saturday, which was harvesting potatoes. they gave us a ton and so we're gonna be eating a lot of potatoes hahaha.

I got my Suit today!!! It's awesome and I'm super grateful to have it.

 

All-in-all, a pretty normal week. I'm really doing well, though apparently I'm thinning out a lot, hahaha. The holiday season is getting to me a little, but prayers help. Hitting my six month day this week made me realize the time is short, which helps battle home-sickness. We are gonna have a Christmas-dinner in Quito this week, so that should be fun.

 

Have an amazing week, and merry Christmas, y'all.

Èlder Sharp

 

 

(inside the jacket - the Ecuador flag!)

 

 

 

Three Weeks Until Christmas! (Más o Menos)

Another week!

This week was more of the same. We did have a Spanish Class on Saturday where I realized just how many contractions there are in English, hahaha. Teaching English is harder than Spanish, in my opinion. Especially here where they don't feel a need to learn it, really. But I was surprised I could speak well enough to even teach it, so there's a bonus.

Today I was able to pay for my new Suit!!  We also went to "Mr. Joy" again and played Laser Tag.

I pray a lot to help me accept teachings and go through trials with grace while I'm here. I've noticed a lot of "hidden pride" that I need to overcome, and I'm grateful for it. Our Heavenly Father really does want the best for us, but sometimes getting to that "best" isn't very fun. But, I like to think that's what separates me from "boy" to "man", so I won't complain.

Have an awesome week, y'all!

Élder Sharp