Elder Galloway--This Week in Atahualpa

This Week in ..... Atahualpa! Hello, family and friends! I am super excited to write to you this week -- I have a lot to tell. Today were changes, and thankfully neither Elder Salazar nor I were changed. Sister Figueroa flies home tomorrow, and some more of our zone are training. Things are interesting, especially as we prepare for the stake conference with Elder J. Devn Cornish this weekend. On Saturday morning he will direct a meeting for new converts and investigators. We are happy for that, as are all of the new converts. Responses of the Week: That´s super wonderful about Megan Maddox´s mission call! Columbus Ohio is where Ben Metcalf, the elder´s quorum president from my BYU ward is serving. I´m sure he´ll be gone by the time she arrives, but I´m sure his legacy will live on. Also, about the t-shirts we made as a zone... uhh.. well, we did things a bit rushed, and we trusted a member family to go and order the shirts for us because we didn´t have time. Good intentions, but BAD IDEA. Really, when it comes to art and stuff, never trust anybody! The shirts.... leave much to be desired. But, oh, well, you get what you pay for. They cost $4.00 apiece for a two-color print. But, even then, they´re not worth it. Yeah. Quito Sightseeing of the Week: Like I told you last week, we tripped around historic Quito to see some churches and stuff. Expect pictures from our expedition, including: La Iglesia La Compañía, the church built by Jesuits and masked by pure "pan de oro" -- "gold bread," or gold leafing; the Presidential Palace; Quito´s main library (it was strangely unvisited) and it´s beautiful, turn-of-the-century artistry; and the famous Iglesia San Fransico, whose builder supposedly made a pact with the devil for his soul when it was finished. He hid the last cornerstone and it still remains unfinished to this day... or so they say. This Week in Atahualpa II Baptism of the Week: We had a baptism! Martha, the woman we met walking with her daughter a couple of Sunday afternoons ago, progressed, came to church, gained a testimony, and GOT BAPTIZED! She was so very very happy. The baptism came out almost perfect, too! It was well-attended by the members, the water was the perfect temperature (which was important because Martha had knee surgery recently and can´t stand cold nor hot). Her older daughter, Jenny, came too! I hope she was able to feel some of the happiness that was there. My companion and I even made chicken salad sandwiches as a refreshment. Martha couldn´t help smiling from ear to ear. A touching moment was after she, and then her daughter came out of the water, they hugged and hugged. The Spirit is a wonderful feeling; it makes you want to hug the entire world. They were subsequently confirmed on Sunday morning. There is an activity almost every night in the chapel, and the Relief Society sisters have invited Martha to almost every one of them, culminating in the new-member meeting Saturday morning --- whoooo! New Investigators of the Week: Well, we have also seen quite a few miracles in response to our diligence and effort this week. We had met a woman, Ivette, last week, and she wasn´t there for the appointment we had set (don´t worry -- it´s common). We went another day, and wasn´t there. But we were walking down that road Saturday morning, and saw that the door was open. We decided to stop by and converse a bit. We ended up teaching a lesson with her and inviting her to church. SHE CAME! It was a whim that turned out very well. Also, Sunday, a woman in the ward came up to us and presented her husband. They are expecting a baby in 4 months. Luis had received the missionary lessons a while back, but never really took interest. Recently, they have conversed, and he came to church, too! We set an appointment for that afternoon, where we learned that they are both computer programmers, great people; that he has read almost half of the Book of Mormon already, too! We used that as a jumping-off point to teach the Gospel with the Book of Mormon. It was a powerful lesson, and he accepted a baptismal date for the 16 of March. This Week in Atahualpa III Lessons of the Week: I asked you last week some of the lessons you think I have learned on my mission, and I think they are all true. Thank you for helping me analyze a bit, Dad. I was thinking this week about some other lessons I´ve learned, and one that applies to right now especially. I have learned by my observations here that the Lord rewards His faithful servants. As Doctrine & Covenants 106:3 says, "the laborer is worthy of his hire." In other words, you get what you pay for. If you don´t pay much, you won´t get much out. It´s the law of the harvest. I´ve seen missionaries waste their time here, make a mistake, and get sent home without honor or glory. But I have also seen the fruits of other missionaries´ diligent and obedient labors in the Lord´s vineyard. But it goes deeper than that. The Lord actually prizes His missionaries with blessings beyond description. He is the perfect Giver of Gifts, and I´ve seen that. Let me give some examples: · When Elder Johnson ended his mission in Ambato, not only did he go home with wonderful converts there that loved and respected him, he was able to witness the "changing of the guard" of a stake: he met a couple of seventy, including Elder Pino, the Area President, and work with the stake in a lovely manner. · Elder Schomburg was known for his strict obedience. Accordingly, the Lord rewarded him. One of his most converted converts, Diego Tigre (from this ward) works in the airport, as a maitenance guy. Astonishingly enough, things worked out so that Diego was the last Ecuadorian Elder Schomburd saw before he boarded his aircraft home. I´m sure they shared a tender goodbye moment. · Thirdly, Sister Figueroa, from Honduras, was blessed not only to spend her last change with the three sister missionaries that she trained (her "daughters"), but she will be priveleged to attend, with her family, the open house and dedication of the first temple in Honduras in March when she gets home. Again, I repeat, the Lord rewards His faithful servants. This Week in Ecuador IV To end, I wanted to explain the epiphany in the Isaias chapters of 2 Nephi that I hinted at last week. Isaiah uses a lot of metaphors, especially the kingdoms around Judah, to describe his prophesies. In these scriptures, he talks about the King of Assyria who leads his nation against Israel. 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation. 6 I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few. It´s a little obtuse, but the Lord is clear that, even though we don´t understand everything (in this case, the King of Assyria had no idea he was acting on a prompting of the Lord), He will always guide us to fulfill His purposes. I have seen that time and time again on my mission. Like President Monson says, our lives include something just so natural and normal it´s hard to make mention of it. When we are attentive, it´s only afterward that we can see the big picture unfurled and recognize that "Even despite our imperfections, we have been instruments in the Lord´s hands to accomplish His designs" (it´s a favorite saying of my companion). I am grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful to be called worthy enough to wear this nametag and represent my Savior Jesus Christ in carrying His Gospel to people who really need it. Martha is now part of the fold. She belongs to the Lord, and has promised to serve Him. Only thus can we prepare to wear out our lives in His service and merit being called His sons and daughters. Eventually, we, normal, every-day, run-of-the-mill people, will be formed and shaped so that we, too, can dwell in the presence of Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Abinadi, Mormón, Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ, and, yes, our Heavenly Father. How great is the mercy of our God! May we all be tools in His hands this week! Love, Elder Andrew Galloway P.S.: I would be crazy not to mention the text we received from the assistants Friday night, that the Mission Ecuador Quito will be divided into TWO MISSIONS! It will happen the week I go home. It´s marvelous to see that our labors have brought great fruit. The work goes forward! I love you!

Lesson on February 24, 2013

Our Relief Society lesson today was given by Jessica Lewis: Teaching for our Time, Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead." Unlike the churches that preach that once a person is dead they are either saved or damned with no chance to repent. Our church teaches that we may be baptized for our dead and give them the opportunity to  repent and that the sweet relationships we have in this life will continue. Sister Lee told about how her nonmember grandparents were sealed after their death and so her father's family was complete. Elder Scott said we need to do the work for our family even if we are doing temple work for others. One sister said it is a way to not lose even one person. sister Gibson said that Joseph Smith said it is a way for our ancestors to be connected to us and be an influence in our lives. Sister Bahr was able to do the work for her mother and grandmother and felt  their joy when she was in the temple. She was also able to have her grandparents sealed and her uncles work as well. Sister Byrne told of doing her grandmothers' work and her grandparents sealed and felt the joy they felt. Another sister told of her family in Mexico getting sealed and how her father as a young man went to the temple and was surprised to have his Father's name that he was baptized for. He knew it was not a coincidence. Sister Roundy was able to take her pioneer heritage and verify all their names and dates and read their stories. she was grateful that she got to know them and know her heritage. Sister Lewis was in a similar situation with all the work done, but her daughter was able to find a few names to take to the temple. We have great resources for us in the Church. Sister Jolley said we do have indexing we can do and it is easy to do. Sister Lee showed the websites that are available for us to family history. Sister Young said that the majority of people who use the Internet for genealogy are not members. Elder Bednar spoke to the youth to encourage them to do their own family history and it will bring the Spirit into your life to protect you from the problems in the world. sister Bahr told of taking her teenagers to the temple to do baptisms and how it took them to a new level in their spiritual lives. It is a work that means something. sister Cantrell said our ancestors are waiting.

Ward Choir is Getting Ready for Easter

Join with us to sing praises on Easter. Choir practice is every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel, except days when we sing in sacrament meeting. If you have questions, contact Jayne Galloway at 801-221-1510 or email her at jcgalloway88gmail.com.

March Ward Temple Nights

Come and join with ward members as we attend the temple on Tuesday, March 12 meet at the chapel at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, March 16 meet at the chapel at 6:30 p.m.; or Saturday, March 20 meet at the chapel at 6:30 a.m.

Elder Galloway in Atahualpa

11 Feb 2013 This Week in ..... Atahualpa! Hola, friends and family! I learned that you have to leave the house with some sort of rain-proof covering every day here in the south of Quito, even when it looks sunny. But don´t worry, I´m keeping warm and dry (when I can). Our ward conference went well, and we got quite a few compliments on the choir, too! We cleaned the house today (I cleaned the shower :)), and left late and have done some errands, and are now comfortably seated in the immense mall, Quicentro Sur, near our sector. I´d like to cover a lot of points quickly, because the internet is expensive here. Investigators of the Week!: We ended the last week nicely, and the elders in Argelia (Elder Celis and Elder Riveros) had a baptism of a nice family. This man was super prepared. He was a singer, "Alex el Rumbero," but was very prepared and ready for his baptism. He invited his family, his friends, and even organized to have his own food afterwards. It was a "perfect" baptism, if there ever was such a thing. We are happy, even if we don´t have anyone with a solid baptismal date. We found Martha Q. contacting outisde last Sunday afternoon. She was walking with her little daughter. She´s a middle-aged single lady, who recently had a knee replacement and walks with a cane. But she´s such a nice person, and is so happy to be in the Church. She told us she felt lonely, but that the things we have taught her have really helped. Friday night, after we had a zone conference with President, we took her on a tour of the church. The Spirit was strong, and she was able to find peace and comfort in this "refuge." The Church really is a refuge, isn´t it. And good news! Carmen (the little daughter) found one of her school best friends in Primary! So she´s really content. Also we are working with the M. family. Fortunately, they are going to get married! But unfortunately, that will take quite a while. It´s that Graciela has another daughter from a previous commitment (the father passed away), and President Correa has put in a lot of new laws and processes to get married. They have to register a "caretaker" for her first daughter in case that things don´t work out with Byron, who can take legal responsibility for the child. Which is a good thing, but it makes things hard for missionaries. We have a lawyer friend who helps missionaries out (the entire mission knows about her) who helps people get married quickly! She´s friends of the missionaries. Actually, she was receiving the discussions from the missionaries of Chillogallo. But she´ll help us out. We fasted with the family so that they would get a fast judge, because some judges are irresponsible, and our lawyer friend can get some "ins" with some of her judge friends. So we hope things go well. Election News of the Week: I don´t have much to comment here, but you might want to look up a publicity video, "Sueño Ecuatoriano," on YouTube. It´s been on the airwaves; you might be able to find a captioned translation. It´s an interesting spot by the current government (Correa), about the "Citizens´ Revolution," their campaign. Correa left a lot of big projects to be completed after the elections. Smart move. Sad News of the Week: Well, we had our multi-zone conference with President and Sister Ghent on Friday. They had some comments about some recent occurrences in the mission. Well, some missionaries just can´t abide by the rules. After repeated problems and a large incident, they had to send 9 missionaries home early without honor. They went home this last change. How sad it is! Some of those missionaries had been my friends, who just let themselves go. I don´t know why or what exactly, but that´s a large figure. I know that President is cleaning out the "rotten apples," as it could be said, to make way for all the new missionaries who will be coming in in the next few months. "Cleaning out the rafters." But Sister Ghent had a powerful observation. In addition to the 9, 4 missionaries ended their missions honorably, and they always dine in President´s house the night before they leave and have a nice meeting. President saw them off Tuesday morning at the airport. It was a joyous occasion. He also accompanied the 9 who left a little later that day. He said that those departures couldn´t be any more different. Sister Ghent remarked that those flights would be very different -- the emotions, the memories, the outlooks. The receptions in their respective countries would be completely different as well. There would be tears in both, even though for different reasons. I can´t imagine the pain it would be to come home early. There is no price too high to pay for a clean conscience. And I know that if we do all that the Lord requires of us in the mission, He will reward us our pay. Sister Ghent made a comment similar to that of President Brady, "Honor the Lord and He will honor you." It´s very true. "The laborer is worthy of his hire" (D&C 106:3, one of my favorite scriptures about missionary work). Natural Occurrence of the Week: Saturday morning we were studying when all of a sudden... Rrrrmmbggrrrblbggrrr.... the building started shaking! It was a temblor. It turns out that in Pasto, on the border between Columbia and Ecuador, there was a 7.0 earthquake on Saturday morning. It didn´t cause any damage here in Quito, but it lasted for quite a long time. Quite a long time. But everything´s good. That´s all my news. I hope you all have a good week. We´re going to be working hard this week. We´re going to work normally during Carnaval (tomorrow) and the elections (Sunday -- church will be held normally). But we´re not going to be contacting knocking doors (for safety´s sake). This change is only 4 weeks long, and it´s going by so fast, but we´re all getting along really well. That´s the good thing about Atahualpa -- all the sectors are close by. I´m drawing caricatures of all the missionaries and we´re going to make a t-shirt! (see attatched photo). The drawing´s not done yet. Take care! I love you all, Elder Galloway Zone Leaders´ Names: Here are the names of the people in the Zone Leaders´ photo that I sent earlier: Front Row: Elder Sotomayor (Guayaquil), Elder Balthazar (Utah), Elder Call, Elder daSilva (Brasil), me, Elder Gomez (New Mexico) Back Row: Elder Jackson (Colorado), Elder Bloxham, Elder Tuckett (Pleasant Grove), Elder Blackwelder (California), Elder Peterson (Salt Lake), Elder Papworth (California)

Stake Conference

Our stake conference was conducted by President Brady, who was the first speaker. He spoke about how Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost lead us and protect us during difficult times. President Bateman spoke about standing in holy places and that we must work to make our homes holy places. president Brady told of a two degree mistake in a flight plan that resulted in a plane headed to the Antarctic hitting an active volcano and oiling all 250 passengers and crew (Uchtdorf). President Bateman told the story of going to the  Oakland Temple. He texted his father that he and his family were there. His father texted back that years before there had been a storm that knocked out the power to Oakland. The temple had a generator and kept the lights on, but felt that they should turn them off to stay in step with their neighbors. They did. Soon they got a phone call asking them to turn on the light because planes and boats were using it as a beacon. He said the temple should be our beacon.brother Davis told of the blessings of returning to the church. Sister McIntire told of the blessings of the priesthood to strengthen us. Our visiting authority Vaughn Keetch told of singing in a circumstance where he learned it is better to put your talents on the alter of your choosing than to have Heavenly Father choose for you. He also told about the importance of missionary work especially serving others.

Monthly Activity February 19--Chocolate Madness

Find out something about the sisters you visit and teach to share. Come experience chocolate madness and have you fill of chocolate at 7:00 p.m. At the church.

Relief Society February 3 lesson

Amy Young taught the lesson. She had all the sisters introduce themselves. Amy discussed how Christ served us by going to the one. She mentioned abtalk from from conference about President Monson's serving the one. Also examples from the New Testament and Book of Mormon of Christ serving people one by one in healing them. Ether 3:18 and the storybof the brother of Jared. Christ ministered to him like he did with the Nephites. That is the way that Christ wants us to sereve. sister Burton said to fist observe and then serve. Sister Jolley said she is not an observant person. Sistr Roundy said we need to change our agenda to help whomever needs it. Focus morning prayers on asking to find one person to serve. By us doing our little part we can make a difference to anyone we come into contact with. we need to serve more like Jesus Christ.

Women's basketball

We will be playing at the red brick building behind the MVHS Seminary building Center Street. come have fun while getting a good workout begging January 5 from 9-11. If you have any questions, please contact Sister Heather Stewart at 801-765-0902 or email her at Stewart1987@Comcast.net

Women's resources and jobs expo

February 5 from 5:30 -8:00 pm at the UVU Sorenson Center Grande Ballroom. If you have questions, call 801-374-2588 or email WRJExpo@Gmail.com.

Stake women's conference

Our stake women's conference will take place Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the stake center from 10:00-11:30 am. Please wear Sunday dress because some ofcthe event will be in the chapel. No nursery.

Stake conference Feb 9 and 10

The Saturday evening session will be at 6:00 pm for adults. The priesthood session will be at 7:00 am on Sunday. The main session will be at 10:00 am.