Elder Storm enjoying an ice cream treat with his companion on Christmas Eve
Elder Storm with a family they were teaching
Another good family that Cody loved
Elder Storm's first Baptism
Caught in a rain storm! Drenched!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
I saw him Standing Majestically JK
Monday January 10, 2010
Hey Fam-
Okay well it turns out that I did not go to Quenca. I was transferred to Malvinas, Guayaquil! Its soooo much hotter here lol. I am with Elder Garcia, he is my new companion and a district leader! He is a really hard worker, I am enjoying being here. So you will never guess who is in my zone.... ELDER KEABLES!!!! ya I totally saw him last Wednesday at our district meeting and me and him got to catch up a little bit, but man it was really good to see him! I will probably be seeing a lot more of him because he is in my zone! Soooo sweet, he speaks Spanish super well, not that I am surprised but it was just weird to hear him talk in spanish. My companion had told me the night before that I would probably see Elder Keables the next day and I flipped out, I was sooo excited! Then as soon as we walked in the gates of the church I saw him standing majestically in the doorway jk jk, and it was soo weird to talk to him at first, like I didn't even know what to say, I was in utter shock because it felt sooo surreal that he was actually there! man... so we talked about what was new in good ole chico, and just his plans after the mission and all that good stuff, I hope I can sit down and talk to him sometime for a long time so we can legitly catch up. How awesome is it that we are in the same zone though? gosh I am sooo pumped to be here in Guayaquil. I also saw Elder Vuinovic in the office on Tuesday, and he is lookin good, speaking fluent spanish of course, but ya you can tell he is a leader. And holy moly Elder Keables is a freaking good District Leader, I can honestly say he is the best one I have seen yet, (which isn't saying much but still). Gosh sooo crazy, I got butterflies in my stomach just talking about it... ahhhh. Anyway he invited me and my companion to go play ping-pong today at the stake center, I am not sure if we are going or not, but it would be awesome if we did! okay so about my new sector, Compared to naranjito. Its a little more dangerous, my companion has been robbed twice since he has been here. and he has been here for about 4 months or so. Actually really funny story, So this guy was like on drugs, probably crack or something, and he comes walking up to us and I move out of the way because I automatically knew something is wrong. So he targets my companion and starts kissing his arms and asking for money and has my companion in a death grip. My companion is trying to communicate with him telling him he doesn't have any money and that we are missionaries. But he keeps persisting and keeps kissing him and
bowing to him and all this other stuff. So finally I stepped in and pushed him away from my companion and he walked away. But it was sooo funny, I was laughing sooo hard. my companion was kinda mad that I was laughing so I had to hold back a little bit, but gosh it was sooo funny. Also we got 3 baptismal dates this week, which is awesome, we have 5 right now for the month of January. I would've sent pictures this week but I forgot my camera. Spanish is coming well, everything is going great, I am loving my mission, even though it is really hard, it is sooo rewarding, and sooo worth it. We have a companionship exchange on Tuesday and I have to take someone around a sector that I have no clue where anything is. Should be interesting. Maybe we will just have to sleep on the streets that night because I have no clue where the house is most of the time lol. Pray for me! lol, Well I love you all and miss you even more, send me some pictures of dads canoe, just the family in general or something because I am missing you all like crazy. okay love you guys
LOVE
Elder Storm
Okay so it was a quick email this morning because we had to do other things so me and my companion are here again, don't worry we are being obedient. So ya it is not the number 1 place to retire, I thought I was going to quenca but I am in Guayaquil. YA there is kinda a sewage lake, lots of trash, smells like poop lol anyway it is overall a pretty great area, its a little dangerous, but that's pretty normal for Ecuador. I did go play ping pong with elder Keables, it was really fun, he is the same guy when it comes to that stuff. We got to catch up a little more and it was awesome. So idk if you know but there is a
guy here that makes these awesome scripture cases, but they are kinda expensive. Don't worry I am not saying that I want them right now but maybe sometime in the future, because they are pretty cool. My area is impoverished, but generally speaking everywhere is impoverished here, their richest is like our poorest. My new companion is awesome, his name is Elder Garcia, he is from Lima Peru and ya he has been out here for 15 months. So he is not trunkee which is awesome. He is a hard worker though, and we are being obedient with exactness. The prayers definitely helped because I have an awesome trainer and I am in the same Zone as Elder Keables. So what the heck! Thanks for filling me in guys, Jordan is in Mexico? I had to hear that from Spencer, I gave Spencer his license last Wednesday so he officially
got it, finally. I think Spencer will be sending Sister keables a picture of us, but once again I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics yet. And I think most of those gray hairs were because of me mother. I am sorry I put you through sooo much stuff. alright well i love you very much,
LOVE
Cody
DAD:
what the heck dad? what are you doing on a ladder? man you never learn do you! gosh I told you to be safe while I was gone, what good is that kayak and canoe gonna do you if you cant even paddle! alright enough of that. DAD I really miss being able to work with you, when I am out there and sweating working hard it reminds me of construction, waking up early and working all day is super rewarding, I miss construction though. Gosh I promise if you spent a week down here you would be grateful for that cold, I know that I will never take it for granted, gosh I miss it. Just pray that I get sent to quenca or loja because it is a bit colder down there. dad I am grateful for your support, I look up to you a ton, you have made me who I am today. you have taught me how to work hard, and that has really paid off here on
the mission, you and mom have been such great examples to me and have shaped me into a missionary. I know you will probably say "I told you so" but I wish I would have prepared more, because i don't think I did hardly at all. Read some of the scriptures, but not much else. I am sooo grateful that you are my father, and I promise after my mission we are going to do tons of kayaking trips and now canoeing trips!
love
Cody
Hey Fam-
Okay well it turns out that I did not go to Quenca. I was transferred to Malvinas, Guayaquil! Its soooo much hotter here lol. I am with Elder Garcia, he is my new companion and a district leader! He is a really hard worker, I am enjoying being here. So you will never guess who is in my zone.... ELDER KEABLES!!!! ya I totally saw him last Wednesday at our district meeting and me and him got to catch up a little bit, but man it was really good to see him! I will probably be seeing a lot more of him because he is in my zone! Soooo sweet, he speaks Spanish super well, not that I am surprised but it was just weird to hear him talk in spanish. My companion had told me the night before that I would probably see Elder Keables the next day and I flipped out, I was sooo excited! Then as soon as we walked in the gates of the church I saw him standing majestically in the doorway jk jk, and it was soo weird to talk to him at first, like I didn't even know what to say, I was in utter shock because it felt sooo surreal that he was actually there! man... so we talked about what was new in good ole chico, and just his plans after the mission and all that good stuff, I hope I can sit down and talk to him sometime for a long time so we can legitly catch up. How awesome is it that we are in the same zone though? gosh I am sooo pumped to be here in Guayaquil. I also saw Elder Vuinovic in the office on Tuesday, and he is lookin good, speaking fluent spanish of course, but ya you can tell he is a leader. And holy moly Elder Keables is a freaking good District Leader, I can honestly say he is the best one I have seen yet, (which isn't saying much but still). Gosh sooo crazy, I got butterflies in my stomach just talking about it... ahhhh. Anyway he invited me and my companion to go play ping-pong today at the stake center, I am not sure if we are going or not, but it would be awesome if we did! okay so about my new sector, Compared to naranjito. Its a little more dangerous, my companion has been robbed twice since he has been here. and he has been here for about 4 months or so. Actually really funny story, So this guy was like on drugs, probably crack or something, and he comes walking up to us and I move out of the way because I automatically knew something is wrong. So he targets my companion and starts kissing his arms and asking for money and has my companion in a death grip. My companion is trying to communicate with him telling him he doesn't have any money and that we are missionaries. But he keeps persisting and keeps kissing him and
bowing to him and all this other stuff. So finally I stepped in and pushed him away from my companion and he walked away. But it was sooo funny, I was laughing sooo hard. my companion was kinda mad that I was laughing so I had to hold back a little bit, but gosh it was sooo funny. Also we got 3 baptismal dates this week, which is awesome, we have 5 right now for the month of January. I would've sent pictures this week but I forgot my camera. Spanish is coming well, everything is going great, I am loving my mission, even though it is really hard, it is sooo rewarding, and sooo worth it. We have a companionship exchange on Tuesday and I have to take someone around a sector that I have no clue where anything is. Should be interesting. Maybe we will just have to sleep on the streets that night because I have no clue where the house is most of the time lol. Pray for me! lol, Well I love you all and miss you even more, send me some pictures of dads canoe, just the family in general or something because I am missing you all like crazy. okay love you guys
LOVE
Elder Storm
Okay so it was a quick email this morning because we had to do other things so me and my companion are here again, don't worry we are being obedient. So ya it is not the number 1 place to retire, I thought I was going to quenca but I am in Guayaquil. YA there is kinda a sewage lake, lots of trash, smells like poop lol anyway it is overall a pretty great area, its a little dangerous, but that's pretty normal for Ecuador. I did go play ping pong with elder Keables, it was really fun, he is the same guy when it comes to that stuff. We got to catch up a little more and it was awesome. So idk if you know but there is a
guy here that makes these awesome scripture cases, but they are kinda expensive. Don't worry I am not saying that I want them right now but maybe sometime in the future, because they are pretty cool. My area is impoverished, but generally speaking everywhere is impoverished here, their richest is like our poorest. My new companion is awesome, his name is Elder Garcia, he is from Lima Peru and ya he has been out here for 15 months. So he is not trunkee which is awesome. He is a hard worker though, and we are being obedient with exactness. The prayers definitely helped because I have an awesome trainer and I am in the same Zone as Elder Keables. So what the heck! Thanks for filling me in guys, Jordan is in Mexico? I had to hear that from Spencer, I gave Spencer his license last Wednesday so he officially
got it, finally. I think Spencer will be sending Sister keables a picture of us, but once again I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics yet. And I think most of those gray hairs were because of me mother. I am sorry I put you through sooo much stuff. alright well i love you very much,
LOVE
Cody
DAD:
what the heck dad? what are you doing on a ladder? man you never learn do you! gosh I told you to be safe while I was gone, what good is that kayak and canoe gonna do you if you cant even paddle! alright enough of that. DAD I really miss being able to work with you, when I am out there and sweating working hard it reminds me of construction, waking up early and working all day is super rewarding, I miss construction though. Gosh I promise if you spent a week down here you would be grateful for that cold, I know that I will never take it for granted, gosh I miss it. Just pray that I get sent to quenca or loja because it is a bit colder down there. dad I am grateful for your support, I look up to you a ton, you have made me who I am today. you have taught me how to work hard, and that has really paid off here on
the mission, you and mom have been such great examples to me and have shaped me into a missionary. I know you will probably say "I told you so" but I wish I would have prepared more, because i don't think I did hardly at all. Read some of the scriptures, but not much else. I am sooo grateful that you are my father, and I promise after my mission we are going to do tons of kayaking trips and now canoeing trips!
love
Cody
I am loving the Mission
Monday January 3, 2010
Hey
This week has been absolutely insane... I don't know where to start but on Tuesday we did a companionship exchange, me and Elder Church, two gringos that don't speak a lick of English were together, because our
companions thought it would be a good idea. Apparently we are not supposed to do that but i didn't know that at the time. It actually wasn't bad, we worked and it went well. The rest of the week my companion had no desire to work, he was absolutely and completely trunkee. I could not get him to work at all Wednesday, or Thursday. He just wanted to sleep, it was really hard. Anyway he and elder Gonzalez had a great idea of spending New Years together in a Sector called Triunfo. Anyway we went there Friday afternoon, and spent the night.
Its a bummer...my companion and one of the other companions did some things that shouldn't have and are now being sent home. So anyway, right now I am companions with one of the Zone leaders, Elder Richins. He is suuuchhhh a good missionary, like we got a baptism date yesterday from somebody we talked to for
the first time! Anyway he is a super great example to me and he loves to be absolutely obedient, which is absolutely awesome! Anyway he was companions with Elder Vuinovic for a while, that is Kyle's friend! So
ya small world. I found out that I will see Spencer's in Zone Conferences in January sometime! So that is super super exciting!!!! I cannot wait, I will be sure to take lots of pictures. But as far as the language goes, I speak more than I understand, because everyone speaks soooo fast down here, but little by little I am understanding and speaking more. I did by the jersey, it is awesome! Thanks for depositing the money. Well if dad engineered the balloon drop I am sure it was fabulous! That's sooo sweet that Taylor is taking out his endowments! I am sure he will love that experience and with Jordan escorting him that will be awesome! I am really finding it hard to believe the cold is overrated, the heat is waaaayyyyy more overated, atleast you can do something about the cold. I cant do anything to prevent me from sweating lol. mom I am glad you
are finally seeing procrastination as a gift, haha jk but seriously I know that the way I am has made this a lot easier, everyone always asks me "so let me guess, you are hating the mission right now" but actually its quite the opposite, I am in one of the poorest places I have ever seen in my life, and I am completely content, and I do stress about the language at times, but overall I have just put it in the lords hands, he will bless me with the gift of tongues, he already has, and I know if I am putting forth my best effort, the spirit will do the rest, if people really want the gospel they will be prompted by the spirit to listen to what we have to say and be baptized. mom I am not going to lie, I have thought about coming home a few times, I am loving the mission, but it is no cake walk. I come home so tired at night that during my nightly prayers I will fall asleep and wake up a half hour later on my knees lol. But I know that through the trial of my faith and devotion to Heavenly Father, he will deliver me from my afflictions. So anyway tomorrow me and Elder Richins are going to Guayaquil so I can recieve my new companion! so I am pretty stoked to be able to get an awesome trainer! I hope all is well with you guys, I hope that things have slowed down a little bit at work and that you
are able to relax a bit more, anyway love you all, I wish you the best, and I will talk to you next week!
LOVE
Elder Storm
Hey
This week has been absolutely insane... I don't know where to start but on Tuesday we did a companionship exchange, me and Elder Church, two gringos that don't speak a lick of English were together, because our
companions thought it would be a good idea. Apparently we are not supposed to do that but i didn't know that at the time. It actually wasn't bad, we worked and it went well. The rest of the week my companion had no desire to work, he was absolutely and completely trunkee. I could not get him to work at all Wednesday, or Thursday. He just wanted to sleep, it was really hard. Anyway he and elder Gonzalez had a great idea of spending New Years together in a Sector called Triunfo. Anyway we went there Friday afternoon, and spent the night.
Its a bummer...my companion and one of the other companions did some things that shouldn't have and are now being sent home. So anyway, right now I am companions with one of the Zone leaders, Elder Richins. He is suuuchhhh a good missionary, like we got a baptism date yesterday from somebody we talked to for
the first time! Anyway he is a super great example to me and he loves to be absolutely obedient, which is absolutely awesome! Anyway he was companions with Elder Vuinovic for a while, that is Kyle's friend! So
ya small world. I found out that I will see Spencer's in Zone Conferences in January sometime! So that is super super exciting!!!! I cannot wait, I will be sure to take lots of pictures. But as far as the language goes, I speak more than I understand, because everyone speaks soooo fast down here, but little by little I am understanding and speaking more. I did by the jersey, it is awesome! Thanks for depositing the money. Well if dad engineered the balloon drop I am sure it was fabulous! That's sooo sweet that Taylor is taking out his endowments! I am sure he will love that experience and with Jordan escorting him that will be awesome! I am really finding it hard to believe the cold is overrated, the heat is waaaayyyyy more overated, atleast you can do something about the cold. I cant do anything to prevent me from sweating lol. mom I am glad you
are finally seeing procrastination as a gift, haha jk but seriously I know that the way I am has made this a lot easier, everyone always asks me "so let me guess, you are hating the mission right now" but actually its quite the opposite, I am in one of the poorest places I have ever seen in my life, and I am completely content, and I do stress about the language at times, but overall I have just put it in the lords hands, he will bless me with the gift of tongues, he already has, and I know if I am putting forth my best effort, the spirit will do the rest, if people really want the gospel they will be prompted by the spirit to listen to what we have to say and be baptized. mom I am not going to lie, I have thought about coming home a few times, I am loving the mission, but it is no cake walk. I come home so tired at night that during my nightly prayers I will fall asleep and wake up a half hour later on my knees lol. But I know that through the trial of my faith and devotion to Heavenly Father, he will deliver me from my afflictions. So anyway tomorrow me and Elder Richins are going to Guayaquil so I can recieve my new companion! so I am pretty stoked to be able to get an awesome trainer! I hope all is well with you guys, I hope that things have slowed down a little bit at work and that you
are able to relax a bit more, anyway love you all, I wish you the best, and I will talk to you next week!
LOVE
Elder Storm
Obedience to exactness
December 20, 2010
Hey Fam!
Ya I got the news about Taylors mission call, that is sooooooo freaking sweet, Argentina Sustencia is what I think I heard! The video was a little choppy, but its all good. Man he is gonna love South America, I don't even think it is that hot in Argentina so he will like that. Its hotter than heck right now, we get rain and then the sun comes out and just makes like a steam pot out of this little town of naranjita. Soooo sick that Taylor got his calll, AHhh it makes me sooo happy and excited for him, Argentina is going to be so awesome. Um ya pday is usually on Monday in the mission from what I know so good thing you wrote! I have been adjusting a lot, but it has been soooo awesome, I love the field mom, honestly 100x better than Peru CCM. like almost a night and day difference. Anyway, the Spanish is coming slowly but surely, I comprehend more and more everyday, speaking is slower but I am getting the hang of teaching. We have two baptisms on Christmas which is awesome. Its the parents in the Loor Family, honestly their family reminds me of ours when we were investigating the church, crazy awesome though. they have 3 kids, two girls one boy and the girl has already been baptized, but the parents weren't because they had to be married first, But that is happening this Thursday in another town, so we get to go to that as well! Oh we just got two more baptisms the other day. it is An elderly couple, the Ibarras, and we taught them the first lesson, came back and they wanted to be baptized. I was beyond excited when I heard that! Gosh its awesome finding people that just want it right away. Our apartment is normal size I think. it has two bedrooms and a kitchen and a bathroom. prior to popular belief we do not have to wash our clothes in a bucket, and we have running water 24/7. I have heard a lot of rumors that have not come true so far, I don't know where people get some of this stuff. Ya we have a phone in our apartment so we will be able to call from there, idk where to buy a calling card, but I will try to figure it out today... oh and I wanna send you guys some stuff but I heard it is like 10 bucks for a pound, so idk you tell me, it will be a late Christmas gift or something. Anyway, your prayers are helping me because I am absolutely loving every part of Ecuador, oh and it is just me and my companion covering the whole city of naranjita so ya it is just the two of us in our Apt. I never thought people would, but they have been having problems saying my name, it comes out like this "ehhstern" but its all good, I probably don't pronounce anything correctly in Spanish lol. the town is pretty normal, well for South America, tons of businesses and most of them sell the same thing, kinda like china town in San Fransisco. I had a weird/cool experience this last week, we went to a members home to eat lunch and he had just killed on of his pigs. So he was showing us the guts and cuts and it interesting. Then he also owns chickens and they were slaughtering two hundred that day, another member works for him and he is an awesome guy, kinda like a brother wagner latino version. Anyway he was killing and boiling the chickens and my companion thought it would be a good experience for me to see how it is done, so Brother Milanda brings one of the chickens to me and asked if I wanted to kill it. I said sure and so he gave me the knife and told me to stick it through its neck. So I did so, kinda felt weird but whatever. And then I pulled out the knife which was promptly followed by a stream of blood that was then splattered all over my shirt. He started laughing and so did my companion. Luckily I had some "tide to go" so it was all good for the rest of the day, and all this happened before we ate lunch, appetizing huh? haha ya I know. So more of my daily schedule is that we study until 11 in the morning and then go out and teach the rest of the day, we very rarely dont have another appt to go to which is nice. The members are always very giving, and we never leave a home without eating or drinking something. the food we eat is soooooooo much better than the food in Peru, omg like seriously love it! eat lots of rice, but I am used to it by now, I have only had one meal I didnt like and that was after the chicken blood experience, I think we ate some weird part of a pig, I am not really sure. I am excited about the CDs you are making, I want some soundtracks to movies, like tarzan and prince of Persia, maybe bravehart idk but soundtracks are awesome as long as they are either disney or instrumental.. Obedience with exactness! We only have to walk about a couple minutes to get to the chapel, its literally right around the corner from our apt. I do get homesick on pdays but that is completely normal. Gosh I just love this work, I love you guys sooo much!
Alright well I gotta write the president, but talk to you on saturday!
love
Elder Cody Storm
In case you were wondering...I am in the mission field right NOW!
December 16, 2010
Hey Familia!
Elder Storm here reporting from a local place that has internet, called a cyber. In case you were wondering I am totally in the mission field right now, and it is awesome. I am in a place called naranjito and it is about 1:30 outside Guayaquil. Everything is absolutely lovely, it has been off and on rain since I got here which is nice because it makes it feel more christmassy, Besides the fact that I am sweating like a pig 24/7 lol. Anywho me and my companion cover the whole town by ourselves. I have no idea where we are or where we are going most of the time, but esta bien. I love you dad, I appreciate you taking time to email me, it means a whole lot and it brought a huge smile to my face. Anyway, my companions name is Elder Montoya, and he is from Trujillo Peru. He has been out for about 23 months so I wont have him for very long, but you can definitely tell he knows what he is doing. I think possibly I left my camera and my english scriptures in the mission home, so I wont be sending pictures this week but I should get it by next week. So we left for the airport at about 6:30 in the morning on Tuesday, they said that we werent able to call anyone, which stinks but hey in 9 days I will be talking to you guys!!! We got to the airport and realized that we were only allowed 33 kilos of weight combined in both our bags. I was at about 46 kilos so we were going to have to pay some big overages. Luckily the church came to the rescue, and paid, for a second there I thought I was going to have to dump some stuff. We finally got on the plane, and we were all soooo nervous, I wanted to sleep but I definitely could not sleep at all, sooo excited/nervous. The flight was about 2 hours, and when I saw Ecuador for the first time, I was at ease. It is about 10x nicer than peru, so I am super happy. as we were walking through the airport I was thinking, ahh the humidity isnt that bad, I can definitely handle this. Then we saw the mission President and his APs. He is a super nice guy, automatically called me elder Tormenta, which I have been getting used to because almost everyone calls me that down here. We all piled into a van and headed towards the mission office. We had a quick lunch and then we had an orientation meeting, pretty much a review of what we learned in the CCM. After we got to go to the temple which is like right across the street from the mission office. It was sooo awesome, I absolutely love this temple, talk about beautiful. After I took some pictures in front of the temple, and then people just started going their separate ways, Sooooo weird to be by myself with my companion, that is probably the weirdest part actually. I am so used to being able to be with a bunch of guys, not used to it at all. We spent the night in the mission home and in the morning left on a bus to my Sector. naranjita is sorta jungle like, there is banana trees and pineapple trees everywhere. Lots of people live in houses made out of bamboo. We actually taught a lesson to a family in a bamboo house. I am loving it so far though. it is sooo sweet. Yes it is hard work, but I can handle it. I have already noticed my spanish improving since I got here so that is good. Today is pretty chillax though, we did service in the morning from about 10:30 to 12:30, ate lunch and now we are emailing, its a mini-pday. I have some unfortunate news however, I have not yet seen spencer, I was sooo hoping I would but it didnt happen, I have heard from a number of elders that he is a stud, and everyone thinks he is sooo cool. (typical of spencer haha) anyway I hope I get to see him soon, talk about an epic reunion, chariots of fire kinda stuff right there. Anyway didnt get your packages, but an elder said he had mail for me so they are probably in there! I will probably get them early next week is what my companion said. Oh and we already have two baptisms lined up for the 25th! talk about getting my feet wet in a hurry (no pun intended). Anywho, family, I love you guys, think about each one of you everyday, no idea what a great influence you are on me, your emails are awesome. you guys mean the world to me, please stay safe and dont get hurt, idk why I always worry about that for some reason. All is well with me though, no need to worry, the Lord is on my side and I am ready to baptize some people and bring them to Christ!
oh and how weird is that that it is only gonna be the 4 of you for christmas? I know I would be weirded out, and dad I am excited to see this canoe of yours, be sure to send pictures of this masterpiece.! dont worry I wont open the packages until Christmas! okay love you guys, peace out
LOVE
Elder Tormenta
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Why wouldn't they want us to baptize the whole city of Guayquil?
December 7, 2010
HEY FAM!
So this week has been pretty great! It has absolutely flown by, like crazy fast! I cannot believe i am going to be entering the field in like a week! So crazy to think about not being in the CCM! I am sure this will be a really fast week as well. So this is what I am hoping
for: Spencer is going to be waiting at the airport to pick me up with the president and then on the way to the mission home he will say "oh by the way this is your new companion, Elder Keables" and then we will just wreck Guayaquil and baptize the whole town... Lets just put it this way, ya know the pictures in the back of the Book of Mormon? There will be another one for Me and Elder Keables. I am thoroughly convinced that this is what is going to happen, I mean it makes the most sense, why wouldn't they want us to baptize the whole city of Guayaquil? Anyway I would really like an update on Taylor's progress in the mission papers, has he sent them in? has he got his call and you guys just aren't telling me? WHAT IS THE DEAL??? Proselyting was awesome this week though. We went to a pretty impoverished area, ended up proselyting in somewhat of a business area. I was really worried because my companion was soo nervous about teaching, and he was having a rough time in the practices that we do here in the CCM. So I was really worried because I don't speak Spanish at all! well I do but not enough to handle myself in all situations. So we are on the street and I pointed to someone I thought we should contact. We walked up, introduced ourselves, and my companion did awesome! he really stepped up and it was such a relief! We made so many good contacts, and taught 5 lessons before lunch. We taught one guy who I thought was really receptive. His name was Napoleon, and he was an elderly man, probably late 60s and he owned a fruit stand on the street! So we walked up to him and he wasn't overly excited at first. he was just kinda talking to us to be polite I think. I could definitely read his body language. But we persevered and ended up teaching him the whole first lesson. He wasn't overly excited about it until we started talking about Joseph Smith. We told him the story, and I recited the first vision. When i recited the first vision he sparked right up! It was almost a night and day difference between the man that we started talking to. He started talking about how he was having a really hard time because he lives alone, his kids live in the United States and his wife died. He said that he felt like god had left him alone. I shared with him a scripture in D&C 122:7-9 about trials. He really loved this scripture. We committed him to pray, read the Book of Mormon, and we set up an appointment for the other missionaries to follow up with him. Right when we were leaving he was already starting to read the Book of Mormon. This experience was sooo motivating. So crazy how one street contact can change my whole perspective. I know without a doubt that he is going to pray and know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I cannot wait to get out in the field so when I make contacts like this one, I will be able to follow up with them. I also had a pretty rare, but awesome opportunity this Saturday
also. We started talking to this group of guys and all of them spoke perfect English! I was so shocked, I kept talking in Spanish but then realized that they were talking in English. So I taught them a short lesson in English, and when I got done, he told me he was a pastor, and that he was christian, but didn't like the Mormons. So maybe not as successful of a contact, but I just thought it was awesome that I got to speak English lol. After lunch we didn't have too much success though. It seemed like that whole area just kinda shut down. We did
talk to one 23 year old named felipé. He was washing his taxi when we walked up to him, and as soon as he saw us he started smiling. I didn't know whether he was just like "oh shoot here they come again" or if he was happy to see us! But it turns out he was happy to see us.
Apparently some other missionaries had taught him before, but he hadn't gotten baptized, but always really liked the missionaries. We talked to him shortly about the plan of salvation, And he said that he would like to take the missionary discussions again. So we filled out a reference card and he said that he was going to try to read his book of Mormon again. Overall he seemed pretty excited about this week. Overall this week has been awesome, I absolutely loved proselyting on Saturday, and it was just awesome all around! I love my companion, he is like a little brother to me. he is always Happy it seems like. such an inspiration to me because he is always positive. Even though I don't know Spanish that well I am always keeping him entertained somehow. And the good part is he is going to my mission! so I will get to see him more and more! which will be awesome! cannot wait, you have no idea how anxious I am to enter the field! ahhhh it seems so close but soooo far! Well I am going to go get ready for the temple. Love you guys and I miss you soooooooo much, you have no idea. The thought of you guys watching Christmas vacation together makes me sooo happy. alright peace out for now.
Love you
Elder Storm
HEY FAM!
So this week has been pretty great! It has absolutely flown by, like crazy fast! I cannot believe i am going to be entering the field in like a week! So crazy to think about not being in the CCM! I am sure this will be a really fast week as well. So this is what I am hoping
for: Spencer is going to be waiting at the airport to pick me up with the president and then on the way to the mission home he will say "oh by the way this is your new companion, Elder Keables" and then we will just wreck Guayaquil and baptize the whole town... Lets just put it this way, ya know the pictures in the back of the Book of Mormon? There will be another one for Me and Elder Keables. I am thoroughly convinced that this is what is going to happen, I mean it makes the most sense, why wouldn't they want us to baptize the whole city of Guayaquil? Anyway I would really like an update on Taylor's progress in the mission papers, has he sent them in? has he got his call and you guys just aren't telling me? WHAT IS THE DEAL??? Proselyting was awesome this week though. We went to a pretty impoverished area, ended up proselyting in somewhat of a business area. I was really worried because my companion was soo nervous about teaching, and he was having a rough time in the practices that we do here in the CCM. So I was really worried because I don't speak Spanish at all! well I do but not enough to handle myself in all situations. So we are on the street and I pointed to someone I thought we should contact. We walked up, introduced ourselves, and my companion did awesome! he really stepped up and it was such a relief! We made so many good contacts, and taught 5 lessons before lunch. We taught one guy who I thought was really receptive. His name was Napoleon, and he was an elderly man, probably late 60s and he owned a fruit stand on the street! So we walked up to him and he wasn't overly excited at first. he was just kinda talking to us to be polite I think. I could definitely read his body language. But we persevered and ended up teaching him the whole first lesson. He wasn't overly excited about it until we started talking about Joseph Smith. We told him the story, and I recited the first vision. When i recited the first vision he sparked right up! It was almost a night and day difference between the man that we started talking to. He started talking about how he was having a really hard time because he lives alone, his kids live in the United States and his wife died. He said that he felt like god had left him alone. I shared with him a scripture in D&C 122:7-9 about trials. He really loved this scripture. We committed him to pray, read the Book of Mormon, and we set up an appointment for the other missionaries to follow up with him. Right when we were leaving he was already starting to read the Book of Mormon. This experience was sooo motivating. So crazy how one street contact can change my whole perspective. I know without a doubt that he is going to pray and know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I cannot wait to get out in the field so when I make contacts like this one, I will be able to follow up with them. I also had a pretty rare, but awesome opportunity this Saturday
also. We started talking to this group of guys and all of them spoke perfect English! I was so shocked, I kept talking in Spanish but then realized that they were talking in English. So I taught them a short lesson in English, and when I got done, he told me he was a pastor, and that he was christian, but didn't like the Mormons. So maybe not as successful of a contact, but I just thought it was awesome that I got to speak English lol. After lunch we didn't have too much success though. It seemed like that whole area just kinda shut down. We did
talk to one 23 year old named felipé. He was washing his taxi when we walked up to him, and as soon as he saw us he started smiling. I didn't know whether he was just like "oh shoot here they come again" or if he was happy to see us! But it turns out he was happy to see us.
Apparently some other missionaries had taught him before, but he hadn't gotten baptized, but always really liked the missionaries. We talked to him shortly about the plan of salvation, And he said that he would like to take the missionary discussions again. So we filled out a reference card and he said that he was going to try to read his book of Mormon again. Overall he seemed pretty excited about this week. Overall this week has been awesome, I absolutely loved proselyting on Saturday, and it was just awesome all around! I love my companion, he is like a little brother to me. he is always Happy it seems like. such an inspiration to me because he is always positive. Even though I don't know Spanish that well I am always keeping him entertained somehow. And the good part is he is going to my mission! so I will get to see him more and more! which will be awesome! cannot wait, you have no idea how anxious I am to enter the field! ahhhh it seems so close but soooo far! Well I am going to go get ready for the temple. Love you guys and I miss you soooooooo much, you have no idea. The thought of you guys watching Christmas vacation together makes me sooo happy. alright peace out for now.
Love you
Elder Storm
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I have a New Companion...
December 1, 2010
Don't fret about the emails, I will email every week no matter what, you are my mom for crying out loud! Ya thanksgiving woulda been a lot harder but they actually had somewhat of a thanksgiving dinner so that made it a lot better, I ate so much, went back for thirds, 6 slices of pie, and I still haven't gained a pound lol. Wow mom good job at work, I shouldn´t be surprised though, you are amazing at working with people. Did you give them hugs to seal the deal? just wondering. Gosh that really stinks that you have to work sooo much during Christmas time, I don't know how you do it, just a super mom or something. I don't
even care what is in the packages, it is awesome just getting anything from home, did you just cake on the Jesus stickers? lol. That is awesome though, I cannot wait to see the look on my companions face! Maybe it will be Spencer? haha I wont get my hopes up but that would
beeee sooooo swwwweeeeet!!!! ya that is definitely one thing I have noticed is that the Latins don't have many ties. but I gave my last companion a couple, and will
probably end up giving this one a couple as well. Speaking of which, my new companions name is Elder Garcia, he is from Guatemala, and he is about 4'10" I think, not quite sure but somewhere around there. He is awesome though, he is always happy, which makes me happy as well. Ya I miss Taylor a lot as well, man me and that kid spent like everyday together, its like being addicted to something,haha when you go cold turkey its a really hard adjustment. haha what is his progress on the mission papers? does he have his call? what is the news! I knew dad would move onto something sooner or later, but luckily he didn't have to go
far. Gosh I miss him so much, I miss you all soo much. I thought about the mental image of Christmas time the other day and got homesick. All the Christmas decorations up, lights on the tree and outside, a fire going with rain outside. I mean you cant get much better than that right? I am in mid 70s weather, where it is partly smoggy everyday lol, jk i love it in Peru, its awesome. Some good spiritual experiences i have had have been when I am teaching in The TRC or something like that. Bearing testimony of the truthfulness strengthens my testimony every time. I love bearing testimony because I feel so good after I do it. That is awesome that they are making dollhouses for the nieces. Ya I know I cannot wait to call you guys either, it is going to be awesome, to bad I didn't get to talk to you
guys that much. actually it was only you and halfway dad... I wonder if I will be able to call when I fly to Ecuador... questions questions. The mission pres and his wife are good, He seems a little on the stern side but his wife is just like the grandma everyone wants. They are both truly inspired individuals, and you can definitely tell. The new companion is good though, he has a hard time teaching, but I was the same way when I first started, he will be a good missionary though. The tour was amazing, I didn't get any good pictures with me in them really but just of the sites and they are awesome, look like Spain and Europe, like huge cathedrals and stuff. I bought a really cool beanie, backpack and sweatshirt, and it all cost about 25 bucks, not bad eh? that's the advantage of being able to barder. I haven't written Jake, but I don't know his address either. I would like to write him and Brian, and kyle. I miss the snot out of you also mother. I really really really really really miss your faces, and just ahh you guys are awesome I really wish I would have taken advantage of it more when
I was back home (stupid me) but I definitely know how lucky I have it in the old USA and I will never forget that, I miss you all so much. Just know as often as you think of my i think of you double that! you guys are awesome. Keep the emails coming, they are always putting a smile on my face. welllllll hasta luego fam and friends
LOVE
Elder Tormenta
Don't fret about the emails, I will email every week no matter what, you are my mom for crying out loud! Ya thanksgiving woulda been a lot harder but they actually had somewhat of a thanksgiving dinner so that made it a lot better, I ate so much, went back for thirds, 6 slices of pie, and I still haven't gained a pound lol. Wow mom good job at work, I shouldn´t be surprised though, you are amazing at working with people. Did you give them hugs to seal the deal? just wondering. Gosh that really stinks that you have to work sooo much during Christmas time, I don't know how you do it, just a super mom or something. I don't
even care what is in the packages, it is awesome just getting anything from home, did you just cake on the Jesus stickers? lol. That is awesome though, I cannot wait to see the look on my companions face! Maybe it will be Spencer? haha I wont get my hopes up but that would
beeee sooooo swwwweeeeet!!!! ya that is definitely one thing I have noticed is that the Latins don't have many ties. but I gave my last companion a couple, and will
probably end up giving this one a couple as well. Speaking of which, my new companions name is Elder Garcia, he is from Guatemala, and he is about 4'10" I think, not quite sure but somewhere around there. He is awesome though, he is always happy, which makes me happy as well. Ya I miss Taylor a lot as well, man me and that kid spent like everyday together, its like being addicted to something,haha when you go cold turkey its a really hard adjustment. haha what is his progress on the mission papers? does he have his call? what is the news! I knew dad would move onto something sooner or later, but luckily he didn't have to go
far. Gosh I miss him so much, I miss you all soo much. I thought about the mental image of Christmas time the other day and got homesick. All the Christmas decorations up, lights on the tree and outside, a fire going with rain outside. I mean you cant get much better than that right? I am in mid 70s weather, where it is partly smoggy everyday lol, jk i love it in Peru, its awesome. Some good spiritual experiences i have had have been when I am teaching in The TRC or something like that. Bearing testimony of the truthfulness strengthens my testimony every time. I love bearing testimony because I feel so good after I do it. That is awesome that they are making dollhouses for the nieces. Ya I know I cannot wait to call you guys either, it is going to be awesome, to bad I didn't get to talk to you
guys that much. actually it was only you and halfway dad... I wonder if I will be able to call when I fly to Ecuador... questions questions. The mission pres and his wife are good, He seems a little on the stern side but his wife is just like the grandma everyone wants. They are both truly inspired individuals, and you can definitely tell. The new companion is good though, he has a hard time teaching, but I was the same way when I first started, he will be a good missionary though. The tour was amazing, I didn't get any good pictures with me in them really but just of the sites and they are awesome, look like Spain and Europe, like huge cathedrals and stuff. I bought a really cool beanie, backpack and sweatshirt, and it all cost about 25 bucks, not bad eh? that's the advantage of being able to barder. I haven't written Jake, but I don't know his address either. I would like to write him and Brian, and kyle. I miss the snot out of you also mother. I really really really really really miss your faces, and just ahh you guys are awesome I really wish I would have taken advantage of it more when
I was back home (stupid me) but I definitely know how lucky I have it in the old USA and I will never forget that, I miss you all so much. Just know as often as you think of my i think of you double that! you guys are awesome. Keep the emails coming, they are always putting a smile on my face. welllllll hasta luego fam and friends
LOVE
Elder Tormenta
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