Success and Trials...

Dear Family and Friends,

I apologize for my letters being so horribly written. My English is getting horrible.

First of all, the weekend of conference, we had very little opposition, we got to go to two sessions of conference, but had 5 people attend, first was the Jiminez family: Grey, her son Justin, and her daughter Ladt. Then, Monica and one her son Sabastian. We found both of these families by a miracle. Monica we found that Saturday night, Justo, we went to Zamora Huayco Barrio and a member had her as reference waiting for us. The referral is her step daughter, who for quite a while has been attending christian churches, and is honestly searching for the truth.  She went the Sunday morning session of conference.  She hasn't accepted a baptismal date, but if she knows the church is true, she will be baptized. Family Jimenez, we just found by contacing them in the calle, they told us that they didn't believe in the Virgin Mary, they accepted a Book of Mormon, after a couple visits with them...they accepted to prepare for a baptismal date....they also went to the Saturday morning session of conference...we are really praying and hoping that they will progress.

Dia Miercoles (Wednesday), we realized that a member who is our mamita ( she makes us lunch every Wednesday) had brought two of her work friends Friday night to clean the capilla (chapel). They literally took 3 hours to clean the church. They left around midnight, and the next day one of her friends that helped clean, Se llama Yaima Torrez came with her son and watched the Saturday afternoon session of the conference and we didn't even know it! We really had 7 people come to the conference, but that is okay...what really is important is the following up and we have a sita (discussion?) tonight with both of the member's friends...we are excited to teach them.

This week thus far, has been difficult, the whole week, no member was willing to accompany us.  It rained about half of the week, and my compañera this week has had a few hardships, she bought some bad milk, she received a ripped 20 dollar bill and no accepted it. Stuff was not happening her way. It was really hard for me to make mistakes, and not forgive myself,. This week and in many occasions, the Adversary attacks me through my self-esteem, and so I get into this vicious cycle of feeling sorry for myself and not changing...but I know that is not what repentance is about. I learned that need to set small goals before I can reach the big ones. As a companionship  we learned that during times of trials we have to look at it as sign to grow, a time of gratitude, and a time to grow in the love that God has for us. Many times God wants us to learn something when something isn't going our way, usually it is because ewe need to think of a solution, this week we are going to teach the lessons differently in a way, that our investigators can have the message stick in their heads, and they can have a spiritual experience.

A scripture that really helped me this week, is found in Helaman 5:9-11, 17-19, The missionaries Lehi and Nefi (how she spells Nephi now) remembered their objective to invite people to come unto Christ and to be baptized, they remembered their fathers and there reason for coming to the promised land, they remembered the words of the prophets, that if they keep the commandments, and build their foundation of Christ, they can never fall. and and ''they did preach with such great power and authority given unto them...therefore they did speak with unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, in so much that there were 8 thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance''

I know I just need to remember why I wanted to serve, so that families can be together forever, and taht I can learn to become a true disciple of Christ and have a pure love for all men. Yo Sé que este es la Iglesia de JesuCristo, Yo Sé El murio para mi and yo Sé que El vive hoy dia, y algún dia vamos a vivir con EL en las eternidades...me encanta este gran obra!

Les amo muchismo
Hermana Arnold

Editors note: I can vouch for how poor her English is now.  I was talking to a Spanish teacher that i work with and he said that this is good because she is almost certainly gaining a mastery of Spanish. Each time I put one of her letters on her blog, it gets more and more difficult.  I am thankful for Google Translate.

Intercambios (Exchanges) and Bus Rides!

So this week I had intercambios(exchanges) in Zamaro, my companion was in the jungle, and I stayed in Jipiro, but I got some sicks pictures of water falls, I'll have to send them next week.

In Loja, it is cold, beautiful, and lots of people are blessed with a lot of money, but Satan has a lot of power over the people here. There is lots of Idolotry, and a lot of people cannot accept the book of mormon, because they already have a bible...they cant give up their traditions of thier fathers, This week have been really trying harder to work and leave with the members, but when people lack faith, Satan has so much power. One night, we were on a bus to teach a person in another subdivision, but the bus stopped the lights went out, and the driver of the bus was trying to move the bus. We were crossing a small bridge over a river, but he couldn't maneuver it correctly. We were very close to the edge...a lot of people wanted to get off the bus, but the driver said no, I am going to fix it. The spirit on the bus was very ugly. When he tried driving in the right direction we got even closer to the edge...We all got off the bus and I knew that Satan did not want us to teach tonight.

Despite our many trials and opposition that we receive in Loja, we realized that we have to strengthen our knowledge more in the scriptures and we have to know Satan's weaknesses, and we have to be strong enough spiritually and mentally in order to win this game. This morning I was studying preach my gospel, Knowledge, in christ like attributes. Scriptures that really helped me was was in D&C 88:118, 131:6, Alma 17:3... it says that if we strengthen our knowledge in the gospel that we can teach with more power and authority. I really am trying to organize more of my thoughts and studies so that I can have more an effective and spiritual study and apply them in my mission.

Here is really cool quote from Henry B Eyring that I absolutely loved that I know relates to missionary work:

The Lord has given us all the source of hope as we struggle to help those we love accept their eternal inheritance. He has made promises to us as we keep trying to gather people to Him, even when they resist His invitation to do so. Their resistance saddens Him, but He does not quit, nor should we. He sets the perfect example for us with His persistent love:“And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen;yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.”

I know that our efforts are worth it...and than even though people dont accept it now, our ancestors will be blessed for our efforts and that if we keep our covenants we can have eternal life. I love this gospel and I know that it is true. 

Love you all.

Hermana Arnold

All of a Sudden....Transfers (CAMBIOS)

Well, I would like to send pictures but every time I find a computer in the cybers that don't work with the photos entonces, someday I will send you some recent photos with me in them. I am a little Gordita but it is what it is. Welcome to Mission Ecuador Guayaquil Sur.

Where's I've been so far (click here to see more)

So, in the middle of this week I had CAMBIOS (transfers)! There was an emergency and one of the other hermanas in the other zone needed transfers, entonces, por eso I had cambios and now I am the in the other east zone of Loja and I am in a rama (branch) called Jipiro. I was sad at first.  I really loved Catamayo and all the members; it really was a special place, but I guess this is just the will of the Lord, and I guess its just good practice for life.

Bueno, the members have a reputation of not liking the Hermanas because of something that happened a while a back, and a lot of them like the Elders more than the Hermanas, but we have plans to change that, we actually fasted that we could gain their confidence and that we could have unity with them. I was surprised and realized that the Lord blessed us because a lot of them were willing to help us I think simply because they see that we are willing to work.  We always have to be on our best behavior and we have to be perfect examples always so that people can trust us. It is such a big responsibility, but I know that we are Christ's disciples and we have to represent Him.

This week I realized why I needed to be in Jipiro because I have a lot animos (excitement, motivation) to work and to find people.  They have this saying on the mission which is,  "Qitar la tapa."It means to take away the top. If we don't let anything stop us from reaching our goals and don't let our doubts interfere with those goals,  the Lord can bless us with miracles and many people that are prepared for us. It is true that there are more people that are prepared for me here than there are in Catamayo.  I know that is another reason why I am here.

This week we found a women named Ulga, and she all her life has been very spirtual and had a dream about Jesus Christ ( que bestia all these people who have visions of God in there dreams) and before she met us she said she had a dreams needed to receive something from someone.  She is so prepared and we just found her trying to contact a referral, She just needs to have a sincere heart and ask God if these things are true and come to church, but Satan is going to do everything that he can so that she cant go, but the Lord wanted us to find her and I hope that she progresses.

Also, my new companion is named Hermana Argueta and she is from Guatemala, another Latina...hopefully by the end of my mission I will be a Fluint Latina. :)

Love,

Hermana Arnold

Halfway done, and turning 20 years old.

Note:  September 1 is Hermana Arnold's halfway point.  It has gone by so fast for us here at home.  It looks like she is having a great time, despite the normal mission adversity.  Here is her letter home this week. 

Hello everyone,

I had a good birthday, my district bought me pan de chocolate, and on P-day I bought 2 skirts for 3.50 and a dress for 10 and shoes for 13, I love how cheap things are in Ecuador....but also, after that I forgot that it was my birthday, because I was so focused on other people! It was a great day, by far one of the best birthdays.

Also...this week I have witnessed a lot of opposition from the adversary. Satan is real, and he has angels and they take hold of a lot of the people's hearts, and this week, was kind of difficult because we could feel them. They obviously don't like that we are here.  We've had a couple experiences this week that I can say that I am afraid of the adversary, but I know that Christ lives, God has a plan for me, we have authority to be here and we are changing people's lives no matter how much they tell us we aren't doing anything. I may not be able to see all the fruits of my labors but we have a part in this plan, and we are just helping many people come unto to Christ who don't know where to find Him.

Sorry, I am running out of time, but I love my mission, I love to be hundred percernt focused on other people, and my capacity to love and serve others has grown and I get so excited to go out to work, when 6 months ago I dreaded it.  I have come along way and it has flown by so fast, but I still have so much to learn. Please always have me in your prayers and especially my investigators and converts that they will stay true and develope there own testimonies and repent...I hope this with all of my heart! Well, I love you and this church is true and this is his work!

Love,
Hermana Arnold

Catamayo...And More Success.

Note:  Due to the flakiness of the editor, I have gotten behind on the blog.  I will be posting older emails received over the past weeks, but here is the latest.  Hermana Arnold has been transferred to Catamayo, which is in the Mountains and is in the province of Loja.  It sounds like it is a bit safer than the big cities of Guayaquil and Machala.  Thus she has been able to take a few more pictures of the area without the fear of being labeled a tourist and thus becoming a target for muggings

So first off, I know that you may not understand the way things are done in my mission, every mission is different, but there are lot of interesting and cool things that we do.

Overlooking Catamayo

We have planners where we record everything we are going to do, we have our weekly plans and our weekly goals, we have these things called key indicatores, the key indicatores are lessons with members present, other lessons, references and contact, new investigatores, and also due to the circumstances of our mission we add other key indicatores like how many Books of Mormon we give out, how many people we have the reunion sacramental, how many people we invite to be baptized and these little papers called plan of assistance ( these little papers help people to remember to go to church and we have to have members with us in order to for people to be committed to going to church)

Every Tuesday and Friday we meet with our district and our zone to have a meeting, of what we are going to do to help our sectors. We always try to plan to have a certain amount of people go to church and then we make a goal as zone that this is amount of people we want to have by this Sunday.  (I hope this helps people understand a little better, what we do as a mission)

This Sunday, we had about 6 people come to church, and we have 2 baptismal dates for September. There names are Guiermo Lozano and Anthony Cueva. What is great is that there both in  part member families. We also have other investigators who came to church named Mauricio. He's 16 and his mom has been inactive for 25 years. His dad isn't a member...but they are all a really special family, and their next door neighbors are even more family, so if we work with them they can have support...and they all can be converted.

We have been working on Nancy Jaramillo and her family. Her parents have plans to be married the 25th of August!! and on the 30th, Nancy will be baptized with her parents. I know that this will come to pass, and I really am so very happy for them, and I know it is because of our faith and diligence and to help them...I hoping with all my heart!

This week I have learned the importance of charity, the spirit in companionship, and discipleship and that in order to love someone we need to be able to see the way they see, and we need to be able to forgive. At times it is hard for me to do this, but I know that because the Savior forgave, I need to forgive. The lord forgives me for my sins, thus I should forgive others for what kind of things they do to me.

I was reading a talk by Uchtdorf about how we need to enjoy the moments in our life, because this life is short, especially for me, on my mission. He said something about discipleship and he said, ''Let us resolve to follow the savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Spìrit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."


I know that this true, and if try to take day by day and try to be like Christ and serve others with all my heart, might, mind and strength, I know that my goals and my gifts can be realized and that I can take every good thing that I learned out of my mission and apply to life. I am really grateful for these experiences. There really is no other place that I'd rather be.

Until next week,

Hermana Arnold

Transfers and New Area

Well, looks like I had cambios, this always happens here in this mission, there is always a reason for every transfer or companionship, sometimes presidente has inspirations in his dreams on when and who and where will cambios be for the missionaries, seriously, I was so ready to stay in Machala another 2 or 3 months, my last Sunday there was the most productive and the ward council was actually easier to work with...this was the first time that I actually didnt want to leave, but when the Lord wants us to go, we go. I learned a lot about Humility and how we always need to have love be our motive when we do things, we also need to always have faith and act on the faith we have.

I am in Catamayo, a little province in Loja, the Sierras...I was so excited to be here, seriously! It is so beautiful. I will give you a little geograhical facts about Lajo. Catamayo, is about one hour away from Loja and it is on the border of Peru...Catamayo also a little closer to the costa, so the weather isn't nearly as cold as Loja or Cuenca, there are lots of high mountains and hills, so we are always walking up the hills. Also, to travel to the coast to the mountains, it take about 5 to 8 hours because they don't have freeways and they haven't quite figured out how to use dynamites to make the roads a little bigger to make the trip shorter..there is a view called buena vista, it is up on a hill where you can see the mountains and down below are long green grass fields, I am so blessed to be here, seriously!

So, the ward is not actually a ward, but a branch, and the capilla is really tiny! We are one companionship of hermanas among two other companionships of Elders, we are kind of outnumbered and this is my first time ever being in the same ward with Elders. Ya, our boundaries are all of Catamayo...its HUGE!

The people here are a little bit more tranquilo than the people in the coast, a lot more closed off, but the cool thing about the Sierras is that there are more married families. The bad thing about the Sierras is that people lean on the traditions of their fathers, which is catholicism, and so if they even think about changing thier religion, there parents or their grand parents are going to have it. It is incredible to talk to people on the streets and every other person I here say they're Catholic because of the traditions of their family...its something that they accept. I know that God is not a God of tradition, He is a God of commandments. This is definitely a new experience that I get to learn while I am here in Catamayo, Loja.

Actually when we got here, we didn't have a carpeta de area neither a program for August, so this was kind of a challenge, but with Hermana Cambal, she has experience opening up new sectors, it wasn't too bad. We actually were able to find people by talking to everyone and asking for references in every house that we enter. But this Sunday was surprisingly successful, I did not expect this much success. Church begins at 10 A.M and so we got up to wake up our investigators, and we talked to every single one and they all said that they could come. We actually invited one family to come with us 30 minutes before and they came with us. When we got to church, 9 people came to the reunion sacramental, that is the most I have ever had. The room for the reunion Sacramental is bien pequeño, this day there were more people that came to church and so there were seats outside of the sacrament hall, we didn't have anywhere to sit because there was no room, but we were happy that the numbers in the church were a lot better for the branch. I will write more next week about the investigators that we have.

Something that I learned this week is that our thoughts or impressions only come from two sources, Satan or Heavenly Father and always the temptations or inspirations begin with our thoughts, if we heed to the bad thoughts or actions or going to lead to maldad, but if we heed to good thoughts we are going to reap blessings and find that the spirit was speaking to us. The spirit is the only thing that can lead us to the right people and the right places, so we have to trust in the good thoughts so that we can have success. This week I have been trying to think more positively, because this is a sign of my faith...I think that is part of the reason why we had such good numbers this Sunday, but until next week, I am not going to let the cloud of doubt hinder the faith that I do have. Chou!

Transferred to Machala, Ecuador!

Note:  This email was short because we had spoken via Skype just the day before.  Rachel was transfered last week and is now in the city of Machala. 

Facts about Machala

1. Machala is 3 hours away from Guayaquil
2. There are a lot more pobre parts (poor) and the streets are really dusty
3. since we are in a field, there are a lot more trees, weeds, and weeds here are a lot prettier than they are in the US...
4. My sector is huge and we have to take tons of taxis

Here is the shpeel: when I arrived in Machala, the hermanas that were in my casa had their own programs for investigators (we put on the wall for the month of May our baptismal dates, the investigators have to attend 3 weeks of church before they are baptized) but they changed and so me and my companion have the other hermana's program for baptism, its a little weird, but it is inspired and we just go with it. hopefully I made sence, probably not.

We have 4 new fechas, all of whom i don't know really well: Jasmin who is 16, Johnny who I believe is 30, and Estefany who is 8 ( I am not really sure how she became a fecha because she is only 8 but okay)

Last week, I think I got a little trunkie, but I realized a way to get over it, its just to get over it and stop thinking about myself and just focus on one moment at a time. I have been praying every night to have charity for all those that I teach and just focus on the needs of the investigators, when i do that...the day passes by so fast. I really do like the area a lot, the people are a lot more open to hearing the gospel.

There are a lot of things that I need to work on, especially with the language, it is hard for me to understand the needs of my invesitgators but I know if I listen with the spirit, the spirit will be able to indicate to me what it is they need. one scripture that I read today was in Jacob 5:71-72 and it just talked about how the Lord worked with the servants in the vinyard, I know he is working along side me and directing me, I just need to have faith and let the spirit guide, so that I can rejoice with him in all the work that I have done for his children. Although trials pass, I have a testimony of the restored gospel and that Christ lives. I cant wait until I can see him one day. Love you all!