A Good Solid Week-Francisco Segura Guayaquil Week Seventy Seven

This week was just a good week. Nothing spectacular happened or noteworthy but we were just able to do the Lords work and do it good. 

Blessings

This week, like all the other weeks of my mission, we were able to see many blessings as we worked hard and were obedient to the rules and commandments. The first blessing and probably the biggest-There is a couple that has been going to church for more than 5 years and are not married and for that purpose they cant get baptized. This past week they called to imform us that they have a meeting to get married on February 13 and then that Sunday they will be getting baptized. It was literally a miracle. Hopefully the Lord lets me stay a little longer to witness this baptism to be able to be a part of it. Should be a super special experience. The whole ward is super excited to see it too. Blessing number 2- We have been working with our converts like we normally do and this Sunday one of our converts, Mirko, brought 2 of his friends to church. We have started to teach them and are helping them prepare for a baptism too. Blessing number 3- This last week we were finally about to take out permision from a mom to let her daughter get baptized. We had been working hard with the both of them. The mom finally said yes and the daughter will be getting baptized this saturday. 

WorldWide Broadcast

Elder Shanlin with the little yellow arrow!

On Wednesday there was a world wide broadcast for the missionaries all over the world. Many prophets and apostles spoke and instructed us in the missionary work. If I told you that I learned a little I would be completely lying because I learned so much. It was incredibe the spirit that could be felt and the revelation that was recieve. I now know how to be a better missionary adn in what I need to improve to become the misisonary that the Lord wants me to be. There is no place I would rather be. I love what I am doing, and there is no other work more important than what I am do. I know the Savior lives and that he lives us and he wants us to return to live with him. I am he who gives them that opportunity. I cannot and will not fail in that responsibility. Time is short but there is still lots of time left. I am going to work till the end so that there are no regrets.

I love you all and thanks for everything!

Life is a sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

Baptismos Mas Nada (Nothing But Baptisms)-Francisco Segura Guayaquil Week Seventy Six

There is one important thing that happened this week. And that was...

Baptism

This week we had the privilege and the honor to have another baptism in our sector. It was a really neat experience how we met him and the proceeding events that would happen. How we met him was pretty cool. One day, about 3 weeks ago, I was walking  with my companion and we decided to walk down a street. My companion turns to me and tells me that members used to live in that house but had passed away a long time ago. There were people outside so we just went and talked with them anyway. Come to find out one of them was the daughter of the older gentlemen that was a member and had passed away. She as well is a member but casually was in visiting for a couple days from Ventanas. She invited us to talk with them. We quickly made friends with Juan David and he invited us to came back the next day.

Elder Shanklin, Juan David,   "Priest who baptized him, Elder Rios

Elder Shanklin looking super happy

That next day we were able to teach and at the end of the lesson he told us, "I watched my dad go to church every Sunday. The members of the church would come and then wheel him to church in his wheel chair. It was something so important to him, and I never took an interest in it. Now, even though my father isn't here, I want to learn more." It was super awesome experience and it made me realize how important our example as members are to everyone. The weeks went  by and on  Sunday we would be at church at 9 waiting for church to start at 10. He would beat the bishop to the church. This past Friday we had to opportunity to baptize him and it was a super spiritual experience for him. He expressed his gratitude towards us and that he knew that his Heavenly Father and his earthly father were happy with the decision that he had made. On Sunday morning he was at the church bright and early for his confirmation and had a great time conversing with the members and making friends. Hopefully you guys enjoy the pictures. There aren't that many. The other kid in white was the Priest who baptized him. 

Elder Shanklin showing his inner "Michael Jordan"

Thanks for all the love and support. I will try to take more pictures and have more cooler experiences this week but we will see. 

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin

The Week Is Not Complete Without A Baptism-Francisco Segura Guayaquil Week Seventy Five

So this week we enjoyed a week filled with lots of lessons and to top it all off a baptism.

Marriages

I dont know if I have shared this but that are few people that are actually married here in this country. Most people just live together without ever getting married. That is a big problem for us missionaries. We are currently teaching two couples who are not married. If everyone goes well and they do what they say(which rarely happens) they will be getting married sometime soon. It isnt too hard but they are just lazy and dont do it. We will see what happens. Hopefully everything goes well and they get married so that they can get baptized. Be praying for them!

Elder Shanklin

Leadership Council

This past week was Leadership Council with President. It is always great to see all the other zone leaders from all over the mission and hear from them and President. This month we talked a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Crist and the process of repentance. It is always nice to learn more about those subjects because we can never fully comprehend the importance or significance of the atonement. It was incredible to hear Presidents testismony and it really strengthen mine. I heard that they already called a new President to take his spot in a couple months but as hard as that will be for me I guess I will have to accept it. 

Elder Shanklin and the other leaders in the mission

Baptism

So this week we were able to end the week good with a baptism. It was a older senior that had been going to church for a well but still had his coffee addiction. We had been working with him so that we would stop drinking and this week he finally cut the last straw and was able to get baptized. It was a great feeling and although it was a short baptism service it was cool. His name is Manuel Llivisaca. Dont even try to pronunciate the last name because you will stay it wrong. He looks really upset and mad it the pictures but that is just how he is. He was actually pretty happy and cracked a couple of jokes in the baptism.

Elder Shanklin got a haircut

Elders with Manuel

That it all for this week. Enjoy the pictures in white, and us eating pizza at Dominos. Thanks for all the love and support!

Looks like some good pizza

I bet he ate the entire pizza himself

Life is a Sport, Make it Count 

Elder Shanklin

Feliz Ano Nuevo-Francisco Segura Guayaquil Week Seventy Four

Hope everyone had a great New Years and that everyone could spend a little time with there family. Hopefully everyone got a good amount a sleep as well. I know that I did. 

New Years In Ecuador

I dont want anyone to think bad when I say that this past week I celebrated my last New Years in Ecuador. It was a little different then the last because I was in a different place. The culture here is that at 12 oclock at night every shoots off fireworks and burns this things called Añoviejos or "Oldyear" in English. They are practically big paper dolls of cartoon characters or movie characters or things like that. I have sent picture with them. They are made in all different shapes and sizes. There are some like 2 stories big and others that are as big as your hand. Then after the burn those everyone goes and eats dinner as a family and then they keep drinking and getting drink. The party here doesnt just last one night, but the entire week. Nobody works and the kids dont have classes so everyone just parties. The cool thing was even during the parties and all the tempation surrounding we were still able to focus and have some great lessons and spiritual experiences. 

Elder Shanklin and Elder Rios

Getting ready for New Years Eve

What does a missonary do during New Years?

Many of you just heard my explanation of New Years and probably asked yourself, What does a missionary do during New Years? Well on the 31st and the 1st we had to be in the house at 6PM. From that time we studied the scriptures but that I mean we played monopoly and yours truly won. They we watched the fireworks, drank some sprite with grape juice and that went to bed. There was nothing to do so we all headed to bed early. The only thing was that there was so much noise so it was almost impossible to sleep and I think I finally was asleep at like 2 in the morning. The life of a missionary.

Elder Shanklin and Elder Rios with a minion

Thanks for all the love and support. In the next couple weeks we will be having baptisms so be on the look out for the pictures in white. 

Life is a Sport, Make it Count

Elder Shanklin