tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70424167419440578692024-03-13T05:05:19.440-07:00lachesco notes (luh-chess-ko) stories of my adventures as a mormon missionary in ecuadorLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-82421383669493487162014-09-26T07:35:00.000-07:002014-09-26T07:35:09.570-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">So this week has been crazy and wonderful! Some highlights: 9-20-14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tuesday: One year cake!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wednesday: Hermana Albornoz and I began our branch's mission
program of "Embarked in the Work of Salvation"! We made a huge
poster, swimming in glitter for days, and prepared a branch calendar of the
branch activities that we are going to begin. We're thinking about campfire
nights on the river, cake competitions, game nights...anything we can to unite
the branch! (If your ward or branch had any cool activities, let me know! We'd
love to put them into play!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Thursday: Moved to our old house that has a bajillion mirrors.
Any Narcissist would love it. There are mirrors every way you turn. Made
our way out to a tiny town to visit a lady named Rosa. We talked about the law
of chastity and how civil union just doesn´t cut it. Her friend, Carlos, stayed
a bit and decided he and his wife will stop living together and get
married so they can better obey God's commandments. Eek! They also gave us like
a thousand mandarins. And they were delicious. We missed the last bus that
passes through Catarama and God gave us another little miracle with a
Evangelist pastor stopped and gave us a lift. God is SO aware of our needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Friday: Moved back to our old house, due to miscommunication.
That leaves the Narcissist house to the incoming Elders, hahaha Also, we
painted our branch president's house and ate five times over. We passed by
Gustavo, our investigator that has read the Book of Mormon three times and the
Doctrine and Covenants and the Gospel Principles book and is finally preparing
for baptism (yay!) and shared some pinapple cake for his birthday. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Saturday: Met a
little lady named Lourdes.At first, she had a wall up and made sure that she
loved to listen to all religions but was not into that baptizing stuff. The
Spirit guided our words and we learned about her daughter who had passed away
recently, and her heart was softened. She then took us behind her house and
made her son get guava, or as I like to call it, "cotton fruit".
Guava is a long, green sword looking thing and inside are these big, black
seeds covered in a very sweet cotton fur. You break the sword covering and you
eat it. And it's amazing. On our way to our next appointment, a man cutting
down a tree, pulled out a trash bag and filled it with perfume-worthy
flowers. Then we ate patacones with the Vinces family that night and watched
their 18 year old daughter, Daniella, light up with interest as we introduced
the Book of Mormon. She started searching</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">through the book from front to back. She even read the
publication date. She's amazing.</span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">And....SUNDAY! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hermana Albornoz, our ward mission leader and I all shared talks
about the Work of Salvation. Although we had very little time to prepare, I
feel that Heavenly Father really guided our thoughts and spiritual insights.
Hermana Albornoz talked about Finding People to Teach, I talked about Retaining
Recent Converts and Brother Veloz talked about Resucing the Less Actives. In my
talk, I felt impressed to share the story of Tony. The little, blind Chinese
woman in our ward that walked past the church one day, sat in on a sacrament
meeting (and does not speak any English), felt the Spirit and decided to be
baptized. Because my mother was a faithful visiting teacher and friend, always
stopping by Tony's house in the mornings to bring her to church and memorzing
bits and pieces of Chinese to communicate with her, Tony is active and
strengthening her testimony every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">In the second hour, we felt impressed to share the Restoration
with the Gospel Principles class. Everyone had a pamphlet to read and they all
participated. Our GOLDEN investigators, the Vinces family (who ALL came to
church!) were all very attentive and the Spirit was strong. After church, they
all accepted to prepare for baptism this 11th of October!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">The third hour, we joined the Relief Society and the Priesthood
and trained them in how to share the gospel. We even did practices with the
members (us pretending to be their neighbors or friends) using the
"Family: A Proclamation" pamphlets! And all of the members are more
excited to get involved in the work! Hermana Albornoz and I had barely briefed
our plan for this training, but the Lord helped us so much! We were needed the
entire day in meetings and I felt like my brain was going to fry from
over-usage and too much multi-.tasking. But as always, the Lord was aware of my
needs and sent immediate comfort and basically...super natural abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">I am so grateful to have a God that knows our needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">when feeling discouraged or down or overwhelmed...pray. It
workds miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hermana
Scott</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> </span><!--EndFragment-->Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-78009874922898661212014-09-26T07:22:00.000-07:002014-09-26T07:22:02.690-07:00<h3>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQsr0ID_oBU/VCV1otD31vI/AAAAAAAABfA/yGAC6-iYi5E/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQsr0ID_oBU/VCV1otD31vI/AAAAAAAABfA/yGAC6-iYi5E/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Preparing dinner.</h3>
<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1j9yOE6oZQ/VCV1xiYWSDI/AAAAAAAABfI/x-sroxFgFzw/s1600/DSC06565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1j9yOE6oZQ/VCV1xiYWSDI/AAAAAAAABfI/x-sroxFgFzw/s1600/DSC06565.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Eating the delicacy of a guinea pig! </h2>
<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV9cfOsdsFs/VCV182axoeI/AAAAAAAABfQ/NQ-OdkVcy9M/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV9cfOsdsFs/VCV182axoeI/AAAAAAAABfQ/NQ-OdkVcy9M/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Welcome to Ecuador!</h2>
<br /><br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-67421630069154483782014-04-23T17:06:00.001-07:002014-04-23T17:06:10.087-07:00Update 4/19/2014Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-86350744057897558842014-04-23T17:04:00.001-07:002014-04-23T17:04:57.001-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMfs0uDZ1Lk/U1hU7FFTFLI/AAAAAAAABeU/nEoBoUbgCOE/s1600/New+trainee:+Hma+Olsen+&+I+at+Jorge's+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMfs0uDZ1Lk/U1hU7FFTFLI/AAAAAAAABeU/nEoBoUbgCOE/s1600/New+trainee:+Hma+Olsen+&+I+at+Jorge's+baptism.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-63209241346933862722014-04-23T16:47:00.002-07:002014-04-23T16:47:27.755-07:00So allow me to tell you about Jorge and Maria Fernanda (MaFer). Maria Fernanda was baptized years ago but separated from the church when she met and moved in with her boyfriend. She encouraged him to go to church with her, but he denied and wanted nothing with "los mormones". We found Maria Fernanda one day in the street and began teaching her. Soon, she was reactivated and prayed and fasted that her boyfriend would listen to our message. We approached him one day in their very humble home and invited him to church. He stared at the ground the whole lesson, shook his head and responded "no" to nearly every question.<div>
That Sunday, maria Fernanda ran up to us exclaiming, "Hermanas! Hermanas!" I turn around with wide eyes. "Jorge came to a ward activity and liked it and wants "the nines" to come teach him and I'm so happy and when are you coming over to teach him?!"</div>
<div>
Breathe, Hermana Scott, breathe. Let's review what you just heard.</div>
<div>
Jorge. Activity. Us. Teach. Jorge. What?!</div>
<div>
Apparently, Jorge secretly made his way to a ward activity (he's a sneaky one) and really enjoyed it. He felt a peace in the chapel and wanted us to teach him.</div>
<div>
Challenge accepted.</div>
<div>
We learned that he cannot read or write. so we taught him all of the lessons with pictures. The Spirit was strong and we lined up a member of the ward to come teach hi how to read and write. His faith grew, his confidence grew, and he and MaFer decided to et married so that he could be baptized! They were married a week later and baptized that weekend.</div>
<div>
So this past Sunday, we had stake conference. Jorge stood outside his humble home dressed in a white shirt, tie and his favorite Nike sneakers pressing mater to get ready so that they wouldn't be late. This man is completely different. Jorge, once a heavy drinker and difficult person has transformed into a priesthood holder with an enthusiasm for the gospel and a friend to many.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Transformations happen. Miracles happen. And as a missionary, I get to watch them happen. I just feel so blessed:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, Virginia was baptized! Once a hard Catholic who didn't want the gospel allowed herself to open her heart and let the Spirit work in it. Her baptism was beautiful and I just love to see peoples' lives change!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am happy with Hermana Olsen:) She is so determined to learn Spanish and she is diligent and obedient. Could I get better? I feel so blessed to be a missionary in this time as the Lord hastens His work. Please, please get involved in missionary work. Accompany the missionaries. Open your mouth and talk about the gospel to friends, neighbors and cashiers. Talk to everyone! And you will be part of a great transformation!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With all my love,</div>
<div>
Hermana Scott</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-82375874194728359172014-03-04T17:36:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:36:10.842-08:00<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J29qg3xQe6A/UxZ99FMnMuI/AAAAAAAABdI/Jb91aadmQeQ/s1600/P2101626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J29qg3xQe6A/UxZ99FMnMuI/AAAAAAAABdI/Jb91aadmQeQ/s1600/P2101626.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later on by Birthday, Hma Wright surprises me again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZHVThvQk6w/UxZ-DySuGDI/AAAAAAAABdY/vY70Hx5wFYs/s1600/P2101627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZHVThvQk6w/UxZ-DySuGDI/AAAAAAAABdY/vY70Hx5wFYs/s1600/P2101627.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Lauren wants to make this a tradition)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWnIk62ooow/UxZ9RzvlpHI/AAAAAAAABc4/jrfI1BTv2Og/s1600/P2241690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWnIk62ooow/UxZ9RzvlpHI/AAAAAAAABc4/jrfI1BTv2Og/s1600/P2241690.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transferred to Quevedo w/ Hma Blacutt </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvVJprsQrnw/UxZ9-OY83QI/AAAAAAAABdQ/6pej_KYD7Ck/s1600/P2161652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvVJprsQrnw/UxZ9-OY83QI/AAAAAAAABdQ/6pej_KYD7Ck/s1600/P2161652.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size is relative!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_jpim6PKr8/UxZ9hRteDDI/AAAAAAAABdA/1HnqNxoFQKg/s1600/P2231677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_jpim6PKr8/UxZ9hRteDDI/AAAAAAAABdA/1HnqNxoFQKg/s1600/P2231677.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too tall for the tights we are required to wear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-15692275081052696652014-03-04T17:16:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:17:09.592-08:00March 3, 2014<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have
I mentioned yet that I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY? Because it's true.
Although I'm getting fat against my will (you should see these piles
of rice--really, you should), although I have never been so tired in
my life, and although I'm far away from apple cider autumns and
peppermint hot cocoa winters, I get to spend every day teaching the
gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Ecuador. Every day is an
adventure.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday
night, my zone leaders called and shared their meloncholy
news: transfers for Hermana Scott. I wasn't ready to leave my
companion Hermana Wright, who I came to love dearly, nor
my investigators who would be baptized that weekend, but the
next morning, I hugged Hermana Wright goodbye and headed
to...Quevedo! I joined other Elders on the three hour bus ride
to Quevedo, passing farms and countryside. It was the first time
I had seen real green in a while, and they were right, Ecuador is
gorgeous. I arrived and met my 5ft tall Bolivian companion,
Hermana Blackutt!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
past Friday, Carnaval commenced in Quevedo! Think Mardi
Gras, but instead of extravagant feathers and costumes, imagine
shirtless men with big rice bellies. Instead of confetti and
sparklers, imagine buckets and buckets and buckets of water. And
instead of city wide parades, imagine groups of Ecuadorian children
chasing you with water guns and water balloons.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">EVERYONE
gets wet.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh,
you're a missionary walking in a polyester skirt? Doesn't matter.
"Get 'em! Get 'em!"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
to add on the all the water, people use an aerosol foam that stains
your face and your clothing. This man next to me in this cyber cafè?
Yeah, his face is green.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
think all of the Ecuadorian clouds are celebrating Carnaval, as well.
Horrid rainstorms come out of nowhere. Hermana Blackutt and I visited
a less active lady and only moments after stepping inside, all of the
Guayas river fell down from the sky. The rain slammed down so hard on
the tin roof that we couldn't hear each other talk, haha. So we
huddled together as we read a scripture with her, and then braved the
rain. At first I tried to avoid it by staying close to the wall and
running through convered areas. Ha. Smarter than the elements!..or so
I thought. These paved and un paved Ecuadorian streets pulled one on
me as this giant puddle of water appeared out of nowhere, and I fell
into a muddy, murky mess. Humbled. Not that much smarter than the
elements.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
look up to see my companion laughing like crazy as I pull myself up
from teh water, my entire skirt drenched. We laughed and laughed and
decided to stop by the house to change, since we cant show up at
someone's door looking like wet rats (eh'hem, Bogitos). We cross the
first half of the street and patiently waited for cars to pass.
Splash! A huge wave of water drenched us from behind! Like
those surfing videos, when the surfer is crouched down all cool, with
teh wave of water rolling behind him. Except, that rolling ocean
water was really nasty, trash-filled, street water. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've
lived a few adventures in my short time as a missionary. But I'm not
here to adventure. I am here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And the spiritual growth I am experiencing is the best adventure of
all.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am learning more about my Savior, and doing my best to be like him.
The Savior has recently commanded us, all of us members of the
church, to search for the less actives in our respective wards. The
Prophet himself and the 12 Apostles have put a lot of time and effort
into the new Church prorgam: the Work of Salvation. The Savior needs
us to find His sheep that are lost and confused, and bring them back
into the fold:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that
which was </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sick</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye
brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that
which was lost; but with force and with </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">b</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cruelty</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
have ye ruled them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they
became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6
My </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sheep</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my
flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did
search or seek after them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7
¶Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8
As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey,
and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there
was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but
the </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shepherds</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">b</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">fed</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
themselves, and fed not my flock;</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9
Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">10
Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I
will </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">require</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
my flock at their hand, and cause them to </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">b</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cease</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves
any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may
not be meat for them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">11
¶For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">search</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
my sheep, and seek them out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.17in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12
As a </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shepherd</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are
scattered; so will I </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">b</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">seek</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
out my </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">c</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sheep</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
and will deliver them out of all places where they have been
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">d</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">scattered</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
in the </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">e</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cloudy</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
and </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">f</span></span></span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng#"><span style="color: #094ec0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">dark</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
day.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Ezekiel
34: 4-12)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i
invite you to find the less active members in your wards, to befriend
them and kindly invite them to attend Church again, to read their
Scriptures again, to pray again, so that they can feel the love of
God in their life. We do not know why people separate themselves from
the Church, but those reasons are usually delicate. As we befriend
the less active members, we will find that the Spirit will help us to
know what to say to help them. They will grow spiritually and we will
grow spiritually.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
also invite you to read, "Come, Join With Us" by President
Uchtdorf from this past General Conference.
</span></span></span><span style="color: #103cc0;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng">https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-</a><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng">us?lang=eng</a></u></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hermana
Scott</span></span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-62347500998579305662014-03-04T17:13:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:13:29.698-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLf2WB-lRTU/UxZ6CIHy4xI/AAAAAAAABcs/2GPSeWWacXI/s1600/P2241693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLf2WB-lRTU/UxZ6CIHy4xI/AAAAAAAABcs/2GPSeWWacXI/s1600/P2241693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View in front of our place in Quevedo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-34032386369552685952014-02-11T12:08:00.000-08:002014-02-11T12:08:08.619-08:0021st B-day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgpT5vkO4rM/UvqBXv-6KOI/AAAAAAAABcE/r4vnHvp0XYU/s1600/P2081585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgpT5vkO4rM/UvqBXv-6KOI/AAAAAAAABcE/r4vnHvp0XYU/s1600/P2081585.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Pizza for my Birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sDLXHUekodQ/UvqBncfZzEI/AAAAAAAABcM/igKuLzsM_nU/s1600/P2091607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sDLXHUekodQ/UvqBncfZzEI/AAAAAAAABcM/igKuLzsM_nU/s1600/P2091607.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprised Me in the Morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBRnnsEyAlQ/UvqB5Fw5OUI/AAAAAAAABcU/59Jy-HuIHZo/s1600/P2071581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBRnnsEyAlQ/UvqB5Fw5OUI/AAAAAAAABcU/59Jy-HuIHZo/s1600/P2071581.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gema Baptized!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsYp3wo_r80/UvqCJzJTk-I/AAAAAAAABcc/erV4GxVRbA8/s1600/P2061570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsYp3wo_r80/UvqCJzJTk-I/AAAAAAAABcc/erV4GxVRbA8/s1600/P2061570.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">America cooks "bettah" than Rachael Ray!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-32464313552341434902014-02-11T10:31:00.003-08:002014-02-11T10:31:37.032-08:00My 21st Birthday<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week, I've been working with Hermana Wright, a 22 year old OHIOAN with 15 months in the mission (vieja!!). She is a hard worker and I adored her from day one. Our area has been dead for a while now, with barely any baptisms and few recpetive people. But she has been here for a month, and now I'm here and we are both determined to revive our area. With faith, prayers and hard work, we're gonna find people prepared for the gospel. I know it.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915334" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>, we searched and searched and searched for some old investigators. Got lost a number of times. I stood there clueless while my companion flipped the map around. It was a rough day with little success, but we didn't let that get to us. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915335" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Wednesday</span></span>, we witnessed miracles happen. We found two families to teach, both with single mothers. We visited a family that has been inactive for 30 years, and they attacked us. No joke. they listed all of the things that they didn't like about the Church and all the bad experiences they've had with members. Family, a miracle happened. This scripture came to life:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Neither take ye thought beforehand </span><sup style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng#" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=84&noteID=85a" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">what</a><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> ye shall say; but</span><sup style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">b</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng#" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=84&noteID=85b" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">treasure</a><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be </span><sup style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">c</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng#" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=84&noteID=85c" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">given</a><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
(DyC 84:85)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
An inteligent, logical lawyer attacked our religious beliefs and I remained completely calm as the Spirit filled my mouth, and spoke through me. I learned principles about the gospel as I spoke, because the Spirit of the Lord spoke to that man, through me. I addressed his doubts and calmly explained the gospel principles that can help him attain happiness in this life. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915336" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Thursday</span></span>, we found Mercedes, a sweet and kind hearted 60 year-old lady. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and tears filled her eyes as we explained that the gospel of Jesus Christ can convert her sadness to joy and her pain to relief. Immediately, I lifted myself from my chair and hugged her. I caressed her head in my arms. She cried as she opened up about the trials she is experiencing, about being a grandmother caring for her two grandkids, one a baby with Down's Syndrome. It is amazing how easily people open up to us. They can feel the power and authority we hold as servants of the Lord, because it is very real. She accepted a baptismal date then and there. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915337" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Friday</span></span>, I was on cloud nine. We ate lunch with the sassy and popular 84 year-old America. She was baptized about two months ago, and is going strong. She prepared a HUGE lunch for us missionaries. We had big bowls of vegetable soup to start, then a buffet of potatoes, chicken with naranjilla sauce and rice (can't forget that part), and blackberry juice and then a GIGANTIC slice of fruitcake. As in...I could feed three children with this slice of cake. And we had to EAT. IT. ALL. I thanked her for the meal and she just bursted with love and touched her forehead with mine. It was such a tender moment for me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
We had coconut juice on the way to one of our lessons. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I cannot explain how heavenly it was.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Fruit in Ecuador really is divine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Also, we visited a less active in a time of need. We had planned to see her <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915338" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>, but couldn´t make the lesson, then we passed by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915339" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> and she wasn´t there. Naturally, we both felt really bad since she had saved part of her birthday cake for us. Then we dropped by on suprise <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_782915340" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span> and shared the Plan of Salvation with her (its amazing how we all need refreshers of the basics--it always strengthens our tesitmonies). she explained how we dropped by in the perfect moment, when she needed us most. Another miracle. God guided us to her house in the precise moment.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I love being a missionary.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
My birthday has been SO WONDERFUL! And I feel so loved! I thank all of you for your letters and emails and love and prayers. They mean so much to this missionary in Ecuador. I would love to share some of the things I've learned from the scriptures this week, but time is up and I've got to go!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I'll close with this:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
God lives.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
He loves you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Christ is the ONLY way back to our Father in Heaven.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And He lives, as well.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And I love the gospel of Jesus Christ more than life itself.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Scott </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-30025599450826710772014-02-07T10:30:00.001-08:002014-02-07T10:30:50.461-08:00In new mission ponchos, with Gema, Farewell Birthday Pancake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvCLWLHLtKY/UvUlgTIjtpI/AAAAAAAABbk/4lK-BkfhkDw/s1600/P1311488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvCLWLHLtKY/UvUlgTIjtpI/AAAAAAAABbk/4lK-BkfhkDw/s1600/P1311488.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CiOEAd0bB7E/UvUlxNC0SAI/AAAAAAAABbs/00PZR1kcoWc/s1600/P1281465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CiOEAd0bB7E/UvUlxNC0SAI/AAAAAAAABbs/00PZR1kcoWc/s1600/P1281465.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q467vXrZ3BI/UvUl_2PsLMI/AAAAAAAABb0/nSJ7wTbCIdg/s1600/P2021524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q467vXrZ3BI/UvUl_2PsLMI/AAAAAAAABb0/nSJ7wTbCIdg/s1600/P2021524.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-34765688655026761932014-02-07T10:24:00.001-08:002014-02-07T10:24:21.481-08:00Feb. 2, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our investigator Gema is progressing wonderfully. One night, we couldn't pass by her house, so we called her and asked how she was doing. And of course, our golden investigator, was reading the Book of Mormon. We have been teaching Gema for two weeks now, and its amazing to see the differences she has made. She doesn't drink water or milk, only coffee. When we taught the Word of Wisdom to her, she was genuinely confused when we explained that she couldn't drink coffee. But as we testified to her that it was a commandment of God and that He knows better than we do, she humbly accepted and hasn't drunk her coffee. I've seen her change from timid and unsure, to more outgoing and confident. And that's what the gospel of Jesus Christ does.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The gospel gives us confidence.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The gospel gives us happiness.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The gospel gives us hope and purpose.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And I've watched the gospel give and give and give, not only in my service as a missionary, but I've experienced that change myself.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Walking in the hot, blistering sun (I know I mention the hot, blistering sun about ten times every email, but seriously, you should come experience this heat. Even the Ecuatorians complain. Thats when you know it's bad), missionaries create fun games to keep themselves positive and full of energy. Hermana Muñoz and I play slug bug, or in Chilean Spanish, ¨poncho¨. Vintage Volkswagon beatle: 1 punch, 1 point. Vintage Volkswagon Van: 2 punches, 2 points. So far, Hermana Muñoz is winning by about...49 points, due to my tendency of singing and occasional treasure picking upping (I have found some niiiiice treasures in the streets of Ecuador, including a nasty Barbie head and a Hulk leg)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I had another I-cant-handle-how-much-i-love-<wbr></wbr>this-person experience. While teachimg Gema, I watched her eyes shine and her face light up. When we left the lesson, she full on kissed my cheek and then told us, ¨Les quiero mucho¨, o sea, I love you two so much. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Hermana Muñoz and I raved about our lesson with her all the way home. With a smile on her face, Hermana Muñoz looked out at the road and said, ¨Es tan bonito amar¨. I agree, Hermana. To love really is beautiful.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This morning, my zone leaders called her at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1073086020" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:27</span></span> in the morning.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Cambios. You have to be in the terminal at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1073086021" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:00</span></span>.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
No. No. NO. YOU CANT MAKE ME.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
That's what I told them.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Actually, I thanked them for the call and slowly walked into the other room speechless. The hermanas huddle around me and hugged me, telling me that all transfers are inspired and that I am needed somewhere else.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I packed my bags while the hermanas made pancakes (because they are the best and I adore them) and I headed to the terminal with Hermana Muñoz, Blanquito, Melanie and Marco. And I experienced the craziest transfer ever. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I am now in Samanes 2. I go to the same chapel, and will see my old ward, and I live about a 15 minute walk from my old house. And I am surprisingly calm. I feel so at peace! I received a loving affirmation from Heavenly Father that I need to be here in Samanes 2. My companion is Hermana Wright from....drum roll please....LANCASTER, OHIO. I have a companion from Ohio!!! I never would have thought!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The Lord answers prayers. He truly does.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And I know that ¨there is a level of faith that causes things to happen that would otherwise not happen.¨ D Todd Christofferson. Our faith really can demand miracles from Heaven. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Love,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Scott</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-87890121600487284382014-01-27T14:00:00.003-08:002014-01-27T14:00:36.482-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsfkfmxd1rs/UubWxc1WvJI/AAAAAAAABbU/GQmiI_qZ1Qc/s1600/P1251434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsfkfmxd1rs/UubWxc1WvJI/AAAAAAAABbU/GQmiI_qZ1Qc/s1600/P1251434.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iquana behind us; dropped his tail and ran.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-33296028974150232522014-01-27T13:54:00.001-08:002014-01-27T13:54:31.780-08:00January 27, 2014<br />
<a name='more'></a>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hermana
Muñoz and I are teaching a 20 year-old girl named Gema. She is
quiet, very observant and doesn't leave the house much. The Elders
had contacted her dad, but we passed by the house and she answered
the door. By the second lesson, she accepted a baptismal date. And
she is so, so wonderful! I already love her more than she knows.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
ward sacrament meetings begins at 8:00 in the morning, which means
that we missionaries must leave the house at 7:00-7:15 to pass by the
investigator's houses and make it to church on time. We arrived at
7:45 and Gema had just woken up, and was moving about veeeerrry
slowly. Uh oh. We kindly hustled her along and were out the
door fifteen minutes later. For the first sacrament hymn, we
slid into the chapel and I sat down on the piano bench. I've been
playing piano for the ward for my four months here in Samanes, and at
first, I was frightened and rusty. On Sunday, when I sat down on the
bench and looked out at the congregation, I felt my heart fill up
with love. I looked at faces of people I love, completely, fully
love. Some saw me gazing and smiled back, some sat there completely
unaware, some tried to calm down their squirmy children. It's amazing
what service does for the heart--it fills it up with love, so that
there is no room for judgment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
enjoyed three great meetings and at the end of church, Gema told us,
with light in her eyes, that she loved church and wanted to come back
next week. Whhhaaa. Insert shocked missionary face here. I sat there
for a moment, stunned. Then I squealed and hugged her tight.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
then had ward council and watched as the bishop's small office slowly
filled up with people. until we had 15 people smushed in the tiny
office. Then Hermana Muñoz and I headed off to have lunch with the
Villacres family, a young married couple with a fat, squishy baby
that I just want to snuggle and smother with love. While washing the
dishes, we talked about the iguanas of Ecuador. In downtown
Guayaquil, there is a large park of iguanas just chillin' on the lawns
and lounging in the trees, fat tails swinging from the branches.
Hermana Villacres stepped outside, let out a scream and came running
inside. "THERE IS AN IGUANA IN THE PATIO!!!" No way. Nooo
wayyy!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
dropped the dishes and headed outside. There on the clothes cable sat
a gorgeous, green iguana, with its tail hanging from the cable.
Hermano Villacres came out with a towel, the only weapon he had to
take hold of the guy. He grabbed the end of his tail, then worked his
way up to the iguana's torso. The iguana let go of the cable and fell
from the towel. Then he took off running. FAST, while we were
all screaming of course. Hermano Villacres looked back at
us with the iguana's tail still in his hand! She set the tail down on
the trash can and we watched the tail move all on its own (soooo
creepy how that happens). After a dramatic lunch, we made some visits
and held a Family Home Evening with Tania, Ramses and Tayra. It
really is an amazing thing to listen to them share their testimonies.
Four months ago, Tania was lost and depressed. Now she is strong,
capable and has a firm testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is truly the only true church here on the earth.
And Ramses passes the sacrament every Sunday and Tayra recites to me
what she learns in church. I just LOVE that family.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soon
we had to take off, and we stepped outside to see if was pouring. We had
no raincoats and no umbrellas, so we improvised. "The trash
bags!" We ripped holes in the sides and ran through the rain
like goths in the night.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have
I mentioned that I love being a missionary?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
mission is full of excitement and adventure, it really is. But the
best part of serving a mission is the spiritual growth that you
attain as the missionary. The Lord opens my mind each morning as I
study the scriptures to the revelations I need personally and that my
investigators need. I can feel the protecting influence that
surrounds me. I am no girl adventuring in Ecuador. I am a servant of
the Lord with power and authority changing lives as I bring the
gospel into peoples' homes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
what a blessing that is :)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love
and hugs,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hermana
Scott</span></span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-55322343715005308722014-01-20T14:09:00.001-08:002014-01-20T14:09:07.398-08:00January 20, 2014<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
So something bit my face. And in a few hours, my entire face swelled up. My mouth was actually lop-sided and I looked like a chubby baby who couldn´t open their mouth fully when I tried to eat. It was really attractive.</div>
We headed over to the doctor, picked up some medicine and those pills and creams kissed that boo boo away!<br /></div>
I have this friend in my ward named Helio. His mom and sisters are members--one sister is actually on a mission in Peru--and his dad is not a member. He has seen probably over 15 sets of missionaries walk in and out of his house and attended church a bajillion times, but he did not want anything to do with the church. </div>
We taught him about the Restoration of the church, answered all his questions and left the lesson feeling great! But then, he disappeared. We could not find him. We passed by his house every day and he was never there. Until one <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1218944757" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> afternoon, we found him sleeping on the couch. But we yelled his name and woke him up. Ha. Busted. We walked with him to a park and taught him more about the Plan of Salvation. Then in a moment of silence, I asked him, "Helio, how have you felt the Spirit in your life?" He sat there for a moment and began to tell us about some spiritual moments he had experienced. And we sat there and listened. We didn't say a word. We let the Spirit testify of his own words while we sat there, our eyes locked in on his. Then, the Spirit nudged me to ask him about baptism. He pondered and sighed, then pondered again. And then tears streamed down his face as the Spirit testified to him that it was time. He couldn't wait any longer. The time to change is now. And that change starts with a repentant heart and baptism.</div>
I walked away from that lesson on a spiritual high. With Hermana Munoz, we reviewed what happened in that lesson. We learned the importance of inspired questions. When we take time to listen, the Spirit talks to us. And not only to just us missionaries, but to all people who have been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. God talks to us. But we have to take the time to listen.<br /></div>
I read this awesome quote by Richard G Scott (everyone here is still convinced he is my grandpa...the whole stake thinks so): "By losing yourself in the service of God's children, Satan's temptations will not have power over you."</div>
Ooooh.</div>
Go out and serve.</div>
And Satan will be withheld.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This week, I encourage you to take five minutes to meditate every day, <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1218944758" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span> to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1218944759" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>. Read the Book of Mormon or a talk from a general authority or your patriarchal blessing. And then sit there in silence. With a pen in your hand. And write.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
God will speak to you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
But you must listen.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
You will feel the presence of your Father in Heaven more strongly this week as you take the time to let Him speak to you.<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I love you all so very much!<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Scott</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-91930902463190632682014-01-07T08:17:00.000-08:002014-01-07T08:19:10.005-08:00Structures to burn for New Years and Hma Munoz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnrzQtJlGmY/UswnqkjG41I/AAAAAAAABas/7Dk-eY6tfrs/s1600/PC301130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnrzQtJlGmY/UswnqkjG41I/AAAAAAAABas/7Dk-eY6tfrs/s1600/PC301130.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIT8sZMdzWQ/UswnbiTswRI/AAAAAAAABak/c8EHS6DCKQk/s1600/PC301124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIT8sZMdzWQ/UswnbiTswRI/AAAAAAAABak/c8EHS6DCKQk/s1600/PC301124.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQT9XAsiMu4/UswoC4hwuyI/AAAAAAAABa0/golPr5fHVqo/s1600/PC301154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQT9XAsiMu4/UswoC4hwuyI/AAAAAAAABa0/golPr5fHVqo/s1600/PC301154.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kGBstsK30w/UswoO3Jd0OI/AAAAAAAABa8/v1VwthZ9pdY/s1600/PC301164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kGBstsK30w/UswoO3Jd0OI/AAAAAAAABa8/v1VwthZ9pdY/s1600/PC301164.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-71468034991280581762014-01-07T08:07:00.002-08:002014-01-07T08:07:52.641-08:00January 6, 2014
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">My
world was completely turned around when the assistants called at
11:30pm Sunday night and told us that Hermana Smuin had transfers.
The next morning, a meloncholy cloud seemed to loom in the air of our
house. I couldn't believe it. My entire mission thus far had been in
that house, in that ward with Hermana Smuin. Melanie and Blanquito
picked us up and drove us to the terminal. We found the group of
missionaries awaiting their fate and Hermana Smuin and I contacted a
group of three ladies to end our companionship with a bang. We
learned where Hermana Smuin was headed and she took my shoulders in
her hands, looked me in the eyes and cried as she gave me a little
pep talk. We hugged and then I looked at my new companion: the
beautiful Hermana Muñoz! A 22 year old Chilean with six months
on the mission. She is happy and funny and a super hard worker and
I am super, super blessed to have her as my companion!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">We
have been working from ground zero in our sector, searching through
the area book for old investigators and begging for referrals. We
spent all week finding these people and teaching lessons.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">We
took a break Tuesday night when we came home early for New Years. In
Ecuador, they make these paper mache (no idea how to spell that?)
dolls full of fireworks, and burn them when 12:00 strikes. These
muñecos can be from 1 foot tall to three stories high, and they are
all over the place! Monster characters, Disney characters, creepy
characters that I choose not to look at. They are all over and people
will spend months on these things, just to burn them. We made our own
litle muñeco, a rebellious sister missionary made out of paper towel
and string. We sat outside on the balcony watching the fireworks,
breathing in the smoke filled air and burnt out little Misionera
Chueca. All day Wednesday, we wrote letters and listened to hymns and
studied scriptures, just a relaxing day as four missionaries in one
house.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">Then
Hermana Muñoz and I went back to work. While walking through the
streets, I looked up to see a man on the roof trying to catch mangos
from the large mango tree. I stopped and stared with a smile. He saw
me staring in awe and then gestured for me to come over. I dropped my
agenda and ran over to the mango tree, where he launched a fat, green
mango from the roof. Caught it and walked away happily. The world is
full of good people who want to do what's right. They have the light
of Christ and seek the truth but don't know where to find it. I
really do feel so blessed to be a missionary in Ecuador. I have power
and authority to promise blessings and watch miracles happen. It
really is an incredible thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">Also,
I studied hope during one of my personal studies and I found in
Preach My Gospel that hope is manifested in a few ways. We know that
we have hope if we are tranquil, optimistic, and show enthusiasm and
patient perseverance. What a pleasant combo, right? I want to be a
more hopeful person, and I want to display that hope in the way I
view my sector. Although we started out with zero investigators this
week, we have hope and faith that we will find many more. And we
already have. It really is amazing what the Lord does to make up for
our weaknesses as His servants. We just need to work hard in faith,
and He makes up for the rest.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">I
love this gospel with all of my heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">And
I know that by living the gospel, we find real happiness in this
life.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">Hermana
Scott</span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-39407458175572065432013-12-06T12:47:00.000-08:002013-12-06T12:47:24.544-08:00Tania's baptized, Two dear friends and the bishop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A0vK1EndwQ/UqI2W3lojgI/AAAAAAAABaE/JOvu2YsNsI8/s1600/PB290749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A0vK1EndwQ/UqI2W3lojgI/AAAAAAAABaE/JOvu2YsNsI8/s320/PB290749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYZx5Iuf3IA/UqI2eq16rvI/AAAAAAAABaU/__ujoVQIlNA/s1600/PB290742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYZx5Iuf3IA/UqI2eq16rvI/AAAAAAAABaU/__ujoVQIlNA/s320/PB290742.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vZvUh-BbG0/UqI2ceHHbYI/AAAAAAAABaM/uEZypKFUKsQ/s1600/PB300786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vZvUh-BbG0/UqI2ceHHbYI/AAAAAAAABaM/uEZypKFUKsQ/s320/PB300786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-26829631571788919502013-12-06T12:35:00.001-08:002013-12-06T12:35:01.336-08:00December Update<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">December is here? Where's the snow? Mom, where's the hollyberry spiced candle that you always put near the fireplace? Why can't I hear Mariah belting out "All I Want for Christmas is You?" Wait, does that thermostat say 95 degrees? Am I sweating again?</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Oh yeah, I'm in Ecuador. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And I am loving every second here.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Tuesday: Hermana Smuin and I gave each other quick, little besitos and parted ways for my first exchange (insert looming "duh duh duh" here). I took off with our lidereza (sister zone leader) to Guayacanes to watch how she worked as a missionary. I admired her dilligence and awed from afar the love that just radiates from her eyes. I learned how I can be a better missionary and determined I would apply everything I learned into my companionship. But only three hours in, I was nearly under a separation anxiety attack. Where. Is. Hermana. Smuin. We've already established that my companion is incredibly fabulous. But I did NOT know it would be so hard to be without her. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Wednesday: In the morning, I just counted down the hours until I would see her at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_581039726" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">noon</span></span>. When Hermana Perez and I arrived at the chapel, I spotted Hermana Smuin down the hall and had to literally contain myself from running to her and screaming: IMISSEDYOUSOMUCHOHMYGOODNESSLE<wbr></wbr>TSNEVERHAVEINTERCAMBIOSAGAINIC<wbr></wbr>AN'<wbr></wbr>THANDLEANOTHER24HOURSWITHOUTYO<wbr></wbr>UILOVEYOUSOMUCH.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
We greeted each other with besitos and politely exchanged companions, then headed up the stairs. Finally, I looked Hermana Smuin in the eyes as we almost simultaneously said, "I missed you so muuuuuch!!!"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And for the rest of the day, I was on cloud nine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_581039727" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>: Whoa, It's days like these that make all of the hard, sweaty, unbearable moments so completely, wonderfully worth it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Tania was baptized today. Hermana Smuin and I sang her favorite hymn, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and watched her eyes fill with tears. We watched Alejandro and Tania come up from the cold, cold water. They came up and Hermana Smuin and I slipped out to help Tania into the bathroom. While we waited in the hallway, I pulled her into a hug as we just cried together in silence. We squeezed each other tight and cried with smiles on our faces. Hermana Smuin looked at me with tears running down her cheeks and whispered, ¨"I'm just so happy".</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This feeling is why we go on missions and never want to leave. We taught Tania from day one. We developed such a strong love for her, spending hours in her house teaching her, testifying to her, comforting her. To watch her come up from the baptismal waters was just...I can't even describe how pure and heavenly that feeling was.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Also, while someone was giving a nice, spiritual talk at the baptism, I was distracted when I suddenly noticed Obispo (bishop) looking straight faced at me, flaring his nostrils. So I flared mine back. Then he took it up a level and squeezed his nose down (you know, like that one scene in Princess Diaries?). I squeezed back, Determined to win this battle, he wiggled his ears at me. Dang it. Obispo, you <i>know</i> I can't do that. Unfair. Bah, 1 point for Obispo. Zero for Hermana Scott.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_581039728" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>: Apparently, the entire ward found out that the mission had transfers today, that Hermana Smuin would most likely be leaving Samanes for good, after four months here. We were bombarded with hugs and squeezes and besitos, then shuffled into the hallway for pictures. What started out as an innocent picture with our new convert, Tania, turned into photo shoot with the missionaries. Hermana Smuin and I just stood there as everyone rotated in and out of pictures with ¨"Las Favoritas". Usually, I would be all emotional and nervous with everyone saying goodbyes and farewells, but I felt abnormally calm.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
We went through our day normally, enjoyed church and had a delicious feast with Hermano Olaya and Pilar (the BEST - have I mentioned that I adore these people?!).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Then...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
At <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_581039729" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11:40p.m.</span></span>, we woke up from a call. The zone leaders. NOOOOOOOO. They <i>only </i>call if a companionship has transfers. Hermana Smuin answered while I rolled over and felt my heart beat in my chest. "Hermanas, thank you for your work, for all you've done...Hermana Scott, we need to talk to you." No. <i>You can't make me! </i>"Hola, Elders" with an obvious nervousness in my voice. "Hermana, thank you for all you've done, too....hahahaha, just kidding! You don't have transfers!"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Cruel, cruel torture.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And then a sweet sigh of relief!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Smuin and I will be together another six weeks! We have been working so hard and apparently, we have more work to do in this ward as a companionship! And I couldn't be more thrilled!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This mission is changing me. As I study from the Book of Mormon, and pray at all times, I am transforming my weaknesses into strength. I am learning that I must completely depend on my Savior to make it through with a smile on my face. I know that all things are possible with God on our side.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Watching Tania get baptized confrmed that truth to me. We trusted in Heavenly Father to help us. We had some major obstacles on our path with her to her baptism, but with faith, hope and a whole lot of prayer and fasting, we watched miracles happen.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
God is so real.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And He is in the details.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
With so much love,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Scott</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-87319725126448270072013-11-23T06:51:00.002-08:002013-11-23T06:51:27.281-08:00My Zone!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ifQtcO-7BQ/UpC_1Xn9yrI/AAAAAAAABZs/60jmTqd_ACE/s1600/PB110676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ifQtcO-7BQ/UpC_1Xn9yrI/AAAAAAAABZs/60jmTqd_ACE/s320/PB110676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zona Orquideas 2!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g81IRFO2ifw/UpDAMjs1ZOI/AAAAAAAABZ0/j12HX4foER0/s1600/PB100666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g81IRFO2ifw/UpDAMjs1ZOI/AAAAAAAABZ0/j12HX4foER0/s320/PB100666.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Heroes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-19342928323445252472013-11-23T06:28:00.003-08:002013-11-23T06:28:51.342-08:00Nov. 18, 2013<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Mk-iX9GFhA/UpC7Y_9WTqI/AAAAAAAABZY/cCQW0PoAcs8/s1600/lauren+nov+letter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Mk-iX9GFhA/UpC7Y_9WTqI/AAAAAAAABZY/cCQW0PoAcs8/s640/lauren+nov+letter.png" width="640" /></a>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-62192589378138171732013-11-02T17:46:00.000-07:002013-11-02T17:46:25.566-07:00Serving PBJ sandwiches to represent the USA! They were a hit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3KxzPwLxLA/UnWcsesVNXI/AAAAAAAABZA/CVKdESrJClU/s1600/PA180473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3KxzPwLxLA/UnWcsesVNXI/AAAAAAAABZA/CVKdESrJClU/s320/PA180473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-48854642501711331822013-11-02T17:37:00.001-07:002013-11-02T17:37:29.749-07:00Storm trooper house and Tayra's baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdcI6zwfimE/UnWaFRZZM4I/AAAAAAAABYc/5hkPbkEjsYc/s1600/PA170466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdcI6zwfimE/UnWaFRZZM4I/AAAAAAAABYc/5hkPbkEjsYc/s320/PA170466.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywQLmsWyTEE/UnWaY_Ya-EI/AAAAAAAABYk/8DoNsvGFncU/s1600/PA240533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywQLmsWyTEE/UnWaY_Ya-EI/AAAAAAAABYk/8DoNsvGFncU/s320/PA240533.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8-KxuGDxoA/UnWaj3jg3MI/AAAAAAAABYs/EjIn3-JNwAc/s1600/PA240536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8-KxuGDxoA/UnWaj3jg3MI/AAAAAAAABYs/EjIn3-JNwAc/s320/PA240536.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-80636791745581565692013-10-28T14:16:00.004-07:002013-10-28T14:16:59.778-07:0010/28/13<br />
<div>
Another adventurous week in Ecuador starts now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731556" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">: Hermana Smuin and I finished a lesson a lot later than we intended. We are supposed to be in the house at </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731557" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> because a lot of robberies happen at night, but if we're teaching a lesson, we can stroll in at </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731558" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:00</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. Well, it was </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731559" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:10</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> and we were only halfway home. While chatting with Hermana Smuin, I felt a pit in my stomach and the Spirit whispered to me, ¨You're not safe¨. I swung my backpack around my shoulder and pulled out my wallet to stick it into my shirt where it would be safe if someone grabbed my backpack. As the truck passed us and slowly rolled to a stop, a pit formed in my stomach. I turned to Hermana Smuin and said very calmly, ¨We're not safe¨. A look of horror struck her face and I said to her, ¨RUN¨. Immediately, we took off running through the parks. I heard the truck speed up to catch us while we dodged trees and swingsets through the dusty streets. After running through two parks, we stopped at a street where a group of adults were chatting. I looked to my left to see the truck waiting for us at the end of the street. In a moment of panic, I looked around and realized we were at the street of Bryan Mendoza, a 17 year old in our ward who is our good friend. We quickly walked to his house, trying to appear somewhat normal to the group of adults staring at us. We buzzed his doorbell and asked if he could walk us home. When he walked through the door to meet us, a wave of peace washed through me. The priesthood was with us and we were safe. </span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
In that moment, the Spirit witnessed to me that the priesthood power is very real and powerful. The Spirit also showed me that God protects His missionaries. The Spirit was with me through this entire experience and I reacted so calmly. I scream when someone pops out from a corner. The fact that I responded so calmly to this whole situation shows that the Lord is with the missionaries at all times. And I am so grateful for the priesthood.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731560" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span>: Today, Hermana Silvia Moscoso came home from her mission in Cochabomba, Bolivia. We attended her little bienvenida meeting and watched her cry as she played with her name tag in her hands. She had been released from her calling as a full-time missionary and you could see the sadness in her eyes. The nametag was taken off her chest and she was left to clutch it in her hands as she hugged the family and talked about adventures from her mission. That moment seems so far away from me. Really, it is. It's a whole 17 months away from me. But this first month has absolutely flown by. And I'm just grateful I get another 17 months here as a missionary.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Even if that means sweating every day.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sweating a lot.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
But really, the heat is getting cray cray.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731561" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span>: Hermana Smuin tripped over air while walking in the street today and what came out of her mouth? ¨Poopy poopy gumdrops¨. Hahaha, I love that woman! While Tania had her baptismal interview, I did my best to entertain Tayra and Gianni in the chapel. Hermana Smuin gave Gianni a sucker and he was good to go...until he started touching every single thing in sight with his red, sticky hands. I let Tayra braid my hair, which felt more like someone yanking my head around, and the Elders arrived to interview Tayra. I told Tayra it was her turn for the interview and she clutched my arm and cuddled up to me. She was scared of the Elders, haha. It totally makes sense. She shows up at the chapel and she is supposed to have an interview with big, tall, official-looking men in suits? No way, Jose. She was not havin' it. We coached her through the process and told her that she would see our faces right outside the door, and finally, we went in. She came out of that interview ready to conquer the world and get baptized. It was so darling! She was so, so excited for her baptism. I knelt down on the ground and hugged her with a big ¨Felicidades, Tayra!!¨</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_461731562" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>: Tayra was baptized! Watching her come up from the water was so calming and just...awesome. Hermana Smuin and I sang ¨Abide With Me, Tis Eventide¨ at her baptism and we sang it right to her. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Life is wonderful. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
#blessed</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I've got to run! But I love you all and I thank you for your support and prayers! By praying with all my heart and truly searching the scriptures, my testimony that this gospel is true grows immensely every day. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
God lives.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
He loves you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
With a nice watch tan and a smile,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Hermana Scott</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042416741944057869.post-64334603598825644162013-10-08T12:57:00.002-07:002013-10-08T12:57:48.694-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bntJkY0ZVYQ/UlRi2Ggqc5I/AAAAAAAABXM/C8jg6l8LJrM/s1600/PA060405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bntJkY0ZVYQ/UlRi2Ggqc5I/AAAAAAAABXM/C8jg6l8LJrM/s320/PA060405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiRRHS9RfOE/UlRjQtpS2RI/AAAAAAAABXU/YcgsOLnxZns/s1600/PA060329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiRRHS9RfOE/UlRjQtpS2RI/AAAAAAAABXU/YcgsOLnxZns/s320/PA060329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Writing letters on Preparation Day and feeding the wildlife in Parque de Iquanas!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08893260987121140979noreply@blogger.com0