Week 11

I had exchanges this week so Elder Herrera the AP came with Elder Faraoni and I. It was super fun even tho I was super nervous. It was Elder Ratliffs birthday so we stopped at their apartment when picking up Herrera. They held him down and whipped him in the butt 19 times. Kinda messed haha. We had Encebollado which was super good. You can just look it up. The bus rides were super nice this week because I was not feeling it this week. Had a lesson with Rosa about the plan of salvation. It was good.   I've really been looking forward to taking the sacrament lately every Sunday, I always forget how cool of an opportunity it is. The Limones family feeds us every Sunday. I love their home and their spirit. Also, it was carnival so we couldn't leave the house for Monday and Tuesday but Sunday it starts and basically what it is is you pour water and water balloons and paint and corn starch and everything on whoever no matter what no mercy. It's crazy. And everyone everywhere does it. So Sunday we got soaked even tho I was like no please my scriptures. (And no I didn't say it in Spanish so that's not why). And then again later and then the next day and then when getting out of the taxi. And then some more.... But it's okay I destroyed people from our roof top with water balloons. I had a nice burger for the first time in 3 months and it was super good even tho it wasn't probably that good. I watched part of a movie about the savior at a members house and it was super sad. It's crazy how he was walking through all those people spitting on him and hitting him but he was doing this all for them and still love them more than we can imagine. Elder Faraoni only made him self throw up 1 time this week on purpose because we had so much rice. He just goes in the bathroom and I plug my ears. It's so gross. My stomach been doing great but Elder Faraoni was bragging about how he hasn't had any problems with his stomach his whole time here in Ecuador and he's about to go home so God humbled him. Thats all I'm going to say haha. We had lots of lessons but I guess all there is to say is Antonio comes to church every Sunday and believes the book of Mormon to be the word of God as well but doesn't think baptism is really a saving ordinance. All you have to do is  believe in God he says. Mauricio we invited to be baptized but said he doesn't quite know if it's true yet but he's reading and praying. Except I don't know what it is here but a lot of people don't think it's right to pray for themselves and ask for things for themselves so they don't pray about whether our message is true or not. Or they think that they aren't worthy to pray or that prayers don't come true if you pray for too many things. So if they have one problem they just pray about that before the next one. We are working on this one. Nayeli and Daniel are totally just ignoring us more or less. We have some other people that I think are progressing well. 

Overall I'm hanging in there. I'm strengthening my testimony a lot. I set way to high of expectations for myself or that I have to teach some amazing lesson but it's not the truth. Just because I'm a missionary doesn't mean I have to know everything. Sometimes as a missionary it's really scary when you doubt you're testimony a little bit because you are supposed to be teaching other people and be able to look them in the eye and tell them what you are saying is the truth. Which it is the truth and I know that because I have prayed about it and my prayers have been answered over and over again but mainly because throughout my life I have exercised my faith and followed the commandments and I know I have been extremely blessed throughout my life for doing so. As a missionary it's cool to recognize those things  you were blessed with before them mission because then you can share them with other people. For example I've played 3 sports year round my entire life plus more and I have never broken a bone or had a really serious Injury. Just some strained muscles and sometimes a sore ankle. There's no doubt in my mind that it's because I never once participated in a game on Sunday and because I have followed the word of wisdom. Or just simple things like how every time I read the Book of Mormon almost without fail I feel better. I have more comfort or peace or I'm able to look at the things in my life with a better mindset. I guess my invitation for you guys is if you are doubting your testimony at all or want to have a testimony then exercise your faith and keep some of commandments (or all of them preferably haha) and you will be happier. And that will be your answer. 

Anyway love you guys have a good week. 

Probably some pretty terrible typos but I don't feel like reading through this. Thank you bye.