November 7, 2011

To Mom:

Hey, wow, Kelsey is getting married! Incredible! I'm so excited for her. I was about to give her the email of my companion so she could practice her Spanish and he could write someone, his fam doesn't write much. So, thank you for extra fast offering money. I felt that it was kinda my obligation to pay, but i haven't had a ton to spend. Imagine what $20 could do for a family here...it's incredible. The family we baptized last week, the Yupa family, the mom sells things, food mostly, onthe streets. One week she said she only sold 2.50...from then on I always buy 2 packs of sugared peanuts...I think I already told you this story...sorry (: 

So today was incredible, I found the Eecuador I've dreamed of. This picture says it all (above). We rode this tram, the telefèriqo, to the top of a mountain, then we hiked the rest of the way to the volcano Rucu Pichincha. It was so wet. We kinda expected the sun to burn off the fog, but it turned from fog, to mist, to rain...so fun though. Grass everywhere. I was in HEAVEN. 

I think this internet cafe is going to close, so I'll have to write quick. Thanks for your testimony, it's really tough here to teach people how to gain a real testimony. Everyone already has beliefs in Jesus Christ, and it is so hard for them to change what they believe. Luckily, there are other things that the church offers, like a support system, classes on self sufficiency and such to help people understand that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. But there is still the almost impossible task of getting people to go to church. So incredibly hard. We can call 30 mins before and they confirm they're coming, but then don't show up and instead ended up hours away at their great aunt's house! Holy smokes!

This week was just silly because it's a big holiday week. It's Halloween until the end of the week everyone goes to the coast or to their relatives. Quito was practically empty. We had to improvise to use our time.  

I love you, have a good week.
Elder Blackwelder

To Tess:

The cooking is great for the most part. I make a really good soup from rapiditos (like top ramen) with a bunch of other things added in like potatoes, tomatoes, kale, onions..whatever they are selling at the store really. 

I just watched the video of Elliott! So cute. Thank you so much I look forward to the Christmas extravaganza! We have a little DVD player in the house, so something like that (a burned DVD of me, Adam, Elliott) would be excellent. Elliott looks like he is really trying and concentrating on his movements with his hands and body. Trying to sit up and such. There is a baby girl here, who is a year and 7 months but she can't say a thing! nor walk! Kinda far behind I thought, but I'm not totally sure. Thom was wearing underwear at 2, from what I remember. What a champ! Elliott is going to be a great kid, because he has a great mother and father.

I had a dream about my kids the other night. We lived here in Ecuador! 

I went on a hike today that made it certain that I will have a home here someday. The most amazing grasses and flowers as we hiked in the mist up to volcano Rucu Pichincha. I beat my altitude record! We were at 13, 900! I was amazed! I could breathe normally, it was so cool. We met some gringo folks on the trail and I was talking with them forever. They are from san diego and are here hiking 4 different voncanoes and using this as their prep hike. The mountains here are so different - so new from the volcanic activity. AND SO STEEP! Some amazing cliffs. Someday you shall see. I hope you have a good week

Love elder Blackwelder

October 31st, 2011

To Mom:

"We had 6 baptisms on Saturday! We had planned 7, but one girl didn't feel ready and said No at the last minute...at the baptism. It was a family of 5 and 2 others. Maria Fernanda is from the Yupa family. All her family is so great. Moíses, 10, is really sweet and a great artist. He drew me a picture of Ammón after I taught the story to him and gave him my poster of Ammon. The mom sells food and things, snack stuff, in the streets, but is going to take classes from the church- they offer just about everything here. Everytime I am at their house, I try to buy some of their snacks. Last week the mom only sold $2.50 worth of stuff and was stressing about things, but said she feels much better after her baptism. I've bought about $2 worth in the last few days to support them and also because I love her candied peanuts! They remind me of baseball games, for some reason. 

I attached some pictures and I hope they work.

I am also going to send recordings to Candice. 

TELL THOM TO WRITE ME. 

I'm glad you liked the recordings from last time...no i havent changed in some aspects....hahah.

Everything is good here. A new month; came so quick. We have some more investigators that we are really struggling to get to church so that they can get baptized. They have the desire, but they are also just going along with things in a way.

love you,

Elder Blackwelder"

To Candice:

"Haha! I'm glad you are counting down the months to our Christmas phone call! Glad you liked the recordings. I'm sending some more from my activities from today (Soccer, walk to internet cafe). Mom said the same thing, that I sound like dad and take a long time to tell stories....well these recording are no different :)

That doesnt sound like a bad idea, going to Utah State. It would be better than BYU for something like Natural Resources. I miss Utah a lot, surprisingly. 

Oh, it was so funny, we had a stake talent show for the young men and women. Then at the end, Brother Moya who was in charge of the technology aspect of it all (he's the one with the mac computers and stuff I told you about before) played some music, but it was the most random collection of renditions of English songs. Things like Simon and Garfunkel, Hotel California, Queen,... classics. So funny. 

I bought 2 liters of that polaca cake batter drink today - so good. And humitas two days ago, bombin'. 

Oh, so in the photos I sent mom, there is a picture of me pointing at someone, that is President Correa, the president of Ecuador!

He came out and spoke to the folks today in the Plaza Grande and had all his guards and such doin' all sorts of goofy looking marches, but I think they were supposed to be really serious. I was laughing pretty hard, but no one else was...oops.

Do you have any more simple questions like the ones last week? Those were easy to respond to. 

So scary about Giovanny when he got drugged, huh? 

I hope you have a good week with work and everything, and in your relationships. But don't pick a boyfriend just by what he wears or looks like! 

Love,

your brother"

Mission Photos

Ian's Mission has a blog here. 

 Photos of arriving missionaries. Can you find Ian?