2/15/16
Wow dang that is a big surprise to hear about the new bishop Baker. I did not think that would happen but that is cool. My birthday is on the 26th so just after changes. I don't know exactly what we will do but I hope I can get something nice for my birthday. As for that family they haven't gone to church recently and they still need to get the interview done. We believe it will be on the 27th if they go to church. Last Sunday (yesterday) they didn't go as the family that normally takes them wasn't there. Oh well. The most important thing will be to serve and help.
My toe is doing well and I am staying healthy. I believe there will be photos next week as this Sunday is when we get changes and I should get a new companion. We have no idea about what will happen with changes but this week we have divisions with the zone leaders planned so I might hear more but of course this Sunday we get the changes.
We were reading recently in Preach My Gospel about our purpose and Elder Holland also reminded us about what our purpose is. He said it doesn't matter if you baptize one convert. To your mission president it does but to God it really doesn't.
Well with the interviews it was all in English except when I prayed in Spanish which I found surprising. I guess I forgot to mention that part.
So as for the conference I am not sure if they have the photos yet. During the conference we were specifically told don't take photos. I am hoping there are photos and I promise to check. As for what we learned. A bit of the conference was a rebuke. Elder Holland spent some time yelling at us in English (his Spanish wasn't the best he had a translator to help.) A big portion was reminding us that we are representatives of the Lord and we have no right to demean our calling. Another big portion was him mentioning we can lose the sheep but we can't lose the shepherd. He also explained (in his own words I promise) that he sometimes goes so crazy because he understands the importance of our calling. He did literally strangle an Elder to start the conference. No one got sent home but he wasn't exactly happy all the time either. He loves us but wants us to step up. I believe the conference will leave a lasting impression on the mission.
Well I was called out to do an example for Elder Montoya of the 70. The example required two missionaries. He asked who was the tallest and I looked over to the tallest missionary in the mission (who is not me) and then I saw the finger of President Christensen. Pointed at me and saying Elder Throop. You can imagine that I was a little scared as I had to walk from my seat to the front with 180 something odd missionaries two seventies and Elder Holland all staring at me. I chose not to tell my Mission President that I wasn't the tallest. Elder Montoya then called for the shortest missionary in the mission, who was a Latino, to come forward. To show the extreme of difference in our heights, his head came to my hip. Quite the difference. He then asked us to do a specific example where the other 70 tied our legs together with a tie and then asked us to walk down the aisle of missionaries without touching each other and without falling. We walked. Then he told us to stop turn around then changed the instructions. He said put your arm on the shoulder of the other Elder. We walked back and it was easier. The point of the example was to show missionary work (represented by myself) trying to work with ward leader (the short guy) He said often missionaries are bigger and more powerful but asked what we noticed. We both had to answer. Still the point was to show that we had to work with the rhythm of ward leaders to get a better unity as it was hard when we were separate walking awkwardly. I mean I got to shake Elder Holland's hand but then I got a lot more attention being put in the front. I was a lot more comfortable in the back in my seat learning. After that I didn't answer any questions mainly because I had enough fun for that one day and it was pretty interesting being able to look Elder Holland dead in the eyes literally five feet away and being in front of so many people giving an example. So yes I did get called to do something and it was scary but I still did well and afterwards I didn't have to do anything else but listen. Yeah I paid close attention to Elder Holland and all of them but I did have to stand in front to be used as an example for a seventy.
That is what I will share for now. Next week I plan to bring my notes and I don't believe there are photos available yet.
Love you all and look forward to writing next week.
Elder Throop
Monday, February 15, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Interviews and Stake Conference, Carnival, Shower Sandals taken
2/8/16
Well as to this week a few of our days were harder to work due to interviews and stake conference here. We recently had our interviews with President Christensen this last Friday which lasted from like 200 til 530. Mine went great and he really wanted to hear about the goals I had and any concerns I had. I asked him about what would happen with Elder Holland if he knew anything but he doesn't really. All we know is on Saturday we get a conference with Elder Holland which I am looking forward to.
This last Saturday was stake conference so we were in the stake center from 300 to 830 which utterly destroyed our Saturday unfortunately. Sunday was the normal session of stake conference. By the looks of things we are postponing the baptism til the 20th as the people didn't go to church and instead went to the river. So we get more time to prep up their baptism and that makes our week less stressful.
Today nothing too fun happened right now although people around the country are going through what is called carnival which is a big water fight they have here. They have a thing called karaoke which is a foam they spray at people and the whole goal is to get people wet. Due to this celebration we can't do too much work as we can only go to appointments that are secure today and tomorrow. That makes it harder to work as it is really hard to get an appointment that is secure. Then on Friday we go to Quito and all of Saturday will be gone. Fun week.
We have done well working and we are striving to continue to work even through the rain and everything going on. There really is no end to the work.
With the shower sandals I have to use a different set as I somehow lost my other set. When I had my other set they worked great (the blue ones) but I believe when we went to the Christmas dinner in the bus someone possibly took them. It wasn't fun.
I am glad Ben is doing well and I hope you all do well. Look forward to telling you about Elder Holland next week.
Love Elder Throop
Well as to this week a few of our days were harder to work due to interviews and stake conference here. We recently had our interviews with President Christensen this last Friday which lasted from like 200 til 530. Mine went great and he really wanted to hear about the goals I had and any concerns I had. I asked him about what would happen with Elder Holland if he knew anything but he doesn't really. All we know is on Saturday we get a conference with Elder Holland which I am looking forward to.
This last Saturday was stake conference so we were in the stake center from 300 to 830 which utterly destroyed our Saturday unfortunately. Sunday was the normal session of stake conference. By the looks of things we are postponing the baptism til the 20th as the people didn't go to church and instead went to the river. So we get more time to prep up their baptism and that makes our week less stressful.
Today nothing too fun happened right now although people around the country are going through what is called carnival which is a big water fight they have here. They have a thing called karaoke which is a foam they spray at people and the whole goal is to get people wet. Due to this celebration we can't do too much work as we can only go to appointments that are secure today and tomorrow. That makes it harder to work as it is really hard to get an appointment that is secure. Then on Friday we go to Quito and all of Saturday will be gone. Fun week.
We have done well working and we are striving to continue to work even through the rain and everything going on. There really is no end to the work.
With the shower sandals I have to use a different set as I somehow lost my other set. When I had my other set they worked great (the blue ones) but I believe when we went to the Christmas dinner in the bus someone possibly took them. It wasn't fun.
I am glad Ben is doing well and I hope you all do well. Look forward to telling you about Elder Holland next week.
Love Elder Throop
Monday, February 1, 2016
More People At Church, Baptism soon?, Rescuing members, Improving Attributes of Christ
1/25/2016
Well last week was pretty great. The best news is that we got several people in church which was awesome as we have had weeks beforehand with no one in church. Today was pretty interesting as it rained like crazy. We had an activity planned beforehand but it got postponed to the next week due to the rain which was unfortunate. So we actually got to do all of our studying and now we get to write. We basically did nothing except have lunch and buy some food.
We believe that we should have a baptism the 30th. The better news is that we rescued a less active so we have been doing well. Our sector definitely has improved.
This time I will send some photos for you guys. We are working hard and also we are looking forward towards interviews which happen the 6th of February which is really cool.
So last Wednesday was a capacitacion about baptizing converts and teaching repentance. It was something we saw in Preach My Gospel and had been trying to do but we got more knowledge about those things. Now we hope to improve our attributes of Christ. The hope is that we can keep improving. So how was your week? Anything big happen last week?
I hope you guys are well and I will send those photos soon.
Love
Elder Throop
Well last week was pretty great. The best news is that we got several people in church which was awesome as we have had weeks beforehand with no one in church. Today was pretty interesting as it rained like crazy. We had an activity planned beforehand but it got postponed to the next week due to the rain which was unfortunate. So we actually got to do all of our studying and now we get to write. We basically did nothing except have lunch and buy some food.
We believe that we should have a baptism the 30th. The better news is that we rescued a less active so we have been doing well. Our sector definitely has improved.
This time I will send some photos for you guys. We are working hard and also we are looking forward towards interviews which happen the 6th of February which is really cool.
So last Wednesday was a capacitacion about baptizing converts and teaching repentance. It was something we saw in Preach My Gospel and had been trying to do but we got more knowledge about those things. Now we hope to improve our attributes of Christ. The hope is that we can keep improving. So how was your week? Anything big happen last week?
I hope you guys are well and I will send those photos soon.
Love
Elder Throop
 |
| Study Desk with Supplies |
 |
| View from outside new apartment |
 |
| View from outside new apartment |
 |
| View from outside new apartment |
Improvements in Sector, Special Conference, Toes again
2/1/16
With our sector we have had improvement these last weeks. Yesterday in church four people went and three of them had baptismal dates. And it is confirmed that the baptisms will be for the 11th as they are ready and should be converted just like their brother. With their mother we can't count on her as she hasn't gone to church for 4 years and the father has work issues. But they support their children immensely. We have seen many miracles helping people and have helped out a family of less actives immensely. Really that family is less active on paper only but in heart they are active. They are sealed and everything, true converts to God. Well there is one other family with potential as the mother absolutely loves church now. Her kids take a little more work. There are also some references that should progress extremely well.
I have exciting news for you guys. Next week on the 13th we get the honor of getting a conference with someone special. It is for all the mission and it was a surprise announcement. Elder Holland is who is coming and he will be talking to all of us. With interviews this week and the conference next week there is no end to the fun in the mission.
Next week I believe I also have to get my toes cut on one foot as there is some infection unfortunately. That is the only unfun thing that I have going on. I am doing well with my companion so it is going great.
With the photos you will have to wait to next week for more of me and my companion but I will do so. As for my shoes it normally gets soaked only with hard rain. One shoe needs a little repair on the bottom but I have a plan to help fix those ups. To dry them you take out the soles and after a day they dry. Here the weather alternates between rain and lots of sun which is kind of fun.
Love,
Elder Throop
Monday, January 18, 2016
Winter is here, Accent Good When Actually Talking, Converts vs Baptisms
1/18/2016
The weather is more rainy than anything and due to the rain both sets of my shoes got soaked. Not greatly, but it has been really wet so it is officially winter here. Today we didn't do much other than change our house to a new house that is a lot better. The new house is smaller but a lot nicer and in the center of the sector. If we can get people to come to church we should get a few baptisms as well this change which would be fun. It went well enough. However the capacitations (translation: Training) we got in district meeting were more on how to get baptisms and not converts and our big goal as a companionship is to get converts. It was slightly funny as the district leader (who isn't my companion) gave the capacitacion and at one point I looked at my companion with just a puzzled and this-is-wrong look. We looked at each other the same time and then raised our hands to point out what Preach My Gospel says. That is what happened this week.
I got to see a new missionary come in from Chile and he is just starting his mission. When people asked what time he had he said like 3 days as Latinos only spend like 3 weeks in the MTC which doesn't count towards mission time. I felt weird as now three people in our district of 8 have less time than I do and 1 person has the same time.
As for our German contact, we only taught him one time as the family he was staying with were really aggressive against the church. It was a cool lesson as he understood well, but he had opposition from the host family.
I will tell you how people react to hearing my accent. When I don't speak much and ask how much time they think I have they usually put 3 to 4 months. I say no 7 months. When I speak a lot more then ask how much time they think I have they say one year. Answer, 7 months. So I believe I have improved to the point where they understand however I have to speak or they think I am new as I don't speak much and have a young looking face (even though I am close to turning 19!)
I promise to get some more pictures (if I can) during this next week and send them to you next Monday.
This week we worked really hard, but no one except less actives went to church which was funny. The hope is we reactivate the less actives. I don't think there is too much more to say. I think I might send a few photos latter on today to you. Have fun and love you all.
Elder Throop
The weather is more rainy than anything and due to the rain both sets of my shoes got soaked. Not greatly, but it has been really wet so it is officially winter here. Today we didn't do much other than change our house to a new house that is a lot better. The new house is smaller but a lot nicer and in the center of the sector. If we can get people to come to church we should get a few baptisms as well this change which would be fun. It went well enough. However the capacitations (translation: Training) we got in district meeting were more on how to get baptisms and not converts and our big goal as a companionship is to get converts. It was slightly funny as the district leader (who isn't my companion) gave the capacitacion and at one point I looked at my companion with just a puzzled and this-is-wrong look. We looked at each other the same time and then raised our hands to point out what Preach My Gospel says. That is what happened this week.
I got to see a new missionary come in from Chile and he is just starting his mission. When people asked what time he had he said like 3 days as Latinos only spend like 3 weeks in the MTC which doesn't count towards mission time. I felt weird as now three people in our district of 8 have less time than I do and 1 person has the same time.
As for our German contact, we only taught him one time as the family he was staying with were really aggressive against the church. It was a cool lesson as he understood well, but he had opposition from the host family.
I will tell you how people react to hearing my accent. When I don't speak much and ask how much time they think I have they usually put 3 to 4 months. I say no 7 months. When I speak a lot more then ask how much time they think I have they say one year. Answer, 7 months. So I believe I have improved to the point where they understand however I have to speak or they think I am new as I don't speak much and have a young looking face (even though I am close to turning 19!)
I promise to get some more pictures (if I can) during this next week and send them to you next Monday.
This week we worked really hard, but no one except less actives went to church which was funny. The hope is we reactivate the less actives. I don't think there is too much more to say. I think I might send a few photos latter on today to you. Have fun and love you all.
Elder Throop
 |
| Christmas Zone Photo (just found) |
Combining zones, moving to Zone leader's house?, working hard
1/11/2016
Well the area is going well but we haven't been having much success getting people to go to church. Still we will see.
I have an anouncement we did get changes. I am staying with Elder Paul which is great news. They combined the zones though and that was a crazy change as they had like 6 districts but then cut it down to 4 districts. My companion was going to be district leader but then got bumped down to senior comp only which was what he had wanted. So we have a big zone. Today we helped one of our zone leaders out because the other one finished his mission. I got a little mini speaker from their house as the zone leader just wants the big speaker he had which was funny to see. But we plan on moving to the zone leaders house in the coming weeks if we can as it is a nicer house. We just need the time to do that. We have found lots of people and have had great lessons and we will be working in a new part now because of the changes to the zone.
Well I believe that was everything. It was a little nerve wracking getting changes but for the next change it should be fun and I believe we will get some baptisms this next change which would be a nice break for us as we have been working hard to help people out.
Have fun!
Love Elder Throop
Well the area is going well but we haven't been having much success getting people to go to church. Still we will see.
I have an anouncement we did get changes. I am staying with Elder Paul which is great news. They combined the zones though and that was a crazy change as they had like 6 districts but then cut it down to 4 districts. My companion was going to be district leader but then got bumped down to senior comp only which was what he had wanted. So we have a big zone. Today we helped one of our zone leaders out because the other one finished his mission. I got a little mini speaker from their house as the zone leader just wants the big speaker he had which was funny to see. But we plan on moving to the zone leaders house in the coming weeks if we can as it is a nicer house. We just need the time to do that. We have found lots of people and have had great lessons and we will be working in a new part now because of the changes to the zone.
Well I believe that was everything. It was a little nerve wracking getting changes but for the next change it should be fun and I believe we will get some baptisms this next change which would be a nice break for us as we have been working hard to help people out.
Have fun!
Love Elder Throop
 |
| Sunrise |
 |
| typical road |
New Year's Craziness, German investigator, Earthquake
1/4/2016
Well the area is going fairly well. We have a lot of problems getting people to go to church here which was unfortunate. For New Years here it was kind of crazy. There was a party that started New Years Eve below our house at two in the afternoon and lasted until 6:30 in the morning on New Years day. We had to stay all day on New Years Eve because of the parties and the drunks.
So to explain the traditions here. They light of bunches of fireworks for New Years make mannequins of wood and newspaper and light them with fire (and load those mannequins with fireworks and light them off). Something else, I didn't see this but I have heard about it. What it is is men dress as women and go and touch people. That is the basics. Lets just say it probably was good we were stuck. We didn't get too much troubles but a lot of the days we just walked because no one was there.
One of our investigator families is going to have a kid soon but we have good news. We have someone we contacted awhile back who is German that lives here. And we will teach him tommorow. I will send you a photo as proof. Have you gotten my photos? I just want to make sure as I was uncertain if you got them.
As for food my most favorite here is called ceviche de camaron. It is a soup that is really great here. Changes come this Sunday so we will have to see what happens. I don't like the seco de pollo here if it is done poorly (just look those up.) We have had rain but I have stayed mostly dry so no problems. I believe that is it for this last week but I will send you some photos this time as well of a few things here.
Oh one thing I forgot to mention. There was an earthquake in Esmeraldes on the 1st so that was a fun way to start the year. Nothing too bad but it freaked out everyone outside.
Love you all,
Elder Throop
Well the area is going fairly well. We have a lot of problems getting people to go to church here which was unfortunate. For New Years here it was kind of crazy. There was a party that started New Years Eve below our house at two in the afternoon and lasted until 6:30 in the morning on New Years day. We had to stay all day on New Years Eve because of the parties and the drunks.
So to explain the traditions here. They light of bunches of fireworks for New Years make mannequins of wood and newspaper and light them with fire (and load those mannequins with fireworks and light them off). Something else, I didn't see this but I have heard about it. What it is is men dress as women and go and touch people. That is the basics. Lets just say it probably was good we were stuck. We didn't get too much troubles but a lot of the days we just walked because no one was there.
One of our investigator families is going to have a kid soon but we have good news. We have someone we contacted awhile back who is German that lives here. And we will teach him tommorow. I will send you a photo as proof. Have you gotten my photos? I just want to make sure as I was uncertain if you got them.
As for food my most favorite here is called ceviche de camaron. It is a soup that is really great here. Changes come this Sunday so we will have to see what happens. I don't like the seco de pollo here if it is done poorly (just look those up.) We have had rain but I have stayed mostly dry so no problems. I believe that is it for this last week but I will send you some photos this time as well of a few things here.
Oh one thing I forgot to mention. There was an earthquake in Esmeraldes on the 1st so that was a fun way to start the year. Nothing too bad but it freaked out everyone outside.
Love you all,
Elder Throop
 |
| Pensionist Family |
 |
| Pensionist Family |
 |
| Pensionist Family |
 |
| Fires left from New Years celebrations |
 |
| Outside the apartment |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)