Hello again family!
I am happy to hear that another week has gone by quickly! Another week has passed by quickly here as well! And yes, I am using a computer where I can send photos! Finally!
Let's see, this week was pretty good in terms of the work. We managed to find some new investigators and have been teaching them some commandments and some of the lessons in detail. For some reason or another, the people we are finding now are more interested than the people in the past, something I'm grateful for! We have two investigators, Omar and Wilmer, who are progressing quickly towards baptism, always a happy time for a missionary! We're aiming for 28 May as their baptismal date. The 30th is when we have transfers, so we're hoping to get the baptisms in before that time! You could say the final week of this transfer is crunch time!
My new companion, Elder Choc, is a really good missionary! I think I mentioned this last week, but he has only 3 months left on the mission, so he's really working hard to finish strong. Before the mission, he didn't speak very much Spanish, because he's from a part in Guatemala where it's a native dialect. But he picked up Spanish really quickly and speaks very well. He spent 18 months of his mission in Guayaquil! That is a long time in one city! But there are a lot of sectors in Guayaquil, so he moved around from time to time. He says he is enjoying Machala because it is cooler in terms of temperature than in Guayaquil. Speaking of Guatemala, Andy Smith emailed me saying he received his mission call and will be serving in the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission. He leaves 21 September for the Provo MTC! He said he is really excited! I am also excited for him, and for Danny and Ben, who will be leaving in the next few weeks as well!
I have attached quite a few pictures, I hope they all get to you! They are of the Temple in Guayaquil, some height disparity (you'll understand why I say that when you see the picture) even a FIRE close to our house! When the Zone Leaders yelled "INCENDIO!" my journalist skills jumped into action, I went right for my camera. and got some photos. Also included are some photos of where we are living and some of my mad cooking skills. We had lunch with our district today and made hamburgers, which were excellent, mostly because I cooked them! Hehehe!
Something exciting coming up here rather quickly is the visit of Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles! He will be speaking exclusively to the missionaries of the Guayaquil North and Guayaquil South missions on the 25th of this month in Guayaquil. So that will be a very exciting time to hear an Apostle of the Lord give us some words of advice!
Enjoy your week! And again, I hope the pictures get to you! Thanks for the pictures of the banner for Javier Morales and of the robins by the house! Your camera is very good, Dad!
I love you all! Take care! More pictures next week as well!
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
(NOTE: No pictures were attached to Garrett's e-mail)
Garrett in front of the Guayaquil Temple
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
9 May 2011 - Machala & A New Companion
Hello family!
It was so great to talk to you all yesterday and hear how everything is going! I was incredibly happy all day yesterday knowing that I'd be able to call! I am very delighted to hear everything is going well and that everyone is happy!
Another Monday is here again, and I have some interesting news to share with you!
You know how we talked about how our transfers are 6 weeks long? Well, after we finished our hour of proselyting, Elder Ruiz and I walked in the house to find the Zone Leaders talking to the Assistants over the phone saying that there were transfers! Elder Ruiz, whom I had only three weeks with, was transfered to Guayaquil this morning! I must say I was a little shocked to hear about the transfers, seeing as I had only just talked to you about how long they were! But this happens sometimes in the mission, so it's not like the world is spinning out of control if there's a mid-transfer transfer.
My new companion is Elder Choc, who is also from Guatemala! He has only 3 months left in the mission! He seems happy and is happy to be here! I'm glad he is here too!
It seems a little crazy to be on my third companion and only midway through my second transfer! Hopefully I'll be able to stay with Elder Choc for a little bit longer time than just three weeks, but who knows, it's likely in three weeks, when this transfer ends, I could have a new companion and be in a new location! About the only thing I can say about that would be "CRAZY!" We'll see what happens!
Other than that, not much is going on. We're still working with some people in getting them to baptism, something they have trouble accepting, but we're getting close!
I received your email about Keaton, I will keep him in my prayers that all will turn out good for him, that he may be able to return to the field as soon as possible.
Well, wouldn't you know it, I get the computer where the USB drive doesn't work and there aren't any other computers available. AGH! I'll be honest, I'm just a little angry about that! I promise I will send photos when I get a computer that works!
Anyway, I love you all, and you are all in my prayers! Smile! :)
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
It was so great to talk to you all yesterday and hear how everything is going! I was incredibly happy all day yesterday knowing that I'd be able to call! I am very delighted to hear everything is going well and that everyone is happy!
Another Monday is here again, and I have some interesting news to share with you!
You know how we talked about how our transfers are 6 weeks long? Well, after we finished our hour of proselyting, Elder Ruiz and I walked in the house to find the Zone Leaders talking to the Assistants over the phone saying that there were transfers! Elder Ruiz, whom I had only three weeks with, was transfered to Guayaquil this morning! I must say I was a little shocked to hear about the transfers, seeing as I had only just talked to you about how long they were! But this happens sometimes in the mission, so it's not like the world is spinning out of control if there's a mid-transfer transfer.
My new companion is Elder Choc, who is also from Guatemala! He has only 3 months left in the mission! He seems happy and is happy to be here! I'm glad he is here too!
It seems a little crazy to be on my third companion and only midway through my second transfer! Hopefully I'll be able to stay with Elder Choc for a little bit longer time than just three weeks, but who knows, it's likely in three weeks, when this transfer ends, I could have a new companion and be in a new location! About the only thing I can say about that would be "CRAZY!" We'll see what happens!
Other than that, not much is going on. We're still working with some people in getting them to baptism, something they have trouble accepting, but we're getting close!
I received your email about Keaton, I will keep him in my prayers that all will turn out good for him, that he may be able to return to the field as soon as possible.
Well, wouldn't you know it, I get the computer where the USB drive doesn't work and there aren't any other computers available. AGH! I'll be honest, I'm just a little angry about that! I promise I will send photos when I get a computer that works!
Anyway, I love you all, and you are all in my prayers! Smile! :)
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Monday, May 2, 2011
2 May 2011 from Machala
Hello family! Sorry if this seems short, but we're going to the Temple in Guayaquil today so we're limited on time!
Everything is still good here in Machala, especially the weather. It's starting to cool down and I've heard it gets into the mid 60's some days! That is a welcome sign! Our investigators are doing good as well. We have some great people who know with all their hearts that this is the true Church!
I was meaning to send pictures today, but with the limited time, I'll send them next week, I promise!
I am very surprised to hear the news about Bin Laden. I guess you could say that was very unexpected! The world is much safer now, well, at least we can hope so!
Sorry for not responding to all the questions you've asked! But to answer one, the fruits here are very fresh and delicious! Especially bananas! Oranges too!
I'll get some great photos of the Temple today and tomorrow and I'll be sure to send them to you!
Thanks for your weekly letters, I always feel good after reading them!!!
Oh yeah, I love the picture of you all at the RSL game! It definitely made me smile!
I love you all! Tell everyone hi! More next week (I promise!)
On Sunday 8 May I will call hopefully around 630 or 7 pm here (430 or 5 there in Utah). I forgot to add that in the first email! Sorry! Talk to you on Sunday!
Love you all!
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Monday, April 25, 2011
25 April 2011 Semana Santa
Hello family! Hope everyone had a nice Easter! This past week in Ecuador was "Semana Santa" or Holy Week, so it was rather difficult finding people to contact and/or teach, especially Friday and Saturday, where basically everyone, except the members of our ward, left to go to the beach and have a mini-vacation of sorts. We only managed to get one of our investigators to Sacrament meeting on Sunday, but at least it wasn't zero! It's a funny story with our investigator, Francisco Chavez. He's basically the boyfriend of the Stake President's daughter. With that in mind, we feel pretty confident he will be baptized in a couple weeks, specifically the 14th of May. In our ward, we're really lucky because we have the Stake President, the Stake Patriarch, along with the Bishop to go to for help or whatever we need!
Our living conditions were a bit tough for me to get used to at first, but I'm adjusting quickly. Probably the toughest part is not having AC in the house, as is the case in every house here, so I'm getting used to that. We do have fans, however, so it's not terribly hot at nights! We live in an apartment with the Machala Zone Leaders, Elder Bigelow of Utah, and Elder Ochoa, of Guatemala. It's really nice to be with them and share experiences about our sectors. We eat breakfast and dinner in the house (sometimes dinner with members), and we eat lunch with "Mamitas" or the ward members. It is so nice to talk with the members on a daily basis. It's very important to have their support and friendship!
I will send some more pictures next week. I don't have my camera with me this week, but I'll snap some photos to give you more of a view from Puerto Bolivar!
Oh, and for Mother's Day... I will call the house some time during the day, but just so you have the number. You'll have to call the number back so we can talk. I know, sounds a little bit odd, but that's what we've been told to do. And we'll be able to talk for 40 minutes. Again, sounds a little too short, but I've been told it's just plenty of time.
No KFC today, but we went to Machala Central and ate at a hamburger place there. It was really quite tasty! I might have to go back in a few weeks!
Glad everything is still going going well and that everyone is doing alright!
Love you all tons! Write you next week!
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Our living conditions were a bit tough for me to get used to at first, but I'm adjusting quickly. Probably the toughest part is not having AC in the house, as is the case in every house here, so I'm getting used to that. We do have fans, however, so it's not terribly hot at nights! We live in an apartment with the Machala Zone Leaders, Elder Bigelow of Utah, and Elder Ochoa, of Guatemala. It's really nice to be with them and share experiences about our sectors. We eat breakfast and dinner in the house (sometimes dinner with members), and we eat lunch with "Mamitas" or the ward members. It is so nice to talk with the members on a daily basis. It's very important to have their support and friendship!
I will send some more pictures next week. I don't have my camera with me this week, but I'll snap some photos to give you more of a view from Puerto Bolivar!
Oh, and for Mother's Day... I will call the house some time during the day, but just so you have the number. You'll have to call the number back so we can talk. I know, sounds a little bit odd, but that's what we've been told to do. And we'll be able to talk for 40 minutes. Again, sounds a little too short, but I've been told it's just plenty of time.
No KFC today, but we went to Machala Central and ate at a hamburger place there. It was really quite tasty! I might have to go back in a few weeks!
Glad everything is still going going well and that everyone is doing alright!
Love you all tons! Write you next week!
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Monday, April 18, 2011
Still In Machala, No Transfer For Me! 18 Apr 2011
Hello Family!
It's been a pretty crazy week with transfers and all! I'm happy to report that I'm still in Machala in the Puerto Bolivar ward. Elder Denison, however, was transfered to Guayaquil early Friday morning, 15 April. My new companion is Elder Ruiz, from Escuintla, Guatemala. He has over a year and a half in the mission! He came from a big sector in Guayaquil to one of the smallest in the entire mission, so it was a bit of a shock from him.
Baptism wise, still nothing... We were getting really close with a couple who lived in our sector, but then we found out they moved for pretty much good to Esmeraldas, which is in the north of Ecuador, in the Quito mission. As you can imagine, it was a little frustrating to find that out. But we can contact the missionaries up there and give them the reference. But we are still teaching some great people who have told us that they want the Gospel in their lives, so at least there is something to fall back on.
I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with everyone! Not too much is going on here, except that Elder Marcus B. Nash, of the Seventy, and President of the South America Northwest area will be here in Machala tomorrow, 19 April, giving a Charla Fogonera (Fireside) at the stake center. We get the chance to be there and talk with him tomorrow in the morning about 0900, and then his fireside is at 1930. It should be a good turn out! I actually met Elder Nash while in the Lima MTC, so it will be exciting to see him again!
For Mother's Day, we will get to call sometime during the day and get to talk for about 45 minutes is what I've heard. So that will be a very exciting time! I can't wait for it either!
Well, that's about all for this week! Hopefully there's more to report next week!
Oh yeah, still haven't had any "weird" foods yet. Today's lunch was KFC in Machala Central! A little spoiled? Maybe. :) It was really good!
Take care everyone!
Love,
Elder Garrett Cederquist
It's been a pretty crazy week with transfers and all! I'm happy to report that I'm still in Machala in the Puerto Bolivar ward. Elder Denison, however, was transfered to Guayaquil early Friday morning, 15 April. My new companion is Elder Ruiz, from Escuintla, Guatemala. He has over a year and a half in the mission! He came from a big sector in Guayaquil to one of the smallest in the entire mission, so it was a bit of a shock from him.
Baptism wise, still nothing... We were getting really close with a couple who lived in our sector, but then we found out they moved for pretty much good to Esmeraldas, which is in the north of Ecuador, in the Quito mission. As you can imagine, it was a little frustrating to find that out. But we can contact the missionaries up there and give them the reference. But we are still teaching some great people who have told us that they want the Gospel in their lives, so at least there is something to fall back on.
I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with everyone! Not too much is going on here, except that Elder Marcus B. Nash, of the Seventy, and President of the South America Northwest area will be here in Machala tomorrow, 19 April, giving a Charla Fogonera (Fireside) at the stake center. We get the chance to be there and talk with him tomorrow in the morning about 0900, and then his fireside is at 1930. It should be a good turn out! I actually met Elder Nash while in the Lima MTC, so it will be exciting to see him again!
For Mother's Day, we will get to call sometime during the day and get to talk for about 45 minutes is what I've heard. So that will be a very exciting time! I can't wait for it either!
Well, that's about all for this week! Hopefully there's more to report next week!
Oh yeah, still haven't had any "weird" foods yet. Today's lunch was KFC in Machala Central! A little spoiled? Maybe. :) It was really good!
Take care everyone!
Love,
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Monday, April 11, 2011
Another Week in Machala!
Hi Dad! Thanks for the update! Sounds like a busy week! Kind of like mine are!
Hello Mom!
I've been pretty good this week, although I got a little sick last Friday, I think it was from a hot dog I ate for lunch :( It was prepared well and all, oh well, I feel perfectly fine now, so no worries!
In terms of missionary life, it's interesting for sure! No interesting foods this week, but we ate chicken and fries twice yesterday, for lunch and dinner! It was really good! My daily schedule is really busy. We wake up at 0630 every morning, do some exercising for half and hour, then we shower (they're cold, but not freezing cold, so I'm always quick in showering) and prepare. From 0800 to 0900 we have personal study, from 0900 to 1000 we have companionship study. From 1000 to 1300 we go out and proselyte/teach and then eat lunch from 1300-1400. From that time until 2100 we proselyte and teach some more. We plan until 2130 (most nights it goes until 2200 though!) We're able to eat something while and after we plan! Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays are the only days that have a different schedule. P-Day Monday, district meeting on Tuesday, and Church on Sunday, we attend at the same time you do! From 1500-1800 for us!
We get $160 every month, which rolls over as well, so there's a little bit extra every month!
Everything is good here, it's starting to rain a little bit more every week, so the temperatures have cooled down a little!
Love you!
Elder G!
Hello Mom!
I'm not sure where my blessing would be, perhaps in my room... I think that's where I last left it. You can probably ask Patriarch Cornea for another copy.
The weather has cooled down just a little bit here, as it's starting to rain a couple times a week, a welcome blessing!
I'm glad you're staying busy with the business! I love hearing about the projects you're all doing!
Last week was pretty busy, and this week is sure to be as well, because next week we have "Cambios" or Transfers. I probably won't find out until Sunday if I'm going anywhere, or if I'll stay in Puerto Bolivar here in Machala.
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, I know you're always in mine as well! It keeps my motivation level up! That still, small voice is powerful at times!
This week should be fun, I get to speak in Sacrament meeting! Hopefully I don't butcher Spanish too bad!
Disfruta su semana! (Enjoy your week!)
Con mucho amor (With much love)
Elder G!
Monday, April 4, 2011
4 April 2011 Machala, Ecuador
Wow, what a busy week you had!
Yes, I was able to watch the 4 sessions of Conference, along with the Priesthood session Saturday night, all in Spanish! And I was able to understand a great majority of it! It was a great recharge of my batteries and gave me even more motivation to keep pushing on in the work! Are you surprised to hear about the Temple in Fort Collins, CO? I was so excited to hear that, along with the other temples in Idaho and Winnipeg, Canada! I noticed a lot of the messages were about being prepared, as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan showed, we should all be ready.
This last week was pretty tough, as we had to let a lot of investigators go and find new ones, because they weren´t progressing at all. We've managed to find new ones, however, and get lessons in with them. We're planning a baptism for THIS SATURDAY, the 9th! It finally seems the work is paying off! I'm really excited!
This morning (4 April) at 0430, we left to go to Guayaquil to pick up my Censo (or resdency card) here in Ecuador. It feels good knowing that I'm not "illegal" per say anymore! But it has been a very long day, as we woke up at 0200! At least the buses we take are confortable, so I was able to get a few hours of sleep to and from Guayaquil.
Sounds like all is chevere (Spanish for "awesome") back home, which I always love to hear! The time is going by so fast! I've been here a month already! Crazy!
Can't wait for next week!
Love you tons!
Elder Garrett
Hello Mom!
I can't believe it's Monday again! Last week was tough, but it got so much better when Conference rolled around! It was tough because our investigators weren't progressing at all, and so we had to go out and find new ones, a task I thought we would be working at for a LONG time. Luckily it took us only a day or two to get things back rolling!
We were able to watch all the sessions of Conference this weekend! It was incredible and in Spanish! I understood a lot of it! Oh, and I met Elder Tait on Saturday too and told him how you and his mom are emailing each other. Elder Tait is super cool, so it was really neat to meet him! I wish I would have seen the MTC special, but I bet it was just a KSL thing, as we got the Satellite transmission from Salt Lake City. Conference came on here at 11 am, 9 at home, so we actually saw it live, and not on an hour delay as it is on KSL. I thought that was interesting.
We're progressing towards our first baptism, which we're planning for this Saturday!!!! It should be a blast!
I'm glad the business is still doing good, along with everyone else! Staying busy as always!
I love you tons! And yet again, next Monday will be here in the blink of an eye!
Talk to you then!
Love,
Elder Garrett!
Right now, I'm good with everything. Clothes are holding up good, but I've somehow lost two short sleeved shirts. I don't know what happened to them, but that's it. Yeah, but for now, I have all I need.
Actually, if you could email me a copy of Patriarcal Blessing, that'd be great!
Love you,
G!
Yes, I was able to watch the 4 sessions of Conference, along with the Priesthood session Saturday night, all in Spanish! And I was able to understand a great majority of it! It was a great recharge of my batteries and gave me even more motivation to keep pushing on in the work! Are you surprised to hear about the Temple in Fort Collins, CO? I was so excited to hear that, along with the other temples in Idaho and Winnipeg, Canada! I noticed a lot of the messages were about being prepared, as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan showed, we should all be ready.
This last week was pretty tough, as we had to let a lot of investigators go and find new ones, because they weren´t progressing at all. We've managed to find new ones, however, and get lessons in with them. We're planning a baptism for THIS SATURDAY, the 9th! It finally seems the work is paying off! I'm really excited!
This morning (4 April) at 0430, we left to go to Guayaquil to pick up my Censo (or resdency card) here in Ecuador. It feels good knowing that I'm not "illegal" per say anymore! But it has been a very long day, as we woke up at 0200! At least the buses we take are confortable, so I was able to get a few hours of sleep to and from Guayaquil.
Sounds like all is chevere (Spanish for "awesome") back home, which I always love to hear! The time is going by so fast! I've been here a month already! Crazy!
Can't wait for next week!
Love you tons!
Elder Garrett
Hello Mom!
I can't believe it's Monday again! Last week was tough, but it got so much better when Conference rolled around! It was tough because our investigators weren't progressing at all, and so we had to go out and find new ones, a task I thought we would be working at for a LONG time. Luckily it took us only a day or two to get things back rolling!
We were able to watch all the sessions of Conference this weekend! It was incredible and in Spanish! I understood a lot of it! Oh, and I met Elder Tait on Saturday too and told him how you and his mom are emailing each other. Elder Tait is super cool, so it was really neat to meet him! I wish I would have seen the MTC special, but I bet it was just a KSL thing, as we got the Satellite transmission from Salt Lake City. Conference came on here at 11 am, 9 at home, so we actually saw it live, and not on an hour delay as it is on KSL. I thought that was interesting.
We're progressing towards our first baptism, which we're planning for this Saturday!!!! It should be a blast!
I'm glad the business is still doing good, along with everyone else! Staying busy as always!
I love you tons! And yet again, next Monday will be here in the blink of an eye!
Talk to you then!
Love,
Elder Garrett!
Right now, I'm good with everything. Clothes are holding up good, but I've somehow lost two short sleeved shirts. I don't know what happened to them, but that's it. Yeah, but for now, I have all I need.
Actually, if you could email me a copy of Patriarcal Blessing, that'd be great!
Love you,
G!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)