Baptism, Advice, and Observations

Luis Tapia got baptized this weekend. Let's Go! We had a baptism this weekend and the other Elders had a family of 3 get baptized so it was a night of white. One of the missionaries was baptizing his first time and it took him a couple of tries to baptize. I did the ordinance and the strongest spirit came over me as I stood in the water. Helping others make and keep covenants with God is one of the greatest joys one can have. I felt like I was completing my purpose here as a missionary. And I love Luis Tapia. He talked to the missionaries here a week before I came to Ambato. He really was not progressing or showing that much interest until I went on companionship exchanges with the assistants. That night we knocked on his door, but he did not want to let us in. But my companion, the assistant, showed sincere love and was able to get us to enter the house and teach a lesson. It went really well, and he ended up accepting a baptismal date that same lesson. And now he is amazing. I learned that when we show sincere love, people's hearts change. If you are struggling with someone, show them love. That will always open them up.

Recently, Elder Brown and I made the decision that we were going to baptize every week. It was the best decision I could make. When we decide to do hard things and humble ourselves before God, miracles happen. Everything we do has a purpose in mind. Every minute is productive. The time is going way too fast. I love it out here.

I have probably talked about this a couple of times but the food here is way better than the food in the states. In the US I often had stomach problems and felt bad after eating. The food here does not do that to me. It is really healthy and I leave meals feeling great. I remember when I started my mission that I heard missionaries say that you get over missing your family but you never get over missing the food. Not true. I think I will have just as if not a more difficult time adjusting to food when I get home as I did when I got here. 

One of my favorite things on the mission is learning lessons. I think in this life we all have lessons we must learn. We cannot escape those lessons but we can embrace them. And telling God that today I want to learn a lesson brings so many blessings. I love talking with my companion about life and us learning from each other. Two quotes from my companion that have made me think a lot: If you don't care, nothing matters. If you want to do something it won't be hard. Two great truths. I am learning so much every day and loving life out here. 

School is starting out in the states? That is crazy. Didn't school just get out? So in Ambato school is starting soon as well. I know I have said this before but the culture is so different between the coast and the mountains. So the school schedules are different as well. 

I have been studying the people here. They do not know it. But I am starting to realize how much climate affects culture. When it is hot people are happier and more relaxed. When it is cold people are more focused and harder working. Hopefully I am not being prejudice in what I say and if I am then correct me. Just an observation.