HEAVENLY FATHER HAS TOLD ME THAT I CAN, SO DO IT I WILL! : )

Holaaaa familiaaaa,

Starting letters is always like the hardest thing to do. Well let's see....I indeed did get a new companion. Her name is Hermana Yagual and she's from here in Ecuador. She lives in the Guayaquil North Mission boundaries. But this actually isn't her mission; it's Vera Cruz, Mexico. She's just here waiting for her Visa. But she's been here 4 months so they made her senior comp. It's her first time being senior comp AND her first time having a gringa companion. And she's new to the area so doesn't know anything. I feel like the senior comp half the time. haha. So ya, it's been interesting but she's nice so I think we are gonna get along just fine. It's way weird being with anyone other than Hermana Lujan though. She wasn't transferred very far, just to a different sector in Machala called Aurora. Aurora is also in my zone so I will still see her a couple times a week at meetings. AND her ward meets in the same building too, just at a different hour. So ya, it's been a lot harder than I expected not being with her. I've legit cried over it, because she really is like my Mom here. But all is well. I know there are still people here in Boyaca who I need to find and teach.

Speaking of a new family, the family Matamoros, moved into our ward and they are awesome. They always have tons of references for us. One of their references is this awesome kid named Ronald. He's 23 and we've only taught him twice, but he's super receptive and eager to learn. He accepted a baptism date for the 19th and I feel like he's gonna progress rapidly. The only thing is he wasn't able to go to church on Sunday because he had some sort of special work meeting or training. So that was a bummer. In fact, that's basically the story of what happened with all of our investigators this week. Marlon and Fredy, our two fechas for the 12th, weren't home when we went to get them for church. So their fechas fell. So that sucked. And then this other family we had committed to attend church didn't come either. In total we had 12 people committed to attend and we only had one person there....and that person wasn't even one of the 12. (I laughed when I read your letter Rom, cause we were both in the same boat on Sunday.) So I'm gonna say what you said....cool beans. ha. Except it's not. It was a bit discouraging cause I was way stoked on all the people we had committed and thought it was gonna be a way awesome Sacrament Meeting. So this week were probs gonna be doing a lot of contacting to find new better investigators who will actually come to church and progress.

So Madelaine left for her mission this week. She's in the CCM in Colombia. Stoked for her but it's also really sad cause she basically worked with us every day of the week. :( I know she's gonna do great though. And I still got Michelle here. (She's like my best friend.) haha I'm not gonna lie, Hna Lujan leaving, and then after being so stoked on all these people to have none show up has gotten me in a bit of a discouragement stupor. I've been really really homesick the past couple of days and 14 more months seems like it's gonna take 14 years. But I take comfort in my Patriarchal Blessing and in all of you guys and your words of encouragement. Ultimately I know this is where  I need to be, and I have a desire to share this gospel and to bring others unto Christ, but sometimes I just feel like I can't do it. But Heavenly Father has told me that I can, so do it I will. :) 

So I decided I'm going  to share some fun Ecuador facts with you today:

1) Everything liquid is sold in ¨fundas¨...bags. Water, condiments, cleaning products, beverages, EVERYTHING: When you're thirsty you just buy a baggy of water from a tienda, rip a corner with your teeth and start sipping away! haha

2) Bananas aren't called platanos. They're called guineos. No ifs ands or buts about it. haha

3) Apparently Ecuador is the only place where you can find every banana sticker in the world so it's kind of a thing to collect them...especially with the missionaries...they're called calicsos...or something like that. Maybe I'll send a pic of my budding collection next week. :)

4) Something we eat basically on the daily are called verdes. They appear to be unripe bananas but they are actually a lot darker green and have a salty, starchy taste, not a sweet one. and the peel is more of a shell or cast, and doesn't just peel away. You gotta hack it off with a knife. But they're really yummy sliced and fried. And once they are overripe, they become sweet and are called murduras. And murduras fritas are like the yummiest thing ever. mmm mmm good.

5) Chuso. Not even sure if that's how you spell it. But I say it all the cussing time. It's almost like ¨cuss¨or ¨freaking¨except it can't be used as an adjective like those words can be. Just if something happens it's like öhh chuso¨. Oh another phrase is ¨que bestia¨. Like if someone is doing something dumb or if something was said that's weird or not right, siempre decimos, ¨que bestia.¨. haha. The exact translation into English is ¨what beast¨, which doesn't even make sense.

Ok so I forgot!!! On Tuesday, before the transfers happened, while I was still with Hna Lujan and Hna Nazer, I encountered something during a meal for the first time where I literally thought ¨there is no way I can eat this.¨ What was it you may ask? Oh you know just a set of lungs and a kidney floating in my soup. Blegggh. But there's no way I couldn't eat it cause it took up like half the bowl! and Hna Nazer, that lucky duck, didn't have an organ in her bowl, but the kind soul that she is, she offered to share it with me. SO while the members were in the kitchen and not looking, I quickly chopped it in half and slipped half of it into her bowl. We counted to 3 and each took a bite at the same time. It was nasty. Or in the words of Hna Nazer, "Ya, that's not normal." We started sucking down water from our filter fast and did so after every bite. After it was all gone, we slyly high-fived each other under the table. It was nice to have a fellow gringa to go through that with for the first time. But it actually wasn't THAT bad. The texture is nast and the flavor odd but it's more the thought of eating an organ and the fact that it's not like cooked into anything but literally in its obvious organ form that gets me. But I actually feel lucky that this is the first time I've encountered a weird body part. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. fun stuff.

Well I gotta go, I'm gonna send some pics of my farewell with Hna Lujan. Some pics I took with Hna nazer, and finally pics of my apt as well!! haha I love you all so incredibly much! and a special shout out to my Grandma Joycie whose birthday was yesterday!! Love you grandma!!!

So this is my little apartment! I took this one with my back against the far wall in the kitchen and you can basically see the whole thing from there. haha 

This is the back room where we keep our clothes. I basically live out of a suitcase on the cement floor but it's all good! :)

haha. My hair cause Hna Nazer made my hair look thicker than it is! It's like a sock bun but without a sock! magic. (this was waiting in the aurora apartment for my new comp to come)

Love from Ecuador, 

Hermana Harper

ps - Super intrigued about the Christmas jammies Mom!! Also I can't think of anything special I left, and whatever you send me will be special :) Oh but maybe a handful of 3 by 5 cards (I don't need a lot cause I can reuse them) and a couple of nice black and blue like gel or felt pens? I want nice pens for journal writing or something. shmanksss :)

IT MADE ME LAUGH SO HARD BUT IN A GOOD WAY

Fambam,

Haha, Mom you are so unbelievably random....the wisdom teeth pics....I lolzed so hard! haha 

Well hello family! Just another week here in Boyaca. The weeks are starting to blur together! Haha but this week we found some great new investigators who I was so stoked on! Like 5! And then only one showed up to church.....and then our babptism for this coming Saturday, Jose, didn't show up either and he still needs one more weeek of attendance, which means he's not getting baptized on Saturday... :/ So not the best week for us as far as the missionary work goes. But I know there are still people here that we need to find and teach! I can just feel it! 

Mom....I forgot to take pictures of my apartment AGAIN. I'm so sorry. But here's why: This morning while personally studying, one of the APs called and was like you guys need to go to the bus terminal right now; were giving you a third comp temporarily. But that's all they told us. So we go and it's Hna Nazer! A girl from my CCM group. So she's with us right now and we have no idea for how long! So ya it was hectic getting all of her stuff into our tiny place. It's a mess right now and wouldn't make for very good pics. but next week i PROMISE PROMISE. I know I've said that like 5 times but for real this time. :) 

So every week when we sign into the account to write our letter to the President, it has our name with the name of our companion and our area as well....this week it shows me in Boyaca still but there's a different name as my companion!!! SO I think we're going to be having transfers tomorrow...which means I'm gonna get a new senior comp and I'm really scared cause there are a lot of intense scary hermanas in this mission and it's a name my comp  doesn't recognize, which is weird. So I'll have to let you know how that goes next week!. :/ 

Oh I fogot to tell you last week thanks for sending up the Sano sand!! It made me laugh so hard but in a good way. One of the best things in the package and now I have a piece of California with me! literally. So great!  My comp was a little confused though. haha 

So Madelaine leaves for her mission this week! We all took some pics at her goodbye party.

Everyone Together. Can you see the giant thing of bananas hanging off the tree in the background?! hehe

 out front of the bishops house.  Love these girls!

Me and Madelaine

I love all these girls here in my ward so much. Oh, also one night my comp and I were starving so we called this lady in our ward who makes yummy empanadas and sells them in the centro and had her deliver some to our apartment. It was a mini empanada fiesta during the nightly planning sesh. and we took some pics of that too that I'll send. One is of my planner and an empanada juntos. The life of a South American missionary. haha 

mini empanada fiesta during nightly planning

my planner and an empanada juntos

Well I wish I had some cool miraculous experience to share with you all because I feel like my letters are kinda lame, but it was just a normal week of knocking doors and teaching lessons! I love you all so much and really appreaciate each and every single one of your letters. I feel so lucky to have so many awesome loved ones in my life!! I learn something from every single one of you. Keep on reading your scriptures and saying your prayers everyone, because those are the only 2 things that can help us get through all of our trials and challenges in life. 

Love you family!!! Hasta la aproxima semana....xoxo

Hermana Harper

ps- I've started a list of interesting Ecuador culture facts that I'm gonna finish up and send next week. I really need to liven up these letters! haha

pps - Mom and Dad, I love that you guys did that bike ride the other week! Sounds wayy fun. Also Mom, I have heard about Austenland. I wanted to see it at Sundance but never got the chance! Can't wait to watch it together when I get home along with all the other chick flicks I will have missed. It's gonna be fun times. :) Love you!

YES, I CAN HAVE DEEP CONVERSATIONS IN SPANISH!!

Hello Beloved Family!!

being silly on the bus ride home a couple weeks back

So I got your package this week!!! 'Twas the best. day. ever. Loooooveeeed all of the photos and treats and what not. It's weird seeing pictures of family outings without me in them. So I'm kind of sad I missed out on all those fun family times but I know we shall have more post mish so all is well. Looks like you guys had a blast this summer. 

Also Mom those sticker things with the cute little sayings are legit! I'm not quite sure what I should do with them though....I wanna like put them up on the wall but I'm gonna be changing apartments so often and I don't want them to be a one time use thing....got any ideas for me?? Cause they are way cool. 

Speaking of my apartment, I forgot again to take pictures of it.  I keep saying I'm gonna do it pday, after we clean it, but I always forget until I'm sitting in the cyber again....but I'll do it today so they will be all ready to go next week, promise Mommy :) 

I love that you sent me your hymn book Mom! So special. But for real, I've been showing everyone. haha. And the cute little bracelet! love it as well. They match my earrings so it's perfect. Also Mom, you always write me the best handwritten letters! Like for real.  I feel so lucky to have such a loving awesome mother. And just so you know, I have kept all of them throughout the years and read them often. I have some of them with me. I just reread the one that you wrote for me 2 summers ago when I first left home for BYU. You made me cry. The one in this package made my cry too. They alwasy make me cry! But in a good way, because i just love you so much. :)  Oh and those little 3 by 5 card notes from the rest of you were all right I guess. ;) haha nahh for real. They were great, thanks fam :) 

Sooooo this week....I was in the apartment for 4 days straiiiiiight. My comp is suffering from major back pains and migraines so the nurses made us stay in almost all week. Sufficeth to say that our program sucks and we only had one investigator in church on Sunday. That's what happens when you can't teach your investigators all week! But that's ok. My comp and I had some good bonding moments and some deep conversations about things during all those hours in the house so that's a plus. Yes, I can have deep conversations in Spanish!! haha. Not really, there is a lot of dictionary flipping going on during these talks. and I'm pretty sure she is the only one who can understand my broken Spanish, but I still feel really triumphant after these conversations. I know the Spanish is coming, just gotta keep up that patience and faith!  Oh, ps, the momitta here who washes our clothes friended both me and you on fbook. She's pretty cool. So that's who that is. 

So ya, this week was pretty uneventful but it had some quality me time, some quality comp time, some quality study time, and some quality fam time as well with the package! My comp is doing better now and I can't wait to hit the streets this week and find new people to teach! I'm just so anxious to get the word out there of our wonderful message! I know that it really is the only thing that brings  people happinesss. Hopefully next week my letter will be better. :) Love you guys!!

Love from Ecuador,

Hermana Abbie Harper

These pictures are from when I went to Guayaquil a couple weeks back. Reunited with the CCM trio while our comps were in the meeting! We made Hermana Catmull make us cookies in the toaster oven they have in the nurses house. haha It wasn't qutie the same but Hna Wiscomb and I enjoyed them none the less. Oh and there's a crappy photo of Guayaquil I took from the bus window but it's all I got.

My Zone Leaders

SPEAKING OF SPANISH, IT'S DEFINITELY STILL RIDING THE STRUGGLE BUS

Hey Fam,

Oh my goodness gracious, so much has happened at home I think my head is gonna explode I'm so overwhelmed! Seriously, I feel like nothing has happened to me this week after reading all yalls letters. First off, I may or may not have burst into tears on the way to the grocery store in a taxi while reading Grandma's letter....I was so confused cause I still hadn't read yours Mom. I mean I was still crying when reading yours because what in the heck?! How in the world can Papa have a brain tumor! I was just in shock cause it came out of nowhere; he is so healthy!!  I'm glad the surgery went well though, and it was probably a good call not telling me until after the surgery Mom. I would have been worried sick. Well I still am worried sick but it's comforting knowing that they got it all out and now it's just a matter of making sure one doesn't pop up again. Ahhh, I really wish I could be there with all of you during times like this, but I know I just have to trust in the Lord that everything is gonna be alright. It also helps that Papa is still his joking self. And way cool Mom that you got to have those sentimental spiritual moments with him. Papa is rarely, if ever, sentimental! Wish I could've seen that. You'll have to get another brain tumor when I get home Pops so I can see your sentimental side ;) haha chiste chiste. Pleaseeee don't get another brain tumor...cause if youre not still there when I come home Papa, you're gonna be in big trouble!  But I'm glad all is well for now. :) 

I can't believe Jacob and Kenz got their calls!!! ahh! seriously so crazy. I freaked out in the cyber reading about them. haha Congrats you two! Although I'll probs write you both separately, but here's a shout out in the main letter too. :) Speaking of shout outs, shout out to Sister Mittleman!! I got your card the other day, and i loved it! Very sweet of you! Thanks so much! :)  So I'm jealous of the food at Ricey's farewell!!! Although I should've  known it would be awesome. You're gonna do great Rice, I'm so proud of you!!! :) I can't believe school and seminary is already starting up.....crazy crazy crazy. Can't wait for the Shelley vs Tom seminary teacher rival stories. Those will be fun.

Ok, so here's what's up in Machala. Currently: not much.  We have some progressing investigators but none who have baptismal dates so not much to say other than I hope they continue to progress so we can have some baptisms on the 21st and 28th!  But there is this one couple that we are teaching and his wife had an accident in her brain...not sure exactly what, but she's a little off now as far as social cues and stuff. But she can still talk and converse and understand things for the most part.  Anyways she's adorable, in her 60s and she's like obsessed with me. Whenever I talk.....IDK, she's just like..... I like her! The way she talks! The way she smiles! She's like a doll! So basically she's amused by my gringo accent and gringo appearance. haha But it's all good. She always gives me really long hugs and sloppy kisses on the cheek. haha But I love her so much. I feel like she can understand my Spanish better than the people who don't have brain problems....ironic right. 

Speaking of my Spanish, it's definitely still riding the struggle bus. (And my little cuss of a brother Riley refuses to help me via email! ;) haha, idk.  I guess I'm progressing but I still feel like a toddler struggling to find words and form sentences and there's defs people in my zone who came the same time as me whose Spanish seems way further ahead than mine. But I'm trying not to compare myself to others and to just trust in the Lord. 

I came across a quote in the CCM that I just love so much and it's by David A Bednar. It reads, “To not take counsel from our fears means that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ overrules our fears and that we can press forward with a steadfastness in Him. To not take counsel from our fears means that we trust in God’s guidance, assurance, and timing in our lives.”

This quote always gives me comfort. I know that for whatever reason I am supposed to be here in Ecuador and at this specific time. I know that Heavenly Father wanted me here and I know that this season of my life is the season to serve Him and to serve my fellow brothers and sisters. It's hard to not have fear sometimes especially when it comes to speaking Spanish, but with this knowledge that I have, this faith that I have, that my Heavenly Father needs me here at this time in my life, it's impossible for that fear to take root for too long. So when the adversary puts those thoughts that I can't do this or that I can't learn Spanish into  my mind, I just think of those things and my faith in my Savior chases those fears away. 

I miss all of you every single day and it can be hard, but I know that I will see all of you in a short 15 months!! The time will pass quickly, I know it. You all are in my prayers every single day. Keep on keeping on everyone. Love you all!!

Love From Ecuador,

Hna Abbs Harps

ps- Thanks for the alliteration tips mom. The truth is that every week I say I'm gonna look for some words to use but I always forget until the next time I'm finishing up a letter and got nothing and remember that I forgot to look for a word! haha Give me some M ones for Machala!

 It was raining walking home from church last week so we took pictures :)  
                                                                                                          Me and Hermana Busath

the pday before last we took pictures at this giant boat thing in this random park in our sector dont know what its for but its cool! something historical

   

My zone after the last cambio ended! Boyaca, Machala

I BORE MY TESTIMONY IN SACRAMENT MEETING! THAT WAS LOLZ.

Hola Familia!

So I am in Guayaquil again because my companion had another meeting with all the leaders, so I don't have much time to write! Also, I wasn't able to print and read everyones' letters beforehand so I'll print them after I'm done writing and reply next week. :)  But all is well here. I didn't have a transfer and am still in Boyaca Machala with Hna Lujan. : )  This week nothing out of the ordinary happened, just lots of contacting and trying to find people to teach and invite to be baptized! So I think since I can't really think of anything right now I'll  just answer your questions from the other week Mom....

First one: What does Machala look like? Honestly it's just your average South American city. Lots of cars, but mainly motorcycles and taxis. There are tons and tons of taxis. There aren't houses, just buildings with usually a few different floors with different people living on different floors. Basically just like apartments. Some are nicer than others. Some have tile floors and cabinets while others have dirt or cement floors. There are little tiendas everywhereeee. Usually it's just the front room of people's houses that they turn into a store. So they live where they work. haha. But it's nice cause if you every wanna snack or a Coke while contacting, it's not a big deal to get something cause there are opportunities everywhere. The streets are dirty and there's trash everywhere but the people try to sweep it sometimes. But ya, there are always just piles of trash and rubble everywhere. Anything goes. haha 

Ok, weather conditions....It has rained a couple times but it's more like light drizzle or mist at best. But other than that, it's usually cloudy but still warm. It's starting to get hotter and hotter though. I'm scared for when it's just all hot all the time. 

The people are all nice. Even if the people are interested in what we have to say, they usually all listen politely for the most part.  My apartment is small but comfortable. It's just me and my companion so we don't have to worry about sharing space with others. I'll take some pictures of it and send them next week. 

What do I eat?... Let's see. It varies a bit but usually the meals consist of rice. Always rice of course. Sometimes Manestrar, which is just like watery beans. And some sort of meat like pollo or beef. Sometimes there is mashed potatoes, which I love. Sometimes grilled vegetables, sometimes shrimp. Lots of eggs and lots of rice. idk, normal things for the most part. I have yet to eat anything super weird. Dan, I shall have to finish the rest of your questions next week Mom cause I'm running out of time but...

My most spiritual experience this week was probably when I was reading in Alma about Alma the Younger's conversion experience and how when he thought all hope was lost for his salvation, he remembered his father's teaching of Jesus Christ and that he suffered for all of our sins and cried out to him begging for forgiveness and then just felt complete joy. I love how he says that his joy was just as intense as his sins...just the opposite side of the intense spectrum obviously if that makes sense. I don't have my English scriptures with me right now to quote anything exactly. haha But ya, all is well.

I bore my testimony in Sacrament meeting! That was Lolz. I'm pretty sure nobody could understand me but whatevs, at least I tried. Oh, there are now Elders in Boyaca with us as well! It's so weird they aren't splitting the sector or anything. The 4 of us are just working in the same space...kinda strange but one of them is gringo so now I have someone that I see daily to ask grammar questions if needed! But everyone gets mad when we speak English with each other so we will see how that goes...haha.  Spanish is still a struggle but I definitely recognize that I learn more and more every day. 

Today, while my companion was in the meeting, I got to hang out with my trio comps from the CCM because their comps were in the meeting too!  We hung out in the Casa de Las Enfermeras and made chocolate chip cookies and chatted! it was fun. Ok, I'm really tired and got a 4 hour bus ride ahead of me. I'm sure I forgot something so if I did, I'll just tell you all next week! Thanks for the letters, I can't wait to read them tonight and respond next week!! Love you all!!

Greetings from Guayaquil,

Hermana Harper

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF MY LOVED ONES, FOR EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU READING THIS. YOU MAKE MY LIFE BETTER.

Waddup all,

So I think you will be happy to know that I have not died of Rabies!! Thanks for making sure I got those Mom; I'm glad you called. The only reason I was so insistent on you not calling is because the nurse and my companion were so insistent on me not telling you guys because if you called, the office would apparently be super mad...but I think that was with the former President. From what I have heard about him, he was pretty strict and uptight, but I can't imagine President Torres having a problem with it. From what you said Mom, it sounds like he didn't. And you are right, he is a very warm and caring man and I am soooooo glad I came to this mission right around the same time he did.....because I don't think I would have been able to handle not having a loving mission president. 

So ya, all is well. On Tuesday I got my first out of five Rabies shots. Not sure if it was as effective starting the series two days after the shots but whatevs. And since the place was closed over the weekend, I didn't get my last one until this morning. So as of today, I am officially done with the Rabies madness. And  luckily I didn't get them in the wound, but in the stomach. Which is not fun either, but after hearing they are sometimes given in the wound, I'm feeling thankful for the gut shots. haha. Getting shots here is so weird. I have to go across the street and buy my own syringe beforehand. Isn't that weird? I'm sure the meth addicts back in the states would love the convenience of being able to purchase a syringe for 30 cents at every street corner. haha. But ya, I haven't gotten sick or anything and it has been over a week now since I was bit, so I'm pretty sure I'm Rabies free. The wound still hurts a little but it's starting to scab a little. I probs won't know how gnarly the scar is gonna be for a couple weeks. But I keep it wrapped up when hitting the streets so I think the dirt has managed to stay out. I think that's all I have to say about that. :) 

The full names of my converts Mom are....Carla Vicente, Bolivar Aguirre, and Elias Vera. And now....Alejandro Cruz!! The 86 year old little carpenter was baptized on Saturday!! Did I tell you guys that he still works? I don't remember but ya, he has a little carpentry shop where he lives and works. It's really small and dingy with dirty floors but it's cool cause every time we go teach him, we can see the progress that he's made on a dresser or bed frame or whatever the project happens to be. He's bien chevere as they say here. haha. Chevere is basically just cool.  Which reminds me, Hno Mostacero wrote me about Bay and told me that my hermano was "bien cool" hahaha. And then after he said "son iguales." This basically means that the two of us are the same. I enjoyed that. But anyways, Alejandro's baptism was really nice! I will attach photos. But it was cool to see this 86 year old man, who has done who knows what in his lifetime, be completely free of sin. How awesome is that? His confirmation on Sunday went well also and todo es bien con el. :) 

Alejandro's Baptism

Oh Michelle told me she sent you pics mom! Michelle is Valeria Garcia. Her name is Valeria Michelle and she goes by Michelle but apparently it's Valeria on fbook. Whatevs, I don't understand how they do names here. haha. But she loved that you wrote her back in your Spanglish. Why didn't you have Rye help you write in Spanish? haha. Also, congrats on the new calling!!! You're gonna do so awesome Mom, I know it. :) Also congrats to our new Bishop Baker!! That sounds way too weird. haha.

Well other than the baptism, this week wasn't too exciting as we had to spend a couple afternoons in the house cause of my leg and then one other one too because my comp had killer migraines. So three afternoons not working equals not much to say. As of now, Mom, I'm not completely sure about transfers. It looks like both Hna Lujan and I will be staying in Boyaca. I think I'm glad about that. I'm scared of having a transfer since Boyaca is all I know and I'm scared of getting  a mean comp too. So I'm glad that it seems like I'm gonna be having another transfer here. :) 

I love hearing what's going on at home with all of you. And Mom, I loveee the detailed everyday things. Honestly, just hearing about the small things that you guys do, like movies and Strands and what not is awesome. So keep up the detailed letters! and just on writing. 

I'm gonna start trying to include more spiritual thoughts in my letters. It's just hard since I basically only study in Spanish so instead of being spiritually edified during study time and stuff, I'm just struggling to understand what I'm reading. But I do understand more and more everyday and my dictionary is my best friend. haha. This week i did read the introductions and testimonies at the beginning of both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, (in English) something that I had never really taken the time to do thoroughly before. Idk, I just loved it, and the testimonies really helped to strengthen my testimony.  I felt with assurity, the whole time, how true this church is and how incredibly lucky we all are to be a part of this wonderful restoration in Christ's church, the same church that he established when He was on the earth. We are soo so incredibly lucky and I personally feel tremendously blessed for this opportunity I am able to have in this season of my life to share this wonderful restoration of the true Church of Christ with children of our Heavenly Father here in Machala. I always think how sad it is that these people haven't been as fortunate as me to have this knowledge and happiness in their lives and my desire to learn and teach increases. Whenever I feel discouraged or what not, I always just remind myself of how blessed I am and how important it is for all of God's children to hear of the restoration of Christ's church. And then instead of feeling discouraged, I just feel incredibly blessed, which I know I am. I truly have been blessed, not only with this gospel but also with an amazing loving family and awesome supportive friends. I am so thankful for all of my loved ones, for each and every single one of you reading this. You make my life better. Ok I gotta go, so until next week.....keep on  keepin on everyone!

With Enormous love from Ecuador, (sorry thats the best I can do as far as alliteration goes right now)

Hna Abbie Harper

Forgort to tell you, I got everyone's letters finally!!! woohooo! Thanks so much everyone, you are all the greatest! Also the pictures and drawings were fantastic family! love you all!

WHEN I WAS CRYING IN THE STREET AND IN THE AMBULANCE......HALF THE REASON IS BECAUSE I JUST REALLY REALLLLYYYY WISHED I HAD YOU WITH ME

Familiaaaa,

Mom,  I saw your questions but I don't think I'm gonna be able to get to them until next week. Because I have had the absolute craziest week ever. So let's start with the bad news shall we....and mom you are not allowed to call the office or anything. In fact, the nurse was like ya don't tell your family. for real don't tell them. But I have to tell you cause I wouldn't feel right not. But just know that I'm telling you more than they would tell you and honestly they don't know that much so don't calll!!! Ok you're probs freaking out but it's not that big of a deal.....the inevitable just happened....I got attacked by a dog. and it bit me. and there was a lot of blood. My skirt and left shoe are ruined, but anyways this is what happened....Oh it was yesterday. 

Our sacrament meeting isn't until 3 so we were passing by for our investigators in the morning and as we entered the dirt street of one of them there was a rounded corner up ahead. My comp was in front of me cause sometimes I just can't keep up with her so obvi she rounded the corner first. That's where the dogs were. So when I rounded the corner after her, the dogs were already there. (ie no time to take out my dog dazer grandma! haha) but ya, I still had my eyes on my comp after roundingthe corner and she was still walking fast 100%. Ok so I didn't even look down at the dogs. Which is probs a good thing cause the giant black lab was apparently charging me at the time. So ya, it totally got my left leg and I didn't even see it happen. I didn't even have enough time to think, Oh no, is this dog gonna bite me? Let alone retreive the dog dazer from my backpack. But needless to say, I screamed, "Hermana help me", but she didn't hear. 

So I had to run after her with my leg gushing blood.  She finally realized what happened but by that time it didn't matter cause the dogs had already left. All the neighbors came out and some old lady started dabbing my leg with a cotton ball and alcohol and one tied a dirty rag around it. Not super effective. I was scared I was gonna die from some sort of infection or rabies and I didn't know how to convery to everyone that I needed and injection like now. My comp understood what I was saying cause she's good at understanding me but I don't think she realized the siginificance of how important it was....So we started hobbling out to the main road to catch a taxi to the hospital but then the neighbors were like no, we called an ambulance, stay here! Then this guy has me sit on this step, which is just crawling with ants mind you, while he douses alcohol on my leg and yells in the phone to the ambulance that doesn't know how to find where we are cause addresses here basically don't exist. So we finally get in this lady's car and drive to the ambulance, which ended up just being a few streets away.

Oh I'm sobbing this whole time btw. Not cause of the pain, I mean it did hurt, but mainly just cause I didn't understand what was going on and I knew I needed injections. Oh and we sisters aren't allowed to leave the house with our cell phones so we couldn't call anyone. Finally a lady in the ambulance let us borrow hers, but guess what? Nobody answers cause they are all in church with their phones off. Not the nurse, not the DL, not the ZLS, not the president, not his wife. Nobody. So ya, I was totes scared, not gonna lie. In the ambulance they trying to ask me all these questions but I barely know how to answer and my comp didn't know that much and it was crazy. But they disinfected my leg and wrapped it up and gave me a shot in the butt for the pain. That was fun. Then I had my first ambulance ride!! Who would have thought that would take place in South America? Is it wrong I kinda felt like I was in a Grey's Anatomy episode?? haha 

Anyways, when we got to the hospital there were onlookers who heard the ambulance coming and when I got out they put me in a wheel chair and the Ecuadorians start taking pictures of the gringo with the bleeding leg in the wheel chair. nice. haha So ya, they give me a tetnus shot but that's all they can do becasue guess what....I forgot this part....apparently they can only know if a dog has rabies if it dies within a week after biting someone (at least thats what I have gathered, but i know it sounds weird) but while I was in the ambulance, the vecinos of where the dog bit me come running over screaming that the dog died. and we were like what?! It just dropped dead? nope. The vecinos strangled it. Talk about intense. I don't like thinking about it but I'm secretly glad. But I kinda wish they would have waited a week cause now idk if I have rabies. 

So we went home and finally got a hold of the nurse. She said she was gonna come over and check it out. (she's in Machala) so that made me feel better cause she's a gringo and talked to me in English. And President called us back and had a good chat with me and he told me to buy som amoxicillin, which I did. And we went to the clininc this morning and saw the doctor that is with the mission's insurance, she gave me some other pills to take too. They also said I can't walk for 4 to 5 days. So don't worry.  I'm being well taken care of. Hence, dont call the office!! :)  I'll send you the same pic of my bite that I sent to Pres Torres. It's really not that bad. The punctures are pretty deep, but they are just punctures, not tears. So ya, that's a plus. It's a bummer though, cause we missed our confirmations :( 

Oh, speaking of, we had 3 baptisms this week!!!  I figured I would save the good news for last. I know I'm rambling but I don't have time to make this an eloquent non repetitive letter. haha.  Anyways, little Clarla Vicente, who is 14, was baptized Friday night!! My first baptism!! It was so awesome. The smile on her face when she got out of the water was priceless.

Carla Vicente

Bolivar

And then Saturday Bolivar was finally baptized!! Him and Luciana finally got married Friday morning, which our zone leaders didn't give us permission to attend :( Which i was sad about, esepcially since we spent all earlier this week helping Luciana hunt down all the papers. ughh.. but whatevs, they got married and now Bolivar is baptized!!! 

Elias

And the third is this 22 yr old kid named Elias. The rest of his family got baptized last year but he was away at schoool in Quito. A couple of weeks ago, when he was home for break, we taught him a lesson and he accepted a baptismal date for the 17th. But then he left and didn't return until....the 17th. So it's a crazy story but to put it short, he was taught all the lesssons an hour before he got baptized. That would so never happen in the states....but my comp was like you know he has the desire and he's returning to school tomorrow night so if he wants to then ya, he can get baptized and learn what he doesn't know after. I was like bueno.... haha So ya that happened. He left for Quito again after his confirmation the next morning. 

Baptisms are the best! I sang a duet with Michelle sin piano at Bolivar and Elias's service.....lol right??? haha It was bad but these people can't sing in tune so I don't think they cared. I'll probs give you guys more specifics about the baptisms and stuff next week since this week won't be very exciting, with not being allowed to walk much. But just know I'm ok!!! Really. We made it to church for the last hour to congratulate Carla, Bolivar and Elais on their confirmations and everyone in the ward was all worrying about me and wanting to know what happened. The hermanas all fretted pobrecita!  que loco perro! etc etc. And all the men told me bien venidos a Ecuador! (Welcome to Ecuador)  Literally all of them said that. haha 

But ya, I'm being well taken care of by everyone so don't worry about me! I'm not gonna lie Mom...when i was crying in the street and in the ambulence and stuff, half of the reason is because I just really really reallllyyyyy wished I had  you with me or could at least call you. I wanted my mommy real bad :( but i have my "mammi" here in the mission and she's been helping me wash and wrap my wound. As she's said "es no igual, pero buenoooo..." haha (It's not the same, but it's all good) is basically a translation. haha. Ya so trauma and joy this week. 3 baptisms. So stoked on that. and we got Alejandro's, the 86 year old, baptism this coming Saturday!! So Machala is doing well overall. Sorry for the sporadic email and I promise I will answer your questions next week Mom!! Miss you all and love you so muchhh!!!! 

Oh...... PS send all emails by sunday night!!  cause we print Monday morning but don't write till the afternoon. So if it's not there by the time we print, I won't be able to read it (cough cough Rye, Dad, Shells, and Kenz.) I just printed them now anyways so I'll read them tonight, but if you wanna response, do it earlier!) Love you all Until next week...

Madness From Machala (well at least this week),

Hna Abbs Harper

Abbie in front of her apartment in Machala, Ecuador

Abbie, Michelle Valeria Garcia, Madelaine Gonzalez

Carla's Baptism

Carla's Baptism

Michelle, Abbie and Hermana Lujan

Abbie and her trainer, Hermana Lujan from Argentina