September 18, 2017-Hiked a mountain!

Today is P-Day!!!

 We finally did something cool. We went up on a ski lift and then hiked a

mountain. It was so awesome. We ran into another district so we hiked

with them. It was awesome to be with other missionaries. It was so

cool. The mountains here are unlike anything in the States. I felt

like I was either in Skyrim, Lord of the Rings, or walking to heaven.

It was so cool because it was pretty and the clouds were so cool.

Honestly I hope that when I go to heaven it is that hike because we

are leaving the world and going to this mountain to dwell and we leave

all our problems behind. But it was a super hard hike because the air

was super thin. Apparently people have died on that hike but we did

not go far so it was not dangerous. But it rocked because it was

really humid up there in a cloud. Being in a cloud is cold, windy,

wet, and freaking awesome. Also right now Quito is pretty dry so it was

nice to be up there because my skin was moisturized. Also we had KFC

again today which rocked. It was also dope to hear from other Elder

and the problems they have. I realize that you can always find

something to complain about.

The weirdest thing I had this week was an entire fish. Like the whole

thing. Luckily this family that made it cooks amazing so it was pretty

tasty but it was different.

On Saturday we helped a Venezuelan family move. The moved to an

apartment on the third floor so we had to take all their stuff up

these tiny stairs. It sucked but afterwards they cooked for us and

Venezuelans are amazing cooks. And they talk awesome.

Also the family that we helped move last week, well all their stuff is

in really poor condition so we got everyone in the ward to donate

stuff to help them out. The ward was super awesome and donated but we

said that in order to receive this stuff the family had to throw away

all their bad stuff. And they will not. It is super frustrating

because we want to help them but they will not help themselves. This

must feel how God feels with us a lot. It reminded me of an awesome

quote I heard last week. You can either have what you want or you can

have something better. I love that quote and it totally applies to the

mission.

So I just read all of 1st Nephi these last two weeks. I noticed how

obedience and trusting in the Lord is really emphasized in this book.

It reminded me of what you said Dad that Nephi is very black and white.

I think this is really good because this is the first thing that

investigators read and this book gives a good foundation. It is about

trust and obedience and is very simple. Very different from 2nd Nefi

and the Isaiah chapters.

Another thing I learned is about difficulties. Whenever we have a

trial we can either go forward or backwards. Forward with our trust

that Christ will help us or back to old comforts. Embrace the struggle

or run away. This week we had an investigator, Manuel, go back. He

says he started having problems when he started taking the discussions

so he does not want us to come back. He is my first breakup. At first

I was really sad but then I realized I tried my best and that it was

his choice and it was not my fault.

I also really have a testimony of the gift of tongues. While Manuel

was explaining that he did not want us back I was so frustrated

because I could not understand a thing he was saying. I had no clue

how the lesson was going until the end. But I realized that there was

nothing I could do to help him and that if God did not need me, I

would not have the gift. Sorry that is kinda confusing but most other

times I can understand for the most part what people say.

Another funny thing. All our investigators want to get baptized on

their birthdays. So we have two baptismal dates but one is in November

and the other in December.
 I am sorry that Gavin and Dad were sick. It is the worst. I have been taking
good care of myself. It is nice to hear that seminary is going so
well. It was such a blessing to have you as my teacher.

So Guamaní is the ward and area I am in. This area is where Elder

Williams was last so everyone has photos of him and loved him. Any who

I have to share a dog story. So we are walking to meet up with this

family and like 10 huge dogs start barking at us and flipping out. So

we grab our rocks and fend them off. I finally threw my first rock and

it felt so liberating. But my companion had this huge rock and threw

it at a dog and got it in the leg and broke its leg.

 

 I just wanted to say I love y'all so much and am loving

it here. Every day gets better.

Love,

Elder Tucker