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Last Skype/Mothers Day |
May 2, 2016
Elijan amar
Hey everyone,
El mexicano , Elder Hernandez, and I are still gettin at it here in
Babahoyo.
I'm still loving the mission and am learning a lot but like probably any
other old missionary, I've been tired. So I've decided to take this weariness
and try to make it useful. I've found that everybody knows at least a little bit
about the principles of the gospel whether they be investigators, less actives,
or members. It's a lot easier sometimes to be taught than to teach. So in
lessons sometimes I like to take the role as the investigator and ask questions
as if I were the student and let the people help me to figure out solutions and
the principles. After, we can testify of the things they have taught us and add
more if they missed a point or two.
Well I love you all and hope you're all happy.
Just one suggestion: Choose to love.
That's all
Elder Rawson:)
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| En el templo con la hermana Lolita |
May 9, 2016
Mother's Day Skype
Hey everyone!
I got transferred and just got to my last area! I'm in the city of Milagro
(miracle) and am in the Apolo ward. When I had about 11 months in the mission I
actually came and worked in this exact ward for a day! They say its a little
week of a ward and has a few issues but I'm with Elder Vargas from Cochabamba
Bolivia (also where Elder Acarapi, my son, is from) and he seems great. He's
very mature and seems obedient and happy so all is well for me.
Yesterday, after talking to the families for the last time, Elder Hernandez
and I went to visit the Alarcon Romero family. Freddy is the dad who is an
architect. They are a very special family and are very blessed. They loved us
and were very funny, treated us well, but sometimes it was hard for us to
maintain the control of the visits to be able to teach and edify them
spiritually. We got there and started from scratch with them by explaining our
purpose as missionaries and we taught them the nature of the godhead. The lesson
was great and the Spirit was strong. I'm glad I was able to leave them going on
the right foot. I was happy in Babahoyo but I'm looking forward to see what's in
store these last two months!
Elder Rawson=)
"The real voyage of dicovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in
seeing with new eyes" -Marcel Proust
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Saying bye to Elder Hernandez. (cara sucia, alma limpia) ..Voy a extrañar ese pan azucarado de Babahoyo.. |
May 16, 2016
Hey everyone! I'm short on time so here's a few points to update
you on the mish!
-Elder Vargas is great. He's humble and we get along great together! I
still believe the two main attributes of a good companionship is humility
and obedience.
-My area has one paved road. I've about given up on keeping my shoes
shined cuz after 2 minutes of walking they're already covered with a nice coat
of ecuadorian dust!
-The ward isn't the strongest but the members are very friendly and I love
them already.
-I spoke yesterday in sacrament meeting on love in missionary work because
without it it's just work.
-All is well living it to the max with the time I've got!
-Got my flight plans to fly home with my cousin Elder Dalton from the South
Mission on July 8th! See you then... o_o
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| Learning some cleaning and organizing skills...YES!!! |
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| same zone as elder acarapi. mi hijo amado! |
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May 23, 2016
.Hey everyone!
First off, this week I have been doing my best to live one of my favorite
quotes lately. "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
landscapes, but in having new eyes." By doing so, I have had one of the happiest
weeks recently. Not because there has been a sudden change in events or
circumstances but that I have been making an effort to see with new eyes by
trying to see things and people as Christ would see them. What has really been
on my mind lately and what I have been trying to achieve is the love I felt for
the people when I first got here. Arriving to the mission, it was very hard for
me to understand the people here, but even though I couldn't tell what they were
saying, I felt a real appreciation for the members and other people just by
trying to see with God's eyes. With time in the mission, it's sad but true that
this actually can get harder to do but I've wanted to do better at it recently.
I have been trying to pay close attention in lessons and to the things people
tell us to understand their point of view. A powerful lesson that I learned in
the MTC that has ever since helped me to understand the character of Christ and
how I can try to be more like Him is found in John 11:35. "Jesus wept." So much
is said in these few words when one understands the rest of the story. One of my
MTC teachers explained this lesson to me. When Jesus found out about the illness
and death of Lazarus, the chapter shows clearly that Jesus was positive that He
was going to be able to work the miracle of raising Lazarus. But upon His
arrival, He was moved by the tears of Mary and Martha and the rest of the family
that even He was moved to tears as well, even knowing that He would be able to
raise their fallen brother. I learned that this is a very important
characteristic of the charity of Christ. I really feel that without love, the
work of salvation is merely "trabajo" and not so much "una obra
maravillosa".
We have a found a couple families with some great future
priesthood holders as fathers. Hopefully we can help at least one complete
family to baptism before I head out! I'm doing my best to sanctify myself in
order to be worthy of the miracles we need so it can happen!
A week ago we were going to see the Tubay family from Quevedo
get sealed but the bishop said that he feels to work with them for the 18th of
June so hopefully all works out then!
I love you all! Be not weary in well-doing because you are
laying the foundations of a great work!
Love, Elder Rawson=)
May 30, 2016
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| Milagro, the land of las piñas |
 His 3 pr. of shoes look like they've walked a few miles over 2 years |
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| the most beautiful chapel in ecuador:) |
May 30, 2016
Hoooola
Wednesday afternoon we left to head down to guayquil to go through the
temple because Thursday morning we had a zone conference. The temple was great
as always. Maybe one of the most spiritual trips yet. Being able to go through
the temple with a group of the Lord's servants is a special experience and I
have definitely been blessed to do it so many times as a missionary. I've
practically gotten the whole session memorized! Maybe it'll be weird to go back
to English in the temple. The temple can be a very sacred place and everytime we
can/should have a spiritual experience in the Lord's House each time we go. I
invite all who are worthy to go this week. But to make this time special by
waking up before the sun comes up and going to the temple to start off the
day!
Remember that there is nothing more important than people. "Never let a job
to be done be more important than a person to be loved." -Pres Monson. The work
and the glory of God is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of
man". Love is the way and happiness is the goal. I promise that love is the
secret to happiness and that happiness is the product of love. Don't forget it.
Jesus is our Savior and our perfect example. I testify of His reality and His
role in the Plan of Salvation.
Here's a scripture that has had a great impact on me throughout my
mission.. Revelation 2:2-5. (there should be a footnote reference in verse 5
next to the word "works", look at it) I invite you to ponder what it means to
minister and how can you minister to others this next week and you will find the
real reason this church exists.
I love you all! See you soon=)
Elder Rawson
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| Caldo de Bola is my fave soup!! |
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