Abbie is Home !!!!

IT CAME OUT of NOWHERE and I'M STILL in SHOCK....

Wow, I seriously can't believe this is my last time writing home as a missionary. Especially since it came out of nowhere and I'm still in shock. I've accepted it, but let's just say I've cried more in these past few days than I think I have in my entire life. (and I cry a LOT people, so that's saying something) : )

So it was a normal week up until Friday morning after weekly planning when I get a call saying that I have cambios....there were a few things wrong with this situation...  1. cambios don't happen in the morning in my mission   2. I had not even two weeks being back in Cuenca   3. I was being told that I was going to Guayaquil....with all my stuff....a place I was 100% I would never be going back to permanently because of my skin. So I call Hna Wiscomb (my zone's nurse) just bawling, asking her if they were sending me home. She couldn't even understand me I was crying so hard. She was like no! Definitely not, it's jsut a cambio! But I knew better.....sure enough when we get to Guayaquil and the assistants pick us up, drop us off at the nurses house to sleep, and tell us that we have to be at the temple the next morning at 7:30, it became even more obvious (everyone goes to the temple before going home.) Oh, and when I say we, I mean me and Hna ynoñan; she traveled with me : ) 

Abbie and Hermana Maria

So anyways, the Lord gave me a tender mercy in the temple! We were sitting in the chapel area waiting to enter the sealing room when who comes walking through the door? Hermana Maria from Monay!!!! The one who was seriously like my mother, who loves me so much and i love her so much : ) So I whisper-scream, Hna Maria! She looks at me and almost screamed for real out of the shock of seeing me there. haha She came rushing over, giving me a huge hug and so I had the opportunity to sit by her throughout the whole session. It was great : ) So then from there, we go to the capilla where everything mission-wide goes down. Where President is there at a meeting with the zone of the office Elders. We walk in, sit in the back, and then President looks at us, smiles sadly, and says that there's one more thing he needs to talk about before closing...and starts saying that if you need to go home for health reasons that it's ok, etc etc. So I start crying. Then when we sing the closing song, Hna Ynoñan starts crying too. 

Then President ushers us out and calls me into a room for an interview. I'm still crying btw cause I already know what's going to happen. But it was a good chat. President was really sweet, loving and gracious and just poured out the compliments so that helped : ) He told me that I had gone above and beyond, that the Lord has accepted my efforts, and that it's ok now. That I have nothing to be ashamed about as I have served a full honorable mission because a mission isn't about time, but what one does in the time that they are there, the time that the Lord gives them, and that I have accomplished more than many missionaries do in 24 months. He told me that I have been such a great example for the whole mission and that he wishes that all of his missionaries could be like me and show as much strength as I have, etc. I really don't feel like I live up to all that but it was all nice to hear.  But ya, I was still sobbing the whole time, because there were just so many emotions. But the conversation made me feel more at peace, and while I am absolutely heartbroken to be leaving, like seriously devastated, I know I just have to trust in the Lord and in his timing and in his plan for me. 

Oh so all that went down on Saturday. Sunday we just went to church, we helped the nurses in their sector, etc. Then today was just another roller coaster of emotions because it's the first Monday of the month.....which means consejo (the mission leadership meeting). President still made me go and had me bear my testimony at the end. Which pretty much announced to the whole entire mission (well all the leaders) that I was going home. I dreaded doing it, cried through the whole thing, so who knows if they even understood me. But then I got lots of love afterwards from the Hermanas so it was cool at least being able to say bye to lots of lifelong friends that I have made here : ) 

There are so many things that I'm going to miss about the mission and it breaks my heart that this part of my life is now over and that I have to leave Ecuador and all of my Ecuadorian loves (the people she has grown to love). But I want you all to know that I know this Church to be true with all of my heart and soul and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this time to serve him and the people of Ecuador. I love my Savior and have such a rooted testimony of the healing power of the miracle that is the atonement and the peace and comfort we can find through it. Jesus Christ is our elder brother, our best friend, our redeemer and our savior. It has been such a pleasure helping my brothers and sisters here in Ecuador come to know of these gospel truths. It was such a joy telling them that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and that because he loves them, he sent his only begotten son to pay for OUR mistakes and OUR suffering so we could return to live with them after this life. And not only with them but with our families that we were given here in this life. We can become eternal familias, together forever, if we just obey the commandments that the Lord has given us and take advantage of the gift of the atonement in our lives. All our Heavenly Father wants for us is to be happy, which is why he has given us this wonderful gospel. All I want is for his children to be happy too, which is why I am so sad to be leaving this calling of preaching His happiness, but I know I will still be able to continue to do so in my daily life, just without a plaque. I'm so thankful for my wonderful, loving family and friends and for all of the encouragement, support and love you all have given me. I can't wait to see you all and be reunited : ) Prepare for the tears now....Para siempre dios este con vos.....

Con todo de mi amor,

Hermana Harper

the VIRGIN of CISNE was COMING to TOWN....

Well this past week has been a blur....on Tuesday I was working with Hermanas Catmull and Herrera

when at like 4 in the afternoon we get a call letting us know that both Hermana Herrera and I have cambios and that we had to be at terminal at 6. whatajoke. We were way far from home so by the time we got there and packed up all our stuff, let's just say we did not make the 6:30 bus they wanted us to take. haha But we ALMOST did. We only missed it by like 5 min, but they happened to do cambios on the very single most crazy day of the year in Loja. Why do you ask? Because the Virgin of Cisne was coming to town and everyone and their dog was driving to terminal or already at terminal to take a bus to Cisne (like an hour away) to walk back with the virgin the next day. It's like this creepy idol worshipping pilgrimage thing. So the 5 minute taxi ride from our house to the terminal turned into a 30 min ride. It was totes crayyy. But ya long story short I am back in Cuenca! and back in a trio. the worst, but whatevs. I'm with Hna Ynoñan from Peru and Nna Baca from Nicaragua and it's been an interesting week to say the least. And Friday and Saturday we didn't even work at all as Hna Baca got way bad stomach pains and was therefore in the hospital. So that was hectic. So I'm in the zone Cuenca Sur (which is the same zone I was in when I was in Tarqui. Monay was Cuenca Norte) and my sector is called Alamos. Hna Nazer and Hna Wiscomb are in my zone so that's fun! It's the first time Hna Wiscomb and I have been in a same zone together so we're pretty excited :)

We have a couple investigators with potential. One named Jaime who has a fecha for the 6th and one named Antonio who was supposed to get baptized this Saturday but we are waiting on a document saying that he's completely free of legal issues. Honestly, I still don't know too much about them since I only worked in the sector Thursday and Friday. and then Sunday a bit. Hopefully this week will be better. But it does feel good to be in Cuenca again, I love this city! 

Well I think that's all I got. Oh today in the house we watched 17 Miracles. Love that movie. cry every time. I'm so grateful for the early saints and for all that they endured and went through. It's truly an inspiration. Welp, August is on it's way out of here so looks like i'll be talking to you guys in September! chao!

Cariño de Cuenca,

Hermana Harper

Last pictures from Loja, before the Cuenca transfer.

oh ya I saw Hna Martin at the terminal last week when Hna Btw went home cause her comp had cambios too. my first time being reunited with my hija! love her.

I JUST FEEL LIKE PART of their FAMILY...

So let's start with the best part of the week.....MARIA GOT BAPTIZED!!! For a while we thought it might not happen cause she pretty much drank coffee every day until the last day she possibly could while still being able to be baptized. So we were pretty nervous but after that she just stopped completely! and Francis, her son too! They are so awesome. So like technically Maria was our baptism and Francis was the elders but honestly they are both converts of the 4 of us in my opinion. And not just us 4 but all of the missionaries who came before us to help prepare them as well. They are just so funny and Hna Bytheway and I just feel like part of their family. 

Speaking of Hna Bytheway, she already left! They called like a couple hours ago and within an hour she was gone :( triste.  Not gonna lie, it makes me a tad bit jealous thinking that in a couple days she's going to be hugging her friends and family and eating Cafe Rio on the blessed soil that is America, but then I just remind myself how much I love Ecuador and that there will be time to eat Cafe Rio later in life and I get over it. Plus, for the time being, until my new comp comes, I'm in a trio with Hna Catmull and Hna Herrera!! Whaaaaattttt Whaaaat! Did I tell you I was living with them? Well I have been and it's been so fun, and now I'm with them for a bit! My new comp could come later tonight or next week, who really knows. But I secretly hope it lasts at least a few days cause these girls are like my sisters. (Hna Catmull was one of my comps in the MTC and Hna Herrera was my first comp in Naranjal) so we gots history.

Well I'm trying to think of something funny that happened this week or something else memorable besides the baptism but I got nothing....Oh the president of Ecuador came and visited Loja so everyone was like freaking out. That was something. Oh and how could I forget! Our rama had a talent show so Hna Bytheway and I did the cups song thing! There's a video. I'll try and send it. Everyone loved it even though it was kinda lame. haha Well there are a lot of pictures to send so I'm gonna get on that. 

Now that Maria has been baptized we are lacking in the investigator department...We have a few but they are flojo and not progressing. So we will see what happens this week :) So crazy that all my friends are basically home now!! Although I'm pretty much in denial. haha Also HAPPY 26TH ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!!! best parents in the world. Thanks for starting our family 26 years ago! I love telling my comps your story. I hope I have a cool one to tell like you guys do one day. You two keep me grounded, motivated, and inspired. There is no way I would have made it this far in the mission or even in life without your endless love support and encouragement. Love you guys so much!!! :) Until next week....

Love from Loja,     Hermana Harper

My district

Hermana Maria Paz, this little old lady from the branch who makes us lunch on Fridays and always helps us visit people. She's like 67 but still hikes up and down all the hills of Loja with us. She's so awesome! But also slightly crazy, but in a funny, entertaining way. haha We love her so much!

The lady in the black coat starting teaching the Jimenez family 6 years ago! (She came back to visit and ended up marrying an Ecuadorian so now lives here) Her name is Mayra she's so awesome!

el bautismo!

I still have tons more pics to send bbbbbbbbuuuuuuuuuutttt the internet decided to start moving and 1 mile an hour so I guess they will just have to wait because my time is out. Love ya guys bye!

4 DRUNK MEN had us CORNERED....

Hola mis seres queridos,

So I think I'm gonna write my letter in bullet points this week because my thoughts are going all over the place. So here we go:

1) Hna Bytheway turned 21 on Thursday! We celebrated like all week long. haha On Tuesday we had cake in the meeting as a zone,  on Wednesday some recent converts in the rama invited us over for food and cake, then on Thursday, the morning of her birthday, we helped a hermana clean her windows and then she had a cake afterward. And then that night with our investigator Maria, we had cake and then we went home and made tacos and then Friday we made brownies! (we have an oven in our house because there used to be a senior couple that lived here so she had bought one! It's so awesome! a laundry washer too! It's seriously like paradise.) So I'm pretty sure Hna Bytheway had like 5 birthday cakes. haha And when we ate cake with Hna Maria, we had a cake fight war. It was so fun, we just love their family so much! Ok sorry that was a long bullet point. So I'll keep talking about Maria in the next one then....

2) Maria! She's the one that the elders used to teach that I told you about last week. It's still kinda awks but they said we can teach her so we are! If all goes well she's gonna be baptized this Saturday before Hna Bytheway goes home! She's just having a really hard timing quitting coffee aaaaand she sells alcohol in her restaurant too that she's gotta stop doing...but she has said that she will! And her son, Francis, that the elders are teaching was supposed to be baptized last week but didn't cause he broke and drank coffee (the whole family drinks it because it's always there in the restaurant) but now that his mom has FINALLY decided to be baptized he said he's gonna be better so they can be baptized together. So that's exciting! They are the Jimenez family. Maria has 8 kids and of the 5 that live here in Loja, 3 are already members. The first got baptized like 6 years ago so it's been a slow process for the Jimenez family to say the least. haha So pray for Maria and Francis that they can be strong and not drink coffee and be baptized on Saturday! :)

3) A few days ago we contacted a guy fixing his car and he told us that he didn't want to talk to us because in the Bible it says that women shouldn't preach and so that we were sinning. HABLAENSERIO!! Our jaws just like hit the floor and we looked at each other like you have got to be kidding me! So we were just like ya hermano esta invitado a la iglesia chau!. What a jokeee. haha But it was pretty funny.

4) Yesterday we were contacting this lady at a tienda and a drunk guy comes up to us and just starts rambling, telling us that he needs money, and that he's really embarrassed (he said he was really embarrassed like 80 times) and that he wasn't a bad person but people just attacked him and took all his money and like lifted up his shirt and was like look what they did to me! And he had all these scars. But they looked pretty old, not recent, and considering the marijuana leaf tattoo he had on his hand, I'm guessing they come from his shady past. So anyways, we just give him a folleto and invited him to church when 2 MORE drunk guys come up and start sharing their sob stories and we are like ok, we gotta get out of here when ANOTHER one comes up. So a total of 4 drunk men had us cornered at this tienda. We were like cracking up because the things they were saying were funny, but trying to remain serious cause we're missionaries and all. So ya, we just gave them all some folletos and got out of there. haha It was really funny though.

Well I think that's all I got worth telling for this week! My skin update is the same for those of you wondering. But I'm doing my best to stay animated and enjoy the mission for all that it is, the good and the bad :) I love this gospel, I love my savior, and I love the people of Ecuador and being able to share my testimony with them daily! It's the best. Love you guys!

Love from Loja,

Hermana Harper

I'M WAY EXCITED to BATHE in that 60 POUNDS of DEAD SEA SALT....

Ok..... so first and foremost I was indeed transferred! I got the call Wednesday night (that afternoon

Hna Torres called me and we had a nice chat. I love her; she's the best) and Thursday afternoon I was on a bus on my way to Loja! So that's where I'm at. It's way similar to Cuenca, just a little smaller so even a bit more tranquila. It's really pretty. I like it a lot so far :) and it's for sure nice to be in the cold again! The heat in Guayaquil is just ridiculous. So here in Loja it's still a district, not a stake. The church has even been here for like 30 years but I guess they just lack priesthood and tithing. So my branch, rama, is also called Loja. It's pretty small, only 40 people attended on Sunday.  I guess there are usually more like 60 or 70 but it's like vacation time right now so a lot of people are out of town. So I haven't even met the branch president yet, but all the members I have met have been super nice so I'm excited to get to know the rama more :)

My comp is Hermana Bytheway and she is awesome! She goes home in 2 weeks though so that's sad :(  She's the girl that was in my Chathamtowne ward at BYU! I honestly didn't think we were ever gonna be companions, but I'm way glad that we are cause she's super cool. I'm really excited to work with her for these next few weeks. I'm also way excited to bathe in that 60 pounds of Dead Sea Salt once I get back Mom. haha. Wow, I can't believe all the stuff you've gotten. 

Well as far as my skin goes, it's been pretty much the same, but I've only been in Loja for like 4ish days so I'm still hopeful that the change of climate and what not will heal it. President also put me back on Prednisone and I just remembered I think the name sounds familiar because isn't that what you take Dad when you want to taste? So isn't it like a really strong thing? Kinda scared for my future health then cause they've been giving me a lot of it....but oh well, if it works that will be cool. And bathing now hurts a lot less since the water is not hot so hopefully that means it's getting better too :) So physically is like the same but emotionally and mentally being here in Loja with Hermana Bytheway has been great for me. In this short time I have already learned so much from her and my animo has been renovated and I'm really excited to get the working going here in Loja! 

We have met a lot of people who have a ton of potential, and a couple even came to church on Sunday. One night we stopped and bought some hamburgers and invited the guy to church not thinking much of it. And to our surprise Sunday morning he comes walking in the door! He stayed for the classes too and really liked it so we are hoping we will be able to progress him this week :) We also had a really cool spiritual experience with an investigator of the elders. She hasn't really been progressing with them as she has problems in her life that she doesn't feel comfortable with confiding in the elders, but within 30 min of knowing us she told us everything. And the only reason we went to visit her is because a member told us that she would probably have a better chance of progressing with hermanas. But we have to get permission from the elders to actually teach her since she's their investigator so we shall see what happens. We already feel so much love for her, and even though she's been investigating the church for like 6 years, I feel like with a loving push from us we could get her to commit to taking the step of baptism :) With the help of the spirit of course. Well I don't have much else to tell as I've been here for mere days but thanks for all the worrying you've done about me. I'm doing better so no need to fret :) Especially Mom, Dad and Grandma. haha Thanks for all the prayers, fasts, and words of love and support. I have the best family and friends ever :) Can't wait to hear about all of the going ons in America next week. Love you all!

Love from Loja,

Hermana Harper

A cool castle thing in our sector! It's like the door to the city of Loja apparently. 

I WISH I had GRINGO TEENAGERS to HELP us ALL the TIME....

Hey there everyone,

Shout out to my cousin Blake and his new wife Breanna! Congrats guys. I heard the wedding was beautiful! :) Also thanks for the package family and Shelley! Loved it all, you guys rock, don't ever change ;)                                                             As always my mind is running with where to begin....I guess I shall start with Tuesday! We were on our way to lunch when we get a call from the zone leaders telling us to come to the church because there are a bunch of gringo youth who are gonna go on splits with all  of us. A bit confused  

we went on over there and it turns out that there was a hugeeeeeeeeee  group of gringos who were here doing service, like families. The majority of the dads having served their mission in the Guayaquil South mission over 20 years ago! One of which being a dad from San Clemente, Chad Fatheringham (don't know if thats how you spell their last name) there with his 16 year old son Cole. And they know Jim and Robin! Cole told me he would watch Deanne's kids some times. haha It was way cool being able to talk with people from home, reminiscing over Sano nights and what not. haha But anyways they helped build houses for some really poor people, chicken coops, and also gave free dental work to kids and missionaries! (there were like 6 dentists) 

So Tuesday two cute girls, Ellie and Shayla, came out with us for a few hours! We took them to our cita with Ximena and then contacted for a bit. We got a lot of attention with 3 gringos walking around together, especially since Ellie is way blonde. haha It was fun. I translated for the girls so they could share their testimonies while handing out folletos and a Book of Mormon or two. It was a really great day as sometimes mission life can be so routine and having something different to do was way fun. Which was why I was way stoked when we got the same call  the next day!! This time only one girl went out with us, her name was Morgan. With all the girls, I had them pick people to contact when handing out their Book of Mormon so it would be a little more meaningful to them later and Morgan picked an older lady selling empanadas and juice and stuff like that. She didn't live in our sector nor did she really accept the invitation to go to church, but after Morgan gave her the Book of Mormon and I translated her testimony of it for her, the lady got teary eyed, said she would read it, and said that she was really grateful that we took the time to talk to her and then gave us some juice. pretty cool. I wish I had gringo teenagers to help us all the time. haha 

So then the next day we went back again so my comp could get her teeth checked. They ended up pulling 2 of her wisdom teeth so we were there a while and there were a couple dentists who didn't speak Spanish so they had me help translate. So there's this 6-year-old boy in the chair and his mom is there with him, obvi. The dentist sees that he has 4 baby teeth on the bottom that are soooo rotten they have spread infection into the bone and the bone had disintegrated. I explained that to the mom and that the doctor wants to take them out and she said ok. So the doctor tries to numb the kid and the kid just starts screaming and crying and writhing around. So the assistant has to climb in the chair with him to hold him and his head down, while another assistant comes over to hold his legs and I'm holding his hands. After a long battle, they finally get the shots in. The dentist then realizes he got a jammed needle and the medicine didn't come out. It was one of those you have got to be kidding me moments that is just so ridiculous we are laughing. But luckily the mom or kid didn't understand what happened. haha But still they had to go again. round 2. Alright, so the kid is finally all numbed up, but now it's time to pull them. Oh my gosh, it was like the kid was being tortured he was screaming so bad! The doctor was only able to get 2 of the 4 out and then the mom had me stop him saying ya, no more, he's crying too much. Which is really sad cause he needed them out, but despite the dentist's and mine efforts to get her to understand the importance, she was like no, we will just wait for them to fall out. While in the mean time, his bone continues to disintegrate but what are you gonna do? So that was crazy.

One last experience this week is that we contacted a lady whose spouse of 12 years recently left her and her 3 kids, and whose cousin, who lived with her, got murdered a mere 3 months ago. The crazy boyfriend of the cousin killed not only her, but also their 3 year old daughter together. so tragic. We were able to share and testify to her about the plan of salvation and she cried, saying that she wants that for her and her family and that she wants to come closer to God and help her children do the same. She accepted a baptism date for  late August! However she couldn't go to church on Sunday as she had to go out of town to take care of her aunt or something like that. So pray that next week she can come! Her name is Diana. :)

Well life moves forward here in Huancavilca. My skin continues to suck, the challenges keep on rolling, but the blessings and miracles are rolling as well and I really do love being a part of the work of salvation in these crucial latter days. I know this is the work of the Lord. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else at this time in my life. Love you all!

Con amor, Hermana Harper

The lady who I always buy balones from in the morning! Balones are balls made from verde (plantains) mashed up and usually have cheese and pork. We can't eat pork so we just get them with cheese. They are sooooo good! I'm obsessed.

The  process

 

Our ward mission leader drove by in his ghetto van. haha Their last name is Redwood 

but they are straight up Ecuadorians with a gringo last name. weird right?

So on Friday, there were fiestas de Guayaquil! No one had school or work or anything. 

This is the flag of Guayaquil!

My Zone!

MEAT! so yummy