Elder Galloway--This Week in Atahualpa

18 Mar 2013 This Week in Atahualpa Good afternoon, friends! Things are peachy (if not a bit drizzly) here in Quito. That´s the way it is: two weeks of sun, two weeks of rain, two weeks of sun... But that keeps things interesting. Here is this week´s report: Responses of the Week: I enjoyed your emails. There is a lot to talk about! I´m glad that the choir´s last musical number under the direction of the famosísima Jayne Galloway went well (of course I wore green on Sunday). Don´t worry about sending me anything. I am very much under control. Once again I emphasize my insight: people live in Ecuador (and other parts of the world) just fine without carrying a Wal-Mart in their suitcase. New missionaries should know that the less they pack, the better (but I am glad for the love I have received by way of Correos de Ecuador :). Thank you! Mom, it´s nice that you have a nice calling. Little kids are so cute! Martha spoke in church this week! We helped her find scriptures and a flow for her talk, and she delivered it beautifully. I know it´s the first of many assignments in the ward. She talked about "Teaching Children Obedience," and used many good scriptures, including the famosísimo Helaman 5:12. The ward had good comments about it. And, just so you know (but don´t remind me), my last change ends the first Monday in July, July 1st. So I´ll be home not only for the 4th, but for MOM´S BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday! I saw the proposed school schedule for fall (thank you so much for dealing with that). Just so you know, I already took "Intro to Advertising" my last semester, so, even though it was a great class, I don´t think I need to take it again. That means I can take the second organ class! (Whatever you see fit, I´ll be happy to accept). And last but not least, thank you so much for working out an apartment situation with the other parents. I know it can be a lot of hassle. It helps soooooo much not to have to be worrying about "the afterlife" and be able to focus here on the work. You have my go-ahead on anything you decide. Oh well about the scholarships. I wouldn´t say no to working a part-time job, either. But these things come after. To keep this letter from becoming tooooo unfocused... Investigator Updates of the Week: Well, Luis was pleasantly baptized on Saturday, with incredible support from the ward. The stake center isn´t very big to begin with, but the baptismal font was so full with family, members, missionaries, and investigators that some of the missionaries had to wait outside during the service. We sang a special number as a zone, "O, Mi Padre" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount." It went well. Elder Salazar and I made my (now famous) oatmeal-rasin cookies. We´re scheduled to make them in an FHE on Tuesday. People think it´s a lot harder than it is to cook. Like the saying goes... "anyone can cook!" We visited Luis and his wife Juanita on Sunday afternoon (it rained). They are so happy. It´s so pleasant to be able to teach someone who is so coherent and smart (he is a computer programmer, after all). He understands everything perfectly. We talked about the temple, his next big goal. We talked about receiving the priesthoods, and progressing during a year so they can enter and be sealed this next year! Wow! Even though the ward is going in April to the temple, Juanita´s brother will be sealed in May, so they will save up money to go then (to do baptisms). They are so excited. We presented them with a picture of the Guayaquil temple, a "Family: a Proclamation to the World," and my copy of "Together Forever," which they will watch together in their FHE tonight. You couldn´t ask for a better investigator. He knew/attended church on and off for 6 years! I´m not sure, but I think it was the shock that he was going to be a father that finally pushed him over the edge to really find out for sure. Their first son is due in June. We have some other investigators: María A, I think, felt a little pressured, so we´re taking things slow with her. There is another couple (but they have to get divorced/married to get baptized) Rosa and Luis, so we´ll give them the foundations then let them continue on from there until they can get baptized. We met Augustín, the 10-year-old son of Jenny T, whose mother god baptized in another part of Quito 6 years ago. Jenny is recently interesting herself in the Gospel -- we had a marvelous, tender discussion with them last night about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, but most of all about how she could know for herself that it´s true. She committed herself to read the pamphlets and pray. She is very sincere. I hope the best for her and Augustín. MIssion Activity of the Week: A while back, Elder John Groberg (who is the Guayaquil temple president, did you know that?) visited Quito and gave a fireside to the youth. He stayed with the Ghents, who were inspired by his story about his mission in Tonga. They watched "The Other Side of Heaven" and had the desire that every missionary of the mission would see it. It had been in the works since January, but this last Monday, they got some of the zones of Quito together in Iñaquito to see it! We met at 5:00, sang a hymn ("Be Thou Humble"), prayed, President said a few words, then we watched the movie. It was impactful! It was amazing to see Elder Groberg´s dedication in the face of insurmountable obstacles and his marvelous success during his mission. We have the charge as a mission to be like "Elder Kolipoki." It gave me a better perspective of what the mission is and the marvelous opportunities we have to share the Gospel. Wow. What a joy it is to have the Gospel in my life. I´ve had it all my life long, surrounded by Mormons in the middle of Happy Valley. But my mission has caused me to reflect and appreciate all that I´ve had all along. It´s such a blessing to have parents, friends, leaders, and teachers all dedicated to the service of God, who "produce many good works for the Lord, Jesus Christ." This is what I want for my family in the future, and, more immediately, for all of the families here in Ecuador. I want to see the fruits of my work here in my mission. I want to see lives change and visions widen and blessings rain down upon the people I love. This morning Elder Salazar and I cleaned the house. We rearranged the bedroom and hung up the flag of Ecuador that someone gave to him above my bed. It will be inspiring to know that each night I´ll be seeing the representation of the country and people that I love, because I desire the best for them. I hope that God blesses these people with the perspective of the Gospel. Things that last more than today. I know that I will meet many of these people after all of this life, before the "pleasing bar of God." I can´t wait until that day. Wishing you the best! Love, from Ecuador, Elder Galloway