16 Jan 2012

Hello family from sunny, rainy, humid, call it what you'd like Guayaquil! The weather has been each one of those this past week. Well, first off, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Hyde family for the passing away of Sister Theresa. That is very sad news to hear. The Hyde family has always been an example to me, the Lord has greatly blessed that family over the past few years. I will certainly keep them in my prayers.

This past week was kind of tough, as the program here in Puerto Nuevo is a little low, so we had to go out and find more people to teach, which was a little more difficult than in times past. I finally started to realize this last week that there is a lot of confusion amongst the people here who attend "their" church. It seems about every block in this part of G'quil has at least one, maybe two churches, Evangelical, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholic, etc. Seeing that as a missionary is rather mind-blowing and confusing to me as well. And it seems people just start up a "church" right there in their own house as well, it's unbelievable. What Elder Alvarez and I are having to do is explain in great detail the whole point of Authority from God, something that ONLY the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints possesses. But it takes more than just saying that, it includes using the Bible quite a bit to prove that it is actually true. But not everyone believes the same way, and some just flat out reject the message we teach. For I think the first time in the mission I had a Book of Mormon rejected by someone last week. That gives me a new perspective on the mission work, not that they're bad people, but it will take a long, hard effort to find those elect of God. And that's the purpose, to find those who will accept the restored Gospel in their lives.

I was able to see some of the awesome members from Las Esclusas this weekend, as we, well I, was teaching an English class, and Esclusas had a cleaning project in the Chapel. Many members mentioned that "they missed me" and "things aren't the same." I was very humbled to hear them say those things, not that I'm boasting of myself in any way, but it was very good to see them happy!

Also in Ecuador this past week, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a stop in Quito to visit President Rafael Correa. I'm sure that lifted a few eyebrows back in the States. Not much came of the visit from what I heard, but Correa just completed 5 years as president, and he's trying to make it so he can be in office longer. We'll see what happens there...

Well, the good news is that there are photos this week! Some photos of those "monigotes," good food, and a small house! And I also received my package last week! I'm good to go now!

I love you all! Hope you're enjoying your holiday! 

Write you next week!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

9 Jan 2012 Wet in Guayaquil

Hello family from a cloudy, somewhat rainy Guayaquil! Well, first things first, I was transferred yet again from the 7 de Septiembre Ward to the Puerto Nuevo Ward. Now if Puerto Nuevo sounds familiar to you, it should, it's in the stake with the same name, Puerto Nuevo, and it borders my old sector, Las Esclusas, so a lot looks familiar here! I was a little bit bummed about this change due to the fact that Elder Curtis and I had two baptisms lined up for this weekend, and we had worked really hard for them, but the Lord works in His ways, so I can't do too much about that. My new companion, companion number 12, is Elder Alvarez, from Granada, Nicaragua. He has 6 months on the mission and has been in this sector for about 3 months.

Well, the last week in Siete was pretty good, we found a lot of new people to teach, got more help from the members, and we were thinking that transfers wouldn't come for us. But as I was praying last night, just about to get into bed, the Zone Leaders called, and said I had a transfer, the only one of the four missionaries in the house. At first I was more shocked than anything, then a little bit sad to know I won't be able to see those baptisms. So then it was off to packing, which surprisingly only took an hour to do, as I had most of my stuff all together. I wasn't expecting to be transferred, it's just I was organized enough so I could have everything ready to go in short time. The house I'm in now has to be the smallest house in the mission, without a doubt. I hope I don't get claustrophobic! But I should be fine, it's not as hot outside as it has been lately, as the rainy season has started, so the umbrellas will be coming out very soon.

Other than that, not too much is going on, mainly for the fact that I was transferred, so it will be another new time to learn and meet the people of this sector, even though I do know some of them just from being in Esclusas, so that is a bonus. I am still awaiting the package of the razors and journal you sent me. I hope it has arrived and it's just waiting in the office, but who knows....

I'm glad to hear it finally snowed! About time! The picture you sent me looks great! About pictures, I've not benn able to take too many lately, as P-Days have been super busy and seem super short! I suppose that happens when you complete a year on the mission! But I will get you pictures next week, as the Cyber were at is a really good one and my companion says the pictures send really fast! No worries, all is well with that!

Here soon I'll have to start getting some stuff to bring back for all of you. I'll try and look for some stuff!

Oh yeah, I got a "friendly" letter last week discouraging the use of blogs, as it's a matter of privacy, and the Church doesn't want problems with that. So you'll have to discontinue the blog, but encourage everyone to write me so I can share with them a little bit as well.

Hey send me some photos from the house and of all of you! And as I mentioned, I'll send photos next week!

Well, I love you all, I'm happy to hear all is going well and that everyone is in good spirits.

Take care this week, and I'll write more next Monday!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

2 Jan 2012 ¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO FAMILIA! Here we are in 2012! Incredible! Without a doubt, 2011 was the quickest year of my life! For all but three weeks of last year I was either in Peru or Ecuador! It has been an incredible experience living in South America, getting to know the people, the cultures, and the food! I can't really believe it's 2012, and I'm expecting this year to be fast as lightning, so I have to take advantage of every moment I have left here on the mission, which, on Wednesday reaches 1 YEAR! WOO HOO! I think that calls for a party in our house!!! We'll see about that one :)

Wow, this last week of 2011 was a good one too. We managed to keep finding a lot of people even with another shortened week due to New Years, which was a very interesting experience! So the four of us that live in the house, Elder Johnson, Elder McRae, Elder Curtis and I had turned out the lights at 10:30 Saturday night, just planning to wake up Sunday morning and be sarcastically excited that it was 2012. Well, that didn't happen. About 5 minutes to 12, all the monigotes that people burn went up in flames, many small fireworks started going off, and at 12 exactly, it sounded like a war zone right outside of our house! I looked out our window and I saw about 5 fires burning from the monigotes and all the bombitos they put in them were exploding. So we all got out of our beds and watched and listened to all the madness going on! It put a smile on my face, as I remembered all the New Years parties from years past with everyone, friends and family, although they weren't as crazy as the party I saw here! Granted, it was a little hard to sleep after, but we managed to make it through all of Sunday as well cooped up in the house. This week will be a little bit more calm I'm thinking, although on Friday more monigotes will be going up in smoke, as the bigger monigotes that were made will be judged and then burnt. There are some interesting traditions here in Ecuador, and I get the great chance as a missionary to see them. Everybody asks us what we do for holidays like Christmas and New Years, and almost always our answer is "not what you guys do!"

Wow, this past year, as I mentioned, has been full of lifetime memories, and many people I won't forget. I am expecting this year to be just the same. It kind of scares me to think that I only have one year left, and judging by last year's pace, it'll be over before I know it! It will be very fun!

Well, I've got to go now, but I love you all, and I'm glad you all had a great New Years!

Hasta el próximo lunes,

CHAO!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

26 Dec 2011

Hi again family! Yes, I know it has been a short time since we talked yesterday, but I will take a little time to write something short! It was really nice to talk to all of you and hear your voices, it was long-awaited! I enjoyed the pictures of your gingerbread houses, they all look great! However, I do give Mom the "Best looking house" award, although all of them look fantastic! Too bad graham crackers aren't sold here, or else I would have made my own too! However, we did make plenty of our own food on Saturday and Sunday, so we were well fed! I mentioned to you that I made pancakes yesterday for the other Elders in the house, later on in the night I remembered I had bought a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, so we had no problem in downing that either! It was definitely an experience I won't soon forget. I'm told that for New Year's we also have to be in the house, and I imagine why. People here build things called "monigotes", which are large renditions of popular figures from movies and entertainment this year, and when New Years rolls around, they burn them in the streets, causing a lot of black smoke to fill the sky, which probably doesn't help anyones lungs, and they all will probably drinking heavily, which could spell disaster if someone isn't careful. So, I'm fine with being in the house. But one of the popular monigotes is of the Smurfs (Pitufos en español). There are also some of Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa, many of The Simpsons, and whatever else happened to be popular in this year.

We'll be working really hard to get two baptisms this week, but with another short week, it could be more difficult than expected! We are still working with two great people, Holger, and Noemi. Both of them have a baptism date for this weekend, and they're both excited, so it's just up to us to keep them excited and arrive at the waters of baptism this weekend! I'll let you know how that turned out next week, which will also mean 1 YEAR!!! Woo hoo! Wow, the time has gone by real fast, and this next year will go by even faster I imagine! It will be a time of working hard and diligently, getting as many people possible back into the Lord's fold. I do oft-times ask myself "Where did this first year go?" I have had many experiences, which I'm trying hard to remember them all! The mission is for sure a unique opportunity in life to get to know how things are in other parts of the world. It took me a while to figure how people maintain themselves here, and in different ways, but they manage to do it, which I see as a grand blessing for them!

Well family, like I said, just something short for this week, as next week will be a little longer, maybe a look-back on 1 year as a missionary!

Love you all! Write ya next week!

(I tried uploading some pictures, but it didn't work, next week then!)
--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

19 Dec 2011

Dearest family,

Yet again Monday has arrived, this time a week before the very special holiday of Christmas! By the way, thanks for the awesome picture of all the family! Looks like everyone is happy (as they should be) for the Christmas season. I received the package that the Young Women of the ward sent this past week! Thanks for that! The Gingerbread house and the Christmas tree look real nice! :)

This past week was a little bit crazy, we were to have a baptism, but unfortunately it fell through due to some health problems within the family of our investigator, Noemi. So we've pushed it back to this Friday, so we'll have 2 for sure baptisms this Friday, while we could have another 2 baptisms of a great couple, John and Julisa. They have to get married still, and they need to do it this week, so we're really praying for them so they can get married, so their baptisms can be had as well. Either way, this week leading up to Christmas will be a very special one sharing the Gospel, a message of real happiness, with everyone we can. And the members of the ward have told us they'll bring food for us at our house for Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and Navidad (Christmas Day)! So we'll be good to go this weekend! 

We manage to keep working with new investigators, helping understand and accept the Gospel in their lives. It really brings a great spirit to see them accept the Gospel and make the changes in their lives. I've seen it many times while here in Ecuador, it is amazing! That is my wish for the new year as well, that more and more people can come unto Christ and see the blessings He has prepared for them more clearly in this life. And just like Mom said in her email, we're at the halfway point! (Ok, ALMOST at the halfway point) :)

Well, I'll keep this email short so there is a lot to talk about this Sunday, via SKYPE! Woo hoo! Love you all and talk to you/see you on Sunday!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

12 Dec 2011 Sunscreen in December

Hello once again family from a sunny and hot Guayaquil. This week the weather has been very, very warm, so sunscreen (yet another thing I am not used to using in December) has been in good use. This week, up until last night, was just one of those "ugh, this is week is dragging on" weeks. That is until we found Holger, who was a referral from the Batallón Ward, which has boundaries with my ward, 7 de Septiembre. We went to teach Holger, not knowing what to expect, like what kind of person he would be. Within a few minutes of getting to know him, he explained to us in detail what he understood about the first four chapters of 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I was completely taken back by his knowledge and comprehension of all the events that took place in those chapters. So we taught him about the Restoration, and he understood all the principles of that as well. Without hesitation, Elder Curtis and I put the baptismal date, for the 23rd, and he accepted! An advantage we have is he already has one church attendance in Batallón, where he has several friends, one of whom is a returned missionary. So he only has to attend this week to be baptized the following! Woohoo! We will be working with him this week and the following to get him to baptism! He´s a golden investigator!

I´ll share a little about the area, as that was a request from Dad last week. We´re located in the south of Guayaquil, in the Suburbios del Batallón (the suburbs). There are a lot of small roads, only one way basically, which makes for kind of a maze trying to get from visit to visit. I am still trying to get accustomed to that. One thing that has confused me since I arrived in Ecuador are the directions, like North, South, East, West. And the addresses of people´s houses. There´s no organized structure to the road system here, it is confusing, so it takes time to know what is where and all that good stuff. Especially with all the transfers that I have had in the last two, going on three months, getting located can be quite hard!

Other than that, not too much is going on, just working hard and always keeping busy! Sorry for the shortness of this letter! I´ll let you all know next week about the Christmas phone call and how and when I´ll call you!

Love you all, and say hi to all the family at the Christmas party this week! Tell them I am enjoying the hot weather!!!!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur

5 December 2011 -- Eleven Months

¡Hola Familia Cederquist! Wow, I can't believe it either, we're already in December! Very soon this year will be in the books, and I don't think I have words to describe how fast this year has gone by! It's definitely been a year in where I've learned many new things, met some amazing people, and have gotten accustomed to moving around! But I am still here in Guayaquil, 7 de Septiembre, so for once I can feel a little relief in not having to travel! I'm still getting a little re-accustomed to the heat of Guayaquil, as I was away from that heat about two months when I was in Cuenca and Naranjito, but that's just a temporary thing!

This past week was a little bit tough, but we did manage to have a baptism of Karim, whose parents are less-active members, but a really great family. (I do have photos, but I left my camera at the house, sorry!) The baptismal service went really great, quite a few members attended in support of Karim and his family. We're looking forward to a really productive week to kick December off. Yesterday we got hosed by our investigators, who said they were going to attend church, and when we went to pick them up, nobody! Ouch! Of course, it doesn't help anything when church starts at 8:00 AM (6:00 AM there in good ole Utah). Nobody, including us as missionaries, are really awake, thus making it rather difficult to have many people attend with us. This is something President Montalti has expressed concern about in the past few weeks, and he mentioned he's trying to change some schedules to make it more convenient for us and our investigators to attend. But if I manage to stay here for the New Year, the schedule changes to 10:00 AM for us, so as it stands with four or so weeks left in the year, I think we can manage the 8 AM time slot. That's another thing that is surprising to me, in the six wards/branches I've been in, one has started at 8 AM, four have started at 9 AM, and one at 3 PM. I prefer the morning meetings, just so you know! :)

I feel December is going to fly by, and we'll be at that year mark before we know it! Don't worry, I'm not "trunky" as they say here in the mission, but it really did hit me this past week how fast the mission goes by. It feels as if just last week I started in the Provo MTC. Every day has been an experience, and I've sure had my ups-and-downs, but many more "up" moments than "down". I'm trying to keep up my day-to.day happenings in my journal as well, but lately it's been hard with having to talk to the District and Zone Leaders almost on a nightly basis.

Last night we were able to catch 45 minutes of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, which started at 8 PM here. Only managed to see Pres. Uchtdorf's address along with part of Pres. Eyring's address. I felt kind of empty not hearing President Monson speak, but General Conference will be here again really quick in April, so that will be a good time.

Well familia, got to get going, but I'm glad to hear that remains well back home, even though the temperature seems quite cold! December through March or so is the hottest time here in Ecuador. People are kind of backwards here, when they talk about winter, they always mention how hot it gets, and that summer is the rainy season! I was confused at first about that too!

Write ya next week! Chao!

--
Elder Garrett Cederquist
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur