First Storms

Well the streets are really filling up here in Machala! As you can see by the pictures! Luckily that was the only time we got wet this week! But I can not explain how filled those streets were! It was quite the experience and that day and yesterday were the first times I have seen lightning and heard thunder in this Country. I sure have missed those stroms. But Utah rain is like sprinkling here! 

Well just to let everyone know. Carnaval is this next week here in Ecuador and if you remember from last year that means party in the house because if you walk outside, you are bound to be soaked with water, flour, eggs, and whatever else they can find. And two people walking around in nice clean white shirts is a big old target for, "LET´S GET THEM" So I won´t respond to all your wonderful letters until Wednesday, but I am A.Okay! 

This week was absolutely wonderful! It is always a miracle when someone accepts a Baptismal Date and then you a week from that date and the investigator asks you if they are ready to be baptized and at what time is their baptism! Please keep Froilan Quevedo in your prayers! 

We got to paint a couple of rooms this week and contact a refurall that seemed to live in the other city but for some reason it is still part of our ward. AND I just want to say, moving to another topic, I love companionship inventory. I think I have already said this but what a wonderful time for two companions that want to help one another progress. My companion and I are progressing a lot and I love how direct and blunt this side of the planet is. 

We have been talking a lot about how some people can be exactly obedient and lose charity (Like the Pharises in the Bible) but that doesn´t mean we can´t just stop being obedient. So I would like to ask all of you. With the manuals the Church has given us. Can you be obedient with exactness and still love your brother? 

I love this Church. I am grateful for His teachings. I don´t know what I would do if I wasn´t born in this church. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is something so small but has such a big impact on the lives of millions (mostly on mine) I love being a missionary. 

Love you all and wish you all a wonderful week. 

Newsflash of the week: Read your scriptures :)

Elder Devan Alder

Wisdom Teeth

Well this week was certainly interesting!

My wisdom teeth are already gone so that can´t be it. My companion got his wisdom teeth out. Here is the lesson for all future missionaries. TAKE THEM OUT BEFORE. (That´s the end of my rant)

Well so luckly I wasn´t stuck in the house all week (If I was, I think I would´ve died) I got to do divisions with the guy you see in the picture Elder Rambay. He is a service missionary and a friend, he got baptized after 25 years old so he couldn´t service a full time mission but he sure helped me this week in the craziness. And every time that my companion tried to leave and work the sun got to him and he started to hurt. So this whole week was a little different, but fun!

As you can see we ate pizza (for the birthday of Justin!) And we had just the most wonderful baptism! This family was so amazingly prepared by those angels! (As it talks about in Alma 13:24) But sometimes I wonder who are those angels? Well turns out for this family the angels were the sister missionaries of the other zone. The brother who is baptizing the family is actually her son and his brother. He got baptized a month ago with the sisters of the other zone. The rest of the family lives in our ward but they have their business in the other ward. So we call the sisters to see if we can go teach them and they say "No, don´t worry about it, we will get them ready for their baptism!" Angels. I almost didn´t do anything thanks to the sisters. You never know if YOU are the angel preparing the hearts of the children of men.

Well last rant, I NEVER want to see someone get their wisdom teeth out consious. IT was awful.

Love you all! Keep going! Keep smiling :)

Elder Devan Alder 

Christmas Take2

Well I don`t think I have ever made so much food in one week! Last monday I cooked up some Sloppy Joes and today I made hamburgers for lunch at a members house. Super fun! And as you can see in the pictures, Wednesday we went to Guayquil to Leadership Council and the two elders that I am taking pictures with are now ending their missions this week so I had to catch a picture with them before they went. We also had a missionary from our zone end his mission with all of them. And with so many missionaries ending their missions we have been spending all day today sending, recieving, packaging, moving, redirecting, sending home missionaries. I`m not kidding! Pday of UPS Missionary. It`s kind of fun actuallly! I have always loved being busy! 

And talking about sending and recieving things! I got my first letter in the mission! Woot! And a surprise Christmas gift from my old companions mom! (Everyone thinks I am some Star Wars nerd! But the shirt is super cool! Don`t worry mom, the Buddy tie wins always!) 

Well that was the Christmas part! Back to working on the railroad! Well my companion today gets his wisdom teeth taken out so he will be out this week. I am trying to organize so I can go working with a service missionary while my companion is "out on the bench" Becuase we`ve got a baptism this week! If you can keep Leandro, Virginia and Moises in your prayers that would be wonderful! 

Love the work and love to see God`s hand in every phase. 

AND love you guys!

Elder Devan Alder