Final Countdown

"What are you doing home from your mission? Are ya sick pal? ........Are ya still worthy?"

"Dad, Im supposed to be home!"

Just a laugh, dont worry!  Just a quick update. We still continue with the Macias family with a date for the 10th but they didnt come to church. We even did a chapel tour with them the night before and still nothing.  Just gotta keep going.

Since this is my last letter that I will send home, I would simply like to share my testimony.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.  I know that God lives and loves us all personally.  Christ is ALWAYS there to pick us up when we fall and help us fix whatever we have to fix.  I think that is the thing that I have come to know most on the mission. The Atonement is real.  There are many things that I was able to fix and get better at, yet there are many things to do in that regard.  No other Man on earth is capable of giving His life so that others could live forever.  

People CAN change.  I have seen hearts of rock turn to broken hearts.  Also drug addicts, alcoholics, and delinquents change their lives for this Gospel.  Repentance lightens burdens.  If anyone needs to repent, DO IT.  Dont delay.  I know that God forgives sins and mistakes.

Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.  The Book of Mormon is true. It changes lives.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet of the Lord.  Leaders in the church are called by inpsiration, not application.  

Families can be together forever.  The Priesthood of God works miracles if used worthily.  Missionary work is the best thing ever!  There really is no satisfaction greater than helps souls come unto Christ.  How can this not be true?  I know that God answers prayers and makes things known unto us as we ask with real intent. Patience, obedience, and humility are traits needed to see miracles.  I know all of this to be true, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Lomeli

Couldnt help it :)

After he said he would come to church :)

Cow Pied

Oh hey father! Bless me for I have sinned!

I cant help you with that....wrong church.

Hey we did it!  We found people this week!  Saturday and Sunday we were blessed to find 2 families that accepted us to visit them!  We basically decided to not touch as many doors and look for old investigators in our area book.  Silvana accpeted a date for the 3rd of September and we are going to go by today and talk to her 2 daughters as well!  We also found the Macias and Masqui families.  

I cant lie though, its been pretty hard here for the last 2 months.  And I know that it will continue to be hard until the end.  Seems like everything in this world is getting more and more dificult.  Elder Wirthlin in his talks, mentions the law of recompensation.  We should never feel that our efforts, desires, tears,etc. are wasted in striving for worthy goals.  We may not recieve the blessing now, but we WILL recieve it. The little moments of joy we experience are way worth the years of struggle and strife.

Other than that, all the members here in Cayambe are saying that Im trunky and all that stuff, but I really dont feel like the end is near.  I do feel like I am a little more physically tired, but this work is too special and too true to even want to stop talking and sharing about it.  

On a funny note, this week me and Elder Chistama decided to play rock soccer while we were walking, scoring goals and the rocks passed between our legs.  So Elder Chistama thinks he is funny and kicks a cow pie.  BUT the cow pie was still wet.  Thus, he had a dirty smelly shoe, and I had dirty smelly pants.  Thanks compa.

Phillipians 4:13

Elder Lomeli "Lamoni"

Cow pie aftermath

The District SANPUNBE in the middle of the world

Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride!

Mock, yeah! Ing, yeah! Bird, yeah! Yeah, yeah!

Damas y caballeros, we went to Hawaii this week!  We had a super cool activity planned by me and Elder Chistama.  It was kind of a Plan of Salvation based thing with a Hawaiian twist. We watched some clips of a plane crashing then we said that everyone had died.  We had some activities where the people won or lost points and we then judged into the three kingdoms of glory.  And for the refreshment, I made grilled pineapple :)  Ecuadorians think its weird, but some said that they were gonna go sell some!

On a sadder note, that kid Kairon that we found last week told us to not come by.  He thought it was going to be like an Evangelical church, but when it wasnt, he said no.  Oh well though, what can you do?  Keep truggin along.

So yall know that my mission is coming to an end.  Today they sent me my travel itenerary.  Snap it all happened so fast!  Ill be getting home around 9 ish.  Never really thought this moment would come, but it has and now just have to roll with it and finish strong.  It has been pretty rough in this sector.  First time that I have experienced something like this in the mission.  Im going to take Elder Wirthlin´s advice: "Come what may, and love it".

Remember who you are, and what God expects you to become  -Thomas S. Monson

Elder Lomeli

Gotcha! 

Eating "La Merienda" with our mission leader Jackson