Week 65

Well, the time has finally come and we were finally able to have the baptism of Mario. I'm super happy that he was able to take that step in his life and be an example for the rest of his family! I really think we might be able to work a little bit better with his wife and kids now and I hope that they can follow his example as well! I know that he will be able to see so many blessings in his life and will be able to bless them all as he receives the Priesthood :) the Branch here has really been struggling but we are really trying to help them out so that the people that we baptize don't just fall away. 

It was a little bit hard this last week as I was sick for 3 days and stuck in my bed. I had a HUGE migraine and my stomach wasn't doing too well! I was really happy to get up and go out and work this past weekend! Today we all got together as a District in the Chapel and played some UNO and basketball. It was really fun, especially since 2 Sister Missionaries in my District are ending their missions this week! So far as a district leader 5 missionaries have gone home in my district. 

We have changes this week and I'm excited to see where the next chapter of my mission will be! Well, I'm sorry there isn't too much to write but everything here is good! I'm just trying to give it my all and have fun (which we do often) so hopefully this week will be better and be a good one! Have a great week and I hope that you like the pictures :) 

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

The Baptism of Mario with his family :)

They gave us a pig testicle in our soups so
Elder Lopez took it out when they weren't looking - haha!

On Tuesday we went and helped sand and paint
a house so there is my proof of hard work ;)

Week 64

So, the good news is that I went to the doctor but the bad news is that I have to come home.... Haha just kidding! I still don't know what is going on in my body and only have more pain pills to take for it. It hurts but I guess it's time to "man up" and keep on working! I know that if I am strong and depend on the Lord, he will strenghten me enough to be able to carry the load that I have been given. Easier said than done but now its my turn to walk the walk, not just talk the talk :) 

But on a better note, we have another Baptism this week so thats good :) His name is Mario Z and he really is so awesome!! He's the only one out of his whole family that has the desire to get baptized. He really understands what we teach him. Yesterday when he ended our lesson with a prayer he said that he just wants to get baptized so that he can receive the Priesthood and go out and preach the Gospel and Baptize the People who need help. It was pretty awesome, not going to lie :) We are really trying to help out his family more and encourage him to help prepare his family so that one day they can make the same decision that he is going to make so that he can baptize them. 

I really have learned here that sometimes we just have to be patient and increase our diligence as we are not on our time, we are on the Lords time. I know that he will be a really strong member and that as he obtains the Priesthood he will be able to bless his family and protect them from Satan and all the influences of this world! 

I know that the work we do as Missionaries truly is the work of the Lord! I know that through our sacrifices our families and loved ones truly do recieve blessings! I have never in my life been so eager to talk to and help complete strangers find the way home to their Father in Heaven. I know that I truly do need to forget about myself and go to work so that I can find those people who need it most and come to love them :) I hope you all have a great week and can continue to become better people and continue in your search for happiness!!

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Week 63

So, funny story to share with you all. I am sitting in a Cyber (where we write our emails on computers) in Quito and it just happens to be the same Cyber that I used almost a year ago before being admitted into the hospital with Salmonella and a Kidney Infection. I also have a doctors appointment tonight at the same hospital to find out what is going on with my hip. I have a feeling this time won't be nearly as bad as last time thought so that's good news :) It has been hurting me really bad the past little while and I hope that I can get some help to make it feel better! Other than that I have nothing else to complain about and life is good :) 

This last week we were finally able to start the "Because He Lives" challenge and we received the pass along cards to be able to use during our contacts :) I think it will really help us to be able to get into the peoples homes and teach them as that has been something we have really struggled with! We just have to rely on the Spirit more and say what the people need to hear instead of what we just want to say! We are helping one of our Investigators prepare himself to be baptized the 25th of this month and he is really excited! 

This last week was really hard for them as his Brother-in-Law passed away at the age of 28 from heart complications. We were able to accompany them to the funeral to support them in their time of need but boy, can I tell you, it was quite the funeral and unlike any that I've ever been to! It was a Catholic funeral and they did many things that I have never before even seen in my life so it was a new experience but it was also a good one! His wife later told us that many people asked who we were and why we were there and she simply responded "They're my friends and they are here to support me when I need them most." It really impacted me when she shared that with us! Many times we forget how important it is to form a strong relationship with the people. I feel honored to be considered one of her greatest friends and I hope that we can help their family receive all the blessings that the Restored Gospel has to offer! 

Although this sector and this city are hard I know that with the help of the Lord, we truly can help the people come unto Christ and receive all the blessings he has to bestow upon their heads! I truly do love this work and I know that I really need to use my last 9 months to the fullest so that I can look back upon this experience and be proud of what I've done! I love you all and I am keeping you all in my prayers. I ask that you keep my family and loved ones in yours as well. Have a great week!

Con Mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Week 62

Well, this week was a great one! It's honestly really nice to have something that makes your week just a little bit different and a little bit more spiritual! I don't know what has changed but I honestly LOVE General Conference!! It really does take a toll on you though as so much information, revelation and things that we just don't do get shoved down our throats haha! I now understand why there is a 6 month break between the Conferences. It's so that we can actually try to apply those things in our lives. I think that is something that has helped me get the most out of every session and turn it into something amazing instead of dreadful like it was before I came on my mission. I really hope that you all enjoyed it and can now use the time you have to make every aspect of your lives better :) 

This week we were also able to have Interviews with President Christensen which we have once every two months. It really is so nice to have him as our Mission President and to be able to have the help we need to become better than we are now! It really helped me to prepare for the conference we had and to really look deep down and find what I can do better to serve to the best of my abilities! 

We are still working with a few families that are progressing towards baptism. One man's name is Mario Z. He's the only one in his family that really wants to listen to us and the only one that really understands. This last week we taught him about Baptism and that after if he is worthy he will be able to receive and posses the Priesthood so that he can bless and guide his family through these dark days. We also explained to him that he could be the one to Baptize his wife and kids and the light that came to his eyes was amazing! 

The Priesthood truly does bless all of the families here in the world. Without it we don't have the shield to protect our families and homes against the attacks of Satan. Everyday I am becoming more and more grateful for the power I possess and the power that God has given me!! I hope that you all have a great week and were able to enjoy and keep enjoying the Conference talks!

Love, 
Elder Hunt

Week 61

Well, I think this change I'm going to learn a lot of patience! I don't think that I have had a change where more things have happened out of the blue. Let's just say my companion and I are running every which way to give people blessings, do interviews, contact people, and teach. It has taken a toll on us! I've found myself getting quite stressed out and that's when I get mad at the little things that happen. I know that is one aspect of my life that I need to change! 

The work here has been long and difficult but I know that the Lord has a reason for why I am here and has something that he wants me to learn. I'm really excited to be able to watch General Conference this week and I know that it will help me beyond belief. I have some questions I would like to take into it and be able to receive the guidance that I need when I need it most! It really is just so nice to be able to sit down and to be able to hear the words of the living Prophet and the 12 Apostles. That is our focus right now, to be able to take people to Conference so they can see and hear for themselves the words of the Lord himself spoken through his servants here on the earth. 

It has really struck me hard to realize how little the rest of the world has or even thinks it needs to stay on the right path and be saved. I really have seen how huge of a blessing we have all received to have the fullness of the Gospel in our lives! My Companion asked me a question this week that his Seminary Teacher proposed to them a few years ago. He asked, "If new scripture were to be revealed, would we read it/accept it and strive to gain a testimony?" If the answer is yes then why aren't we doing the same with the scriptures that God has already given to us? Often times we look forward to the future and what it has to bring so much that we lose focus on what we have already been given. 

I love being able to work here in the Lords Vineyard and help the children of God to come to a knowledge of this gospel. At the start of my mission I was scared to be direct and share what I know about the Book Of Mormon as I didn't know what they would say. I now only have the desires to help everyone know what this book is and I understand the teachings that it contains! I love this Gospel and every day I am learning how to live it! It's a long road in front of me but I know that I will one day reach my true potential. I hope you all have a great week this week and I hope that you all search the words of the Prophet and the servants God has sent to lead us here on Earth. Make it a goal to not only listen but to put into practice what you learn. I love you all and hope all is well.
Con Mucho Amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Week 60

Well, changes have arrived, and man has this change flown by! I will be staying here in Riobamba for at least another change and I'll have the pleasure to spend it with Elder Lopez! I'm super excited for this change and I know that we are going to get a lot done and help the people that our Father in Heaven has led us to. 

This last week was quite the crazy one but it turned out being a pretty good week. On Thursday we had to go to Quito for a Medical Appointment. I had to see what is going on with my kidneys. I really don't like Quito because it's super cold and rains a ton, plus I just don't like the big city :P It doesn't help that from Riobamba it's about 4 hours to travel by bus. We got there and were able to eat lunch then we spent the rest of the day in the hospital to do tests. Finally the Doctor was able to examine the test results. He told me that he doesn't know what's going on..... so he gave me some pills and said maybe these will help haha! I've just given up and decided that I need to suck it up and just keep working ;) 

We finally got home on Friday and were able to do a tour of the church for someone we are teaching who is preparing himself to get baptized. His name is Mario Z:) It was a really neat experience and he now knows that this church is the true church! He's having a few problems changing, as his whole family attends another church. We've been trying super hard to work with the rest of them but it's easier said than done! He understands so much, to the point that when we were in a lesson yesterday he started using the Book of Mormon to show his wife that what she was saying was wrong and that what we've been teaching is true. Please make sure to keep him in your prayers so we can help him get baptized. 

On Saturday, we were able to go out with the members to a little town called Chambo on the outskirts of Riobamba to help a family of members make Pig Pens. Basically, we had to get it all started and had to lay the foundation, which was not small by the way! We got out there at 7 am and left about 1:30 pm. We only finished half of it but I'll tell you what, I've never been so sore haha! It was most definitely worth it and the family was super happy!! Service really does pay off and brings you so much happiness!! 

Yesterday was a hard day with getting our investigators to church but we were able to get a bunch of less active members there so it was all good:) It was quite the busy week and the time just keeps going by faster and faster. I truly do love this work and I am thankful to be able to get to know so many amazing people! I hope that you all have a great week and that you can look for all of the opportunities that our Heavenly Father puts in your path to serve someone else. 

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Service in Chambo

(Building Pig Pens)

My New Ponch :)

Some Pictures of our Apartment - Riobamba

Week 59

I honestly don't know where the time is going, but it is going by super fast and it needs to slow down a little bit! This week was a good one and went by super fast. It was one of the best weeks I've had since being here in Riobamba! As of right now we have a family of 5 that we are teaching but only the parents are interested. We are  also teaching the husband of a recent convert. They both should be getting baptized on the 28th of March so I'm excited for that but its going to require a lot of effort on our part! 

This past week on Wednesday, President Christensen came and we had a Zone Conference. It was nice to be able to listen to him and have him help us to  stay focused. We talked about the importance of having a good Ward Counsel and also about becoming consecrated missionaries, which is something my companion and I have been striving to get better at. 

We were able to go to a Stake activity on Saturday that was super cool. We watched some of the native dances they have here and it was great to be able to spend some time with the members and see some more of the culture. 

On Sunday I was able to do an interview for the Sister Leaders that are in my district and they should be having a baptism this week. Hermana Lindsay will end her mission with a Baptism:) We were able to have 2 people at church and quite a few less active members so it was a great week in all!

 Today we all got together at the Stake Center to have a going home party for two missionaries that are ending their missions this week. We played soccer, basketball, volleyball, and UNO. Then we went and ate pizza haha! It was a great day today!  

I really hope you can all start to prepare for General Conference in a few weeks and that you can all have a great week! I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father. I know that you all are being blessed for my sacrifices here and it gives me more motivation to give all I have to the lord. I know that through Sacrifice come the blessings of Heaven. 

I love you all and am praying for you. 
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt