Colada Morada

Hola Familia!

The Colada Morada season is here in Ecuador and everyone is very excited about it. But you guys are probably like I was and have absolutely no idea what colada morada is. Well its some kind of warm drink that they make with a bunch of different fruits, but the main fruit is mora, which is like blackberry. Its a pretty good drink, and its a tradition here in Ecuador during these next couple of months and so I will be drinking quite of bit of it here in the next couple of weeks. But I am happy to say I finally got to try it, because people have been talking about me needing to try it since I have been in Ecuador. 

The rainy season is in full force and we are often finding ourselves outside in the pouring rain with a thunder a lightning storm. Thankfully I love lightning and thunder so that doesn´t bother me, but my companion is afraid and is clinging to me everytime, it´s quite funny and we are always laughing together when she screams because of the thunder :)

This week we had the wonderful opportunity to meet a family very prepared for this gospel. We were walking home quickly the other day, because it was dark, raining, and close to 9. We both saw a mom and her son up ahead and it would´ve been really easy for us to just keep walking by and hurry home, but we have a goal of talking to every family we walk by. So we stopped and talked to her, she said that she has been having a feeling that she needs to listen to the gospel, and that she needs to go to church to find what she is searching for. I am so glad that we opened our mouths so that we could get her information to teach her and her family. Last night we were able to go to her house and teach her. She is married and has 2 kids. Her oldest is 11, but special needs and is seriously the sweetest little boy and always willing to help his mom, and her little daughter that is 2. We weren´t able to teach her husband yesterday, but we have an appointment with them both tonight. She didn´t even hesitate to say yes, when we invited her to be baptized and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to be bringing this gospel into their lives. I am just grateful we opened our mouths and shared our testimony so that we were able to contact her. 

I hope you all are having a wonderful week and are opening your mouths as well.

Mucho Amor, Hermana Cordon

Selfie with my companion!

Random picture of Ecuador

Random picture of Ecuador

Me and my companion in our favorite chicken place, that just gives us a fourth of a rostiseree chicken with fries.

Clarita´s baptism!

¡Hola! 

As the subject says, this week Clara was baptized! She is a sweet little old lady who has such a sweet and strong testimony of the gospel! It just brings joy to my heart to see how excited she was to be baptized! Especially considering she was a very catholic old lady a little over a month ago. She was very closed off to the church and would not give it a second thought, then after her grandson passed away he visited her in a dream and told her that he wants her to be baptized so that she can live with him again! Then she completely changed her heart and opened up to the idea of this church and now has such a strong testimony and listens to the audio of the book of mormon for 1-2 hours everyday! She is the best!

Also this week was a cool miracle from the Lord. We were in a different part of our area that I hadn´t been to before, because we had a appointment with a reference we recieved from other missionaries. But, we weren´t exactly sure where the house was and he wasn´t answering his phone. So we decided to contact for a little bit and call back after 20 minutes or so. We were walking down this street contacting houses and we started on one side. But while we were walking this lady called us over and asked us to come into her house. We went in, slightly hestitant, but not sensing anything bad. And we talked with her. Turns out she is a member, but hasn´t gone to church for awhile, and she is new to this area and doesn´t know where the church is. Also she lives with a daughter and granddaughter that aren´t members that want to be taught! It was a a sweet miracle for sure! I love the way the Lord works!

I also get to stay in Conocoto with Hna Molina for another transfer! Which is nice since we are both new to this area, and we have only been together for 3 weeks. I am excited to see what we are here to do for the Lord!

Love you all! 

Hermana Cordon

Another Update!

This week it rained a ton! It´s the rainy season now, so I need to always leave with my raincoat or I will end up being soaked and unable to return home until the night, because our house is far away from all of our appointments. So don´t worry I always have my raincoat with me! But I love the smell of the rain so it always smells really nice here! 

This week I have been focusing a lot on improving my pronunciation with my companion, because I am making the most of having a Latina companion! And I am finding that Spanish is a lot more difficult then I ever realized and my accent is terrible! But, little by little I may be able to say the 'dr' and 'tr' combinations! I just have to trust in God´s power with the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues to understand what´s important and that what I say in lessons will be understood by the spirit. 

We focused a lot on the importance of going to church this week, because a lot of our investigators don´t understand. The church is the most important thing to do every week, because we need to take the sacrament every week to make sure our lives are in line with God´s. Make sure you put that as a priority in your life to get the most out of it! 

I love you all and the scripture I "ponderized" this week was 2 Samuel 22:2-4. It´s a great scripture about trusting in God.

I know that God is there and has a plan, and that we need to trust Him and He will guide us to where He needs us to be. I know without a doubt that He is my Heavenly Father and that He knows me and every one of you personally. He loves us so very much and wants us all to succeed in this life. Trust God and make Him the rock of your life and you will never falter or fail. I love you all!

Love, Hermana Cordon

Conocoto!

¡Hola!

So this week was an interesting week trying to get to know my new area and adjusting to the random change that came about, but I love my new area!! The people here are great and my new zone and district are pretty great too! In my district is an Elder that was in the MTC with me so it´s fun seeing him again! It´s good to be not the only one struggling with the language! 

But the highlight of this week was definitely being able to watch conference! It was such an amazing, spiritually uplifiting, and inspiring weekend for me! I definiltey loved Nelson´s talk about Covenant-Keeping women and making me think on how I need to change and do better to be the woman he was talking about. I am definitely grateful for the opportunity to know how to do better and how to become closer to God. I also like the idea to ponderize a scripture every week to keep your thoughts on a higher plane and grow closer to God. Also to ask in prayer "What lack I yet?" These talks were definitely inpsired by God and I recieved many answers to my prayers. I hope you all had the chance to watch and be uplifted as well!

Today we went to yet another watefall hike with my new zone, it was fun :) Enjoy the pictures!

Me and my companion Hna Molina

 My district right now

Love you all and look to God always!

Love, Hermana Cordon