Chapter 78 - 18 Months

March 13, 2017

Hey Everyone!

18 Months Completed for Sister Tirrell and I

Well, here we are. This past week I completed 18 months in the service of the Lord and I couldn't be more happy. This time has gone by really fast and there are mixed feelings with it coming to an end. This is the last letter I will be writing as a missionary and I just wanted to leave you all with my testimony.

I know with all of my heart that God loves each and every one of His children. I know Jesus Christ is the son of God. He lives and He loves us more than we know. He came here to earth to complete the will of His father and thanks to Him we can return to the Father's presence. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness here upon the earth. I have no doubt of that. This is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I have studied and I have prayed and I know with even more surity than before that we have all the teaching of Jesus Christ. Everything we do in the church is true and is what is going to lead us eventually to salvation. I know that obedience is the first law of heaven and that we must be obedient if we want to one day return to live with our Father, His son Jesus Christ, and our families. I know that families can be together forever thanks to the priesthood power that was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. I know Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God. I know that the scriptures are true and that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He called prophets in the past and He has called prophets in our day. I know that Thomas S. Monson is called of God. I know that He, as well as all the prophets and apostles, receive revelation directly from our Heavenly Father-He leads this chruch through these chosen men. This is not a church that was created by man, nor is goverened by worldly theories or doctrines but rather is a church, and the only church for that matter, that is governed by God. I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know that it was written for our day and that if we read it carefully, we will understand our purpose here on earth and we will know what we need to do to be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father one day. I know The Book of Mormon helps us draw closer to God and testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that the priesthood power has been restored to the earth and that it is truly the power of God that is given to men to act in His name here on the earth to be able to carry out His work. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the Lord's work. He could do this work alone, but He loves us enough that He allows us to take part in this marvelous cause. I know that I was called here for a reason. I know that these people I have met, whether they received me or not, were put in my path for a reason. God has an eternal plan. His plan is perfect. Each and every one of us has a purpose here on earth and our Heavenly Father wants us to retrun to Him. I know that God loves us. I know that He is loving and merciful and is always there when we need him. He is perfect, as well as His son Jesus Christ, and I know that they want us to become like them. I know Jesus Christ died for us and that through His atonement we can return to live with Him. I know that only through the Atonement is it possible to be forgiven and to change. I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know us. Christ understands our pains and our trials. I know that God hears our prayers and He answers them. Maybe not in our timing or according to what we want, but He always answers them. I know our Heavenly Father is a God of miracles-I have seen them. I know that missionary work is very important. I also know that the only way to return to live with God is through baptism. There is no other way. We must follow the example of Jesus Christ-we must do as He did. I know He lives. I know He loves us. And these things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Eating Watermelon on our 18 month mark

 

Chapter 77 - God's Plan Is Perfect!

3/6/2017
Hey Everyone!

Knocking down some guayaba from a tree of a Hermana

So this won't be very long but I just want to share about how God's plan is literally so perfect and this is something the mission has shown me time and time again. Well, this week we were planning and we felt that we should go visit a familiy of members that lives in a part of our sector that we have never been to before. We knew they were going through some problems and we thought that we should go see them. Well, we go and see if some other people are home before going out to see them, but the people weren't home and we ended up going straight there. The mom wasn't home, just the kids and we were talking with them. Well, as we were there, the mom shows up. She looked really dishearted and sad. We shared a message about the atonement of Jesus Christ and the mom told us that she was really worried about some things that had just recently happened. On her way home she was thinking and really didn't know what to do. She said that when she saw us sitting in her house, it just gave her so much peace and she knew what she should do. The tears flowed and we could feel the spirit. I know that the other people weren't home before because we needed to go straight there. God's plan is perfect. We also received a reference when we were there because one of the friends of the daughter was there and we are going to go visit him this week, so that was a blessing. Also, a different day we were going to have a family home evening with a familiy who lives kinda far away and we went out there but when we got there, the mom wasn't there and we decided it was better to postpone it for another day. Well, as we were leaving, a moto taxi (our transportation around here in Jaramijo) arrived and two guys got out. We hoped in and went to another family. When we got to their house, the driver was like "hey, I need some council. I am a single dad, my wife left me and I live with my son. I have talked to lots of people, my parents, but I just don't know what else to do. I need some direction and I saw you guys and I think you can help me." wow. Again, the plan of God is perfect because if we had never gone to that family (even though they weren't home) we would have never found this son of God looking for the gospel. Wow, it just really surpizes me sometimes. Anyway, I know that God's plan is perfect and that everything happens for a reason. Have the best week!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 76 - I Never Thought That Moment Would Come

2/27/2017
Hey Everyone!

So this week went by in literally a blink of an eye. We went to the temple this week and it was so great. We also had a nurse conference and a multi-zone conference...so yeah. Time flew right on by. Being in the temple was really so great. It truly is the House of the Lord and one can really feel the spirit there. I just felt so peaceful and calm there..I didn't want to leave. Ah, so great. I challenge you all to go to the temple this week and I promise you that if you put forth and effort and go, that you will be able to feel God's love for you and feel great peace and tranquility. 

After the temple we had a nurses conference which was really great as always. Kinda sad because Hermana Colachagua and I are finishing our missions but I know the other hermanas will be great nurses too!

We also had our multi-zone conference this week. It was also really good, well the parts of it that we heard. There was a sick missionary that we had to take care of so we were in and out but the parts we did hear were super great and inspired and I know it's exactly what I needed to hear. Well, what really got to me was when President said "ok, now I want all those who are going home this transfer to come up to the front" ahhh....that moment when you know it's you but don't want to go up because you can't really believe that this moment has come. I have seen so many missionaries who were ending their missions go up and share their testimony and they always say, "I never thought this day would come" and I would think "that day will never come" but, well, it came. It was such a strange feeling to be up there with the other 8 missionaries, giving one of my last testimonies in front of everyone. It was a great experience and I could really feel up there the difference the mission has made in each of our lives. Each elder and hermana up there was so mature and their testimonies were so strong. The mission really changes lives. We come out here to change the lives of those around us who don't have the gospel but we, as well, in the process, change as well. We are our biggest convert. We change through the atonement of Christ and we go home completely different people. Well, time is flying by and I just hope to make the best of it. Hope you all have a great week!

Also,

I forgot to tell you about the bapism of Marilyn! She is the niece of Hermana Rocio that was baptized in December. She is super great. We are working with her mom too but it's a little longer process. It was crazy because it was planned for saturday night but when we got to their house they were like, no we're not going because it's too late at night, we're not going...ahhh what do we do, we thought! Well, at the end, we had the baptism at 8 am Sunday morning and she was confirmed at 9 am. The Lord works miracles!

 

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Elder Vogrinec and his comp, and Me and my comps (Go VHS!)

 

 

Chapter 75 - The Hand Of The Lord is Always Present

2/20/2017
Hey everyone!

Me and My Companions : Hermana Torres y Hermana Bustillos

So this week was good. We have two families that we are working with who are super great and I just love so much! One is the Anchundia Parrales Family and the other is the Arias Arcentales Family. Yep, mom, dad, and kids. This is what missionary work is about-baptizing families! Pray for them! Because they are so special and I want to help them get baptized! 

Anyway, so I just wanted to say that the hand of the Lord is always present. This is something that has always surprized me in the mission-just how much He is actually there for us. Sometimes the whole world comes crashing down on us or we have the worst day ever or the day is just normal but if we look, we will always see the blessings of the Lord in our lives-in that particualr day. Anyway, being a mission nurse has really helped me see this. Sometimes we literally have NO time to work in our sector and yet we are able to have baptisms and people go to church...not logical, but it happens... for example, this week we didn't have hardly any time to teach lessons because we had to write these reports that we always send and go to the clinic and we had to call everyone and we didn't have that many lessons. Until Saturday we only had 1 person committed to going to church and 0 new investigators. Well, on Sunday, 7 people showed up to church (and that's a lot of people and it's even more amazing because on Sunday it was national elections (yes in Ecaudor and I think in most of South America they all vote on Sunday. like church is only an hour and then everyone goes and votes...yeah) and so everyone was voting but 7 people came....miracle) and we also ended up having 4 new investigators at the end of the day. wow. I don't know about you but that's what I call a miracle. The Lord blesses us so much and we need to learn to always be grateful for what He has given us. Anyway, I hope you all have a great week and look for the little blessings and tender mercies in your lives! Love you!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 74 - Si no hay pruebas, no hay progreso

2/13/2017
Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a good week! Also, I wish you a Happy Valentines Day tomorrow! My valentines are a peruvian and a bolivian haha I love my companions! This week was a good week. It didn't rain like all week which was good BUT on Sunday it rained like CRAZY and there were not a lot of people in church. wow. It rains a ton here. I think it rains like probably just as much as in Utah but the difference is that I can't just hop in my car and protect myself from the rain...I have to just walk right on throught it, with the rest of the members and investigators and so it's a little more complicated. Before the mission it was like oh, how great, rainy weather, I'm gonna just sit here curled up in a blanket and watch a movie...now it's like oh no, it's raining cats and dogs and I have to go out and try to convince people to let me into their house to share a message about Jesus Christ....I don't know if you get my picture but it's just a little different now...haha but it's all good.}

The title of my message "Si no hay pruebas, no hay progreso" means "If there are no trials, there is no progress" I think I have mentioned this before in an email but I was just thinking about it the other day and it just really rang true to me. This is somehting that President Dennis would say and it is so true. Sometimes I tend to think Ah, why are there so many challenges! When you're a missionary you turn into like a professional problem solver and it's not easy sometimes. And I was just thinking Ah.....there are so many good people here, why are there so many trials!? And then it hit me. It's because no one is ever going to have an easy conversion. The word itslef denotes a change. To convert from something old or someone you were before to someone new. These people are changing, leaving behind their old ways of life and taking on something totally new and if you want to acheive a true change, it takes a great effort. You can't keep doing the same things and expect to receive different answers. If you want a different result, you have to do something different. And that's what each of these people are doing. No convert is ever going to have a problem-free conversion. Sometimes as missionaries we just think that they will read and pray and go to church without any problems and then sometimes get all stressed out when there are set backs but we have to understand and that's just how it is. We are actually helping these people. When they have these hard times and then turn to the Lord, they are building their faith and becoming truly converted. It's the same with us. The trials we have ony shape us into who the Lord wants us to be or become. It's called the "refining fire" because it's hot and it's hard and we feel the pressure sometimes when we are trying to change but it's necessary because if we don't go through that, there is litterally no way we can change. Anyway, I was just thinking about that the other day. We have found some good families and I know that because they are soo good, Satan is going to work hard, but we are going to work harder. The mission is hard sometimes because it is literally a constant battle but in the end we will end up triumphant.

Keep up the good work.

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 73 - The Final Countdown

2/6/2017
Hey Everyone!

So, not too much to write this week. Well, we had cambios and now I am in a trio (again) here in Jaramijo with Hermana Torres (from Peru) and Hermana Bustillos (from Bolivia) and it should be really good. Being in a trio here actaully helps us a lot because we are able to visit more people and go on more splits so basically the Lord is just hastening His work here in Jaramijo, I am excited. 

Also, I am going to train Hermana Bustillos as a nurse...so say hello to my second nurse daughter haha. Here we go. She'll be great! :)

So, with transfers and everything overwith, it looks like Jaramijo is my final resting place. I will die here in Jaramijo (finish my mission) and I am pretty good with that. I honestly can't think of a better place to finish it all off. This is the final countdown, only one more transfer and then it's over. Time has gone by really fast! Wow! I only hope I can make the best of it! 

Just one thought to end. Yesterday in church someone asked the question "are we being obedient because it's the law or because of the principle?" It made me think. Do I obey simply because I have to and there are commandments? Or do I obey because I love the Lord and truly want to follow Him? I want you all to think about this in your own lives...do you keep the commandments because you feel like they are "rules" or because you truly love the Lord and want to follow in His paths. I leave that thought with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 72 - And You Thought That Proselyting With Your Mission President Would Be Nerve-Racking

1/30/2017
Hey everyone!

So this week was pretty eventful. First thing, we had a world wide mission conference this week and they announced some changes in missionary work. Most of them wouldn't seem like a big deal for you guys but it was pretty big for us. Among all the changes, some small changes happened to the key indicators we now report to our leaders but the biggest change was to our schedule. Now we don't plan  at night, we plan in the morning, which is super weird and new, but I think I like it. And we have the option to choose how long we do companionship study and now there's more time on pday and just a lot of things but mostly what's most important to know is that this is all so inspired. It was designed to allow us as missionaries to use our agency and choose to use our time wisely. They said they did this to help us so that when we get home we will use our time wisely and keep up the habits we gained on our missions.....so that's a good thing. Anyway the conference was super good and we also had a multi-zone conference which was so inspired and amazing as well, much revelation was received there.

But something even bigger happened this week. So I always would hear about when the mission president would go out on visits with some missionaries and I always thought wow, that must be nerve racking....and then on friday night we get a call from the stake president and he's like hey hermanas Elder Nelson Ardila (an Area 70) will be here tomorrow (because we had stake conference this weekend and he presided) and we were wondering if you guys had any investigators you would like to go visit with  him.............uhhhhh....... yeah! So basically we went on visits with an Area 70, the stake presidente and his wife, one of his counselors and his wife, and the branch president...oh and us...can you talk about a small but incredible powerful little army made up of the Lord's chosen servants! Wow it was such a neat experience. He taught me so much about teaching people not lessons and using the things people know to teach them the gospel and asking inspired questions. Wow. He brings the spirit so strong and the people can tell he is a servant of the Lord. We were just walking down the street and the people were staring at him and it's because they can see the light of Christ that radiates from him and I think, in a small way, that happens with us too. They can see our light of Christ and that's why they stare at us and are drawn to us. As members of the chruch in general too, they can see somehting different about us and it's the light of Christ-Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in Heaven. Well, needless to say, when you teach with an area 70 you start the lesson but then they take the lead and you just follow.,they are so intune with the spirit and you can just tell in their voice they are chosen serants of God. Wow such a neat experience. I will never forget it. Anyway, have a really really great week and remember to always share the gospel!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 71 - Downpour

1/23/2017
Hey everyone!

Not too much to write about this week. On friday there was literally a downpour and I attached a picture of Hermana Tirrell and I in our rain jackets ready to preach the gospel. 

We all went out in ponchos and jackets and we went out for like two hours and then had to come back because we were literally soaked to the bone.....but it was okay. We were all praying that it didn't rain on Sunday because if it had rained, a lot of people wouldn't have come to church BUT the Lord answers prayers and it didn't rain! And people came to church and it was all good. The family that I told you about last week, the one that contacted us, went to church! There names are Ricardo, Katherine, Dileydi (8) and Jesus (2). They are so great and willing to hear the gospel. We are going to extend a baptismal date to them this week so pray for them! There are a lot of people here in Jaramijo and I just want to baptize them all! Because the time is going by way fast and I just want to help as many people as I can. Ah, these people need to come to church. Poco a poco. Little by little. Also there is another lady Paulita that has a baptismal date for the 4th and she's really great. Also a guy named Jefferson that's 22 and wants to change his life, he's great and pray for him too. Ah, really there's a lot to do here and I need to just get lost in the work. Something that an hermana said in relief society yesterday really hit me. She was like yesterday is history and it's something we can learn from, tomorrow holds things only God knows but we have to today to work with and we need to make the best of it. Her point was that we have to stop worrying about the past because it's over, we need to move on. We can't worry and dwell on the future because we don't know what God will put in our path, it's unpredictable. We only have today and we need to make the most out of today. I really like it and it helped me refocus on my purpose. I need to focus on the right here and the right now. Well, this is not very long but I hope you all have the best week!

Chapter 70 - We Did Not See That Coming...

1/16/2017
Hey everyone!

So there are a few things that happened this week that we just did not see coming. Well, the first one I did see coming. And what was coming at me you might ask? Three huge angry Ecuadorian dogs. Oh my, I almost died. I was on companion exchanges and in a new sector with another Hermana, Hermana Franco, and we are just walking down the street when these dogs come at us...ahh. I saw there big teeth and everything...ahh but it's okay. They didn't bite me...but I almost had a heart attack. And then like the same thing happened the next day...but only with one dog, but still...Ah I've never had so many problems with Ecuadorian dogs before...but it's okay. I hope that was the first and the last time that happens!

Second thing we did not see coming...so my companion and I are just walking to lunch on Saturday when this big gust of wind hits us and my companion is like "something got in my eye" We try and get it out with water for like 10 minutes, we try with eye drops, we try everything but my companion like cannot open her eye because it hurts so much....so we end up having to go to the clinic in Manta so that they can get these little rocks out of her eye. I could see them but we couldn't get them out. We go to the clinic and guess what...no ophthamalogists because it's Saturday and no one is working...we go to like 5 clinic and call like 7 phone numbers (which were all incorrect by the way) and nada...We finally end up at a clinic that attends to emergencies 24/7 and they come and help my companion....they cleaned out her eye and took out 5 little rocks! Crazy! And then there were problems with how we were going to pay and all sorts of crazy things...because that's how things go with me...they are always crazy...I think Heavenly Father thought it had been too long since I'd had a crazy nursing adventure so He gave me a new one....I don't know why these things always happen to me...I think I attract them or something...haha but then we left the clinic, my companion with an eye patch of gauze on and we go home so she can rest. It was hard because we wanted to go visit the people who were going to go to church the next day but we couldn't. The hermanas from Jaramijo 2 helped us out but it was still a bummer. The next day we went to church (yes my companion with her eye patch, but with sun glasses on) And everyone thinks I like punched my companion in the face or something haha not really...but yeah. Not that many of our investigators went to church BUT the Lord is never in debt with His blessings.

The third thing we did not see coming were ALL the blessings. On Sunday we visited a recent convert who has familiy members who are not members that we are going to visit. We also met a less active that wants to come back to church whose children aren't members so that's good. And then we topped off the night with a miracle. So we were looking for someone to teach and we went by a contact we had made but she couldn't meet at that moment so we left and stood under a light post to look at a message we needed to send. While we were standing there, we hear "Hermanitas" and this little kid had called to us. I didn't know who it was but we went over there. The sister said she was a less active and she lived in that house with her friend and her friend's family and they had plans to go to church that day but they couldn't because her sister dropped by but they were going to go......! Like by their own free will. And this was amazing. The Lord answers prayers, and not just that, he just freely gives us tender mercies because that day in the morning I was like "Ah, why is it so hard to get people to come to church sometimes? Sometimes I feel like it's like pulling teeth (haha try explaining that phrase to your companion in Spanish) I was like I wish we had people that actually really wanted to go to church" WOW can you say perfectly answered prayer? It was sooo cool! And the couple is married and has an 8 yr old and a 2 yr old and they are excited to learn more and go to church. Wow. Such a miracle. I know that the Lord is preparing people and I know that He is never in debt with his blessings. Keep your head up, the Lord wants to bless you. Have a great week! I love you guys!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 69 - Sweet 16!

1/9/2017
Hey everyone!

Baptism of Rocio and her two kids

Not much time today but I have pictures and they are worth 1000 words right? Well this week we extended a baptismal date to a sister named Paulita and she is so sweet. Also we have a lot of good families we are working with. One family, they are seriously golden. There name is the Soledispa Family and I love them with all my heart. The dad already looks like a future stake president. So good. But pray for them because Satan knows how good they are and he does not want them to progress, we've already been able to see that. But I am going to fight for this family because I KNOW they have so much potential. Anyway, where much is given much is required. We just have to give it our all and we will win out because we will have the Lord on our side! Good always wins! God's side always wins!

Also, ps, I completed 16 months today....CRAZY. 

Love,

Hermana Roylance

2 Gringas made lunch today

We went to Montecristi today and it was fantastic! Yay Jaramijo!

 

Chapte 68 - They are what keep me going......

1/2/2017
Hey Everyone!

Hope you all had a great new year! All is good here in Ecuador. I can't believe I spent all of 2016 in Ecuador...crazy...time flies. But I have enjoyed every minute. Well some minutes no but there are always ups and downs. But the thing about the mission is that the downs are that down and the ups are the highest ups of the ups. There are so many good experiences that I have had and will remember forever. Here we go with 2017....we'll see what it brings. Oh! one change for 2017....there is now a second sector in Jaramijo. There are 4 of us here now and I am so excited for that because that means we will be able to help the branch become a ward. Double the missionaries, double the baptisms, like quadrouple the baptisms! Hermana Tirell (from Washington and from my group) and Hermana Mayo (from Peru, nueva, she just started her mission). So this will be good.

This week we went to a nursing in conference in Guayaquil and that was good. It was the last time Hermana Hawkes was going to be with us and that was kind of sad but it was good to see the other Hermana nurses and Hermana Santos. She is seriously so sweet. And she made us peruvian dessert which was delicious (arroz con leche y masa mora).

Also I want to tell you about the people here. They are honestly so awesome. Like I am just so surprized at how many great people there are here. We are working with varios families and they are what keep me going. When I feel discouraged or sad or something, I just remember that we get to go visit them and it always cheers me up. When people just get it, you feel good. When people recognize the spirit, you feel even better! Like this week we visited an hermana, Narcisa and we had taught her the restauration one day and then went back the second day and she had said she felt a peace that "she hardly ever feels" when she prayed about Joseph Smith so basically she received an answer about that and then we went back again and were teaching the restauration to her daughter and hermana Narcisa pracically taught it to her daughter (Hermana Roylance just sitting there, jaw dropped, no words). That was awesome. They are great. THEN we found a golden family of 5. We went to visit them on Saturday and I was like hmm I don't konw if they are going to accept us because it's new years and then we went to their house and there was lots of music and I was like, they're not going to let us in, BUT THEY DID. Blessings. And we taught all 5 of them and the spirit was so strong. They get it. Like the hermana cried during the lesson and she said it was because she just felt so good, such peace. It was indeed the spirit. Then the dad was like, well at the beginning of the lesson he was like wow you can speak pretty well for only having 15 months and I was like yeah well okayish and then at the end of the lesson he was like, now I get it, now I understand why you can speak so well, it's the spirit. WOW soooo good. There are no words to describe how we felt. BUT please pray for them becase they are really good and Satan knows that and so he's going to work really hard. 

I ALMOST FORGOT. We had 3 baptisms this Saturday... Rocio and Johan and Dayanna were baptized and it was soooo good. I was so happy. Next week I'll send you pictures. 

Love,

Hermana Roylance

Chapter 67 - The Best Christmas Yet!

12/26/2016
Hey Everyone!

Christmas S'mores

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! This Christmas was listerally the best! It was like a week long of festivities. Well, it kind of started las week with the even in Guayaquil that I told you about but then THERE WAS MORE. So on Tuesday, we had a little family home evening/multi-zone conference with Zona Manta, Portoviejo, and Bahia. So fun. They had little messages they shared with us and then each zone did a skit and they were so funny. ah man, someday I will show you the video because I don't think it will send. Anyway, we had a dinner too and yeah, all good on Tuesday. Then on Friday we had a dinner as a Zone with an Hermana from Manta who made it...it was sooo good. Turkey and rice (because...Ecuador) and fruit salad and cookies (yes, Christmas cookies...Ecaudor version, but nonetheless they were sugar cookies and actually pretty good) and cake and cupcakes (she spoiled us) and so that was great as well. Then on Sunday, on Christmas, we went to church and we had 5 investigators there which was like the best Christmas gift ever....3 of which were Rocio and her 2 kids, Johan and Dayana. They are probably my favorite family. They are going to get baptized on the 31st and that makes me super happy. But like in the morning we are going to meet her to go to church and we just see her coming down the road and we're like WHERE ARE YOUR KIDS?! (because if her kids didn't go to church that Sunday, then they all couldn't get baptized together on the 31st so we talked for a minute and then persuaded her to go back and we got her kids and we all went to church...also my companion forgot her nametag that morning and we were running late...BUT we got there and all was well. My companion and I sang a special number in Sacrament meeting. I sang the first verse of Hark the Harold Angels Sing in English and then we both sang the second verse in Spanish..it went pretty well. And then we both gave talks about Christmas and about Christ. They were great. All I prayed for was that my message could touch the heart of someone. Well, I know the Lord is mindful of us and is in the details because after sacrament meeting, one hermana came up to me and said "Thank you so much Hermanas for your messages, they really touched my heart." Ok can you say direct answer from God. He answers prays, I am telling you. Anyway, then that afternoon we went out to work. This year was different because last year there were rules where we couldn't leave the house the whole day on Christmas but this year we got a letter from the area saying we could so we working and let me tell you it was awesome. We had to avoid the drunk people...but it all went well. We went and visited Rocio and, oh my she is so cute, she gave us little bracelts that they had bought for us! I will never forget the look on her face when she gave them to us. It filled me with so much joy I cannot describe it. Not the fact that it was a present but just the fact that someone valued us so much to buy us something and think of us touched my heart. That is a memory I will never forget. In the night we made smores (a new adventure for my companion) and that pretty much summed up the night. Overall, it was a very memorable Christmas. We went out and worked and did just what Christ would have done and that is the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for all your love and support. Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

FHE w/ President and Sister Santos

Zone Christmas Dinner

Chapter 66 - What A Christmas

12/19/2016
Hey everyone!

The 8 of us that stayed in Guayaquil in one house! Talk about crazy...and talk about having to share showers...haha

So this week we had almost no time to work in our sector because we went to Guayaquil on wednesday and didn't return until Sunday...talk about crazy. Let me just say I never ever want to travel and be away from my sector 4 days and have to verify various baptismal dates ever again! Ah, so hard. Trial of my faith and patience. But it all worked out, our zone leaders and hermana leaders went to our sector and taught our people so that's good! It was hard to coordinate everything while being so far away, but the Lord blessed us and helped us and even though everything didn't work out how I thought it would or how I thought it should, I know the Lord knows best and we will be blessed for trying. 

Anyway, so the reason we went to Guayaquil was because there was a huge Christmas event in a park called Parque de Las Semanes and it's HUGE. They told us it's one of the biggest parks in South America. Anyway, my companion and I were part of the choir and we sang prelude music before the show started. The purpose of this was to attract the attention of the people so that they would come watch the show. The show included different cultural dances by the members and choirs and orchestras (all from the members, so cool, there was so much talent) and then there was a presentation and message about Christmas and the birth of Christ and it was sooo good. Missionaries from Guayaquil North, South, and West missons sang in the choir and we sange like 10 songs and they were so pretty. Also there were nativities set up all around with missionaries as the figures and the people could go there and take a picture and then after we wrote down their information so that we could send them the picture...and also send the missionaries to their house....I don't know who thought of this idea but it was genious. So many references! Too bad they are probably all for Guayaquil...but it's okay..it's all the Lord's work! Anyway, it was so fun to be there and to feel the Christmas spirit, and most of all to feel the spirit of Christ. I won't soon forget this Christmas, it is definitely one to remember. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! Love you all! Feliz Navidad!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

 

These were the live nativity sets with the missionaries in them. Genius!

me and Hermana Otero y Hermana Torres (the one with the red bow) and in the back ground is where we sang, in a big accoustic stage.

Chapter 65 - Transfers and Training

12/12/2016
Hey everyone!

Fun Fact : I think my knees are broken...jk

So can we just talk about how that was the shortest transfer ever? It was only 4 weeks and the next one coming up is 8 weeks...crazy. Anyway, BOTH my companions had transfers...Hermana Tantavilca and Hermana Reyes both left me and now I'm here with Hermana Torres. She is from Peru and is super sweet. She was being trained as a nurse and now I'm going to finish her nurse training...here goes nothing...haha but I know it will be good. Also I completed 15 months in the mission...that was crazy too. Time is flyin.

This week we had a lot of people in sacrament, which was good, but I know we need to keep up the hard work if we want these people to get baptized. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with how many people there are and how we have to veryify and teach everyone and now we are only 2 instead of 3 and it's seems like kind of a lot sometimes but I know the Lord will help us. I trust in Him. There is literally no other way we can do this work without Him. This week I really came to understand The Atonement better. We had a really great companionship inventory this week in weekly planning and wow, it really opened my heart. We talked about everything and how we were feeling and things we needed to work on and it just hit me how much I depend on the Lord because I have so many weaknesses and I want to change but I literally can't change without His help. Only through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ can I, and all of us, become the people He wants us to be. The Atonement is not just for simply repenting of your sins but it's for realizing your weaknesses and receiving the strength to change and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I am sure many of you already realize this but it just hit me really hard this week. I have a lot of things to work on and every day I pray to my Heavenly Father that he will mold me into the person He would have me be. I challenge you all to do the same. Pick a Christ like attribute that you feel you are lacking and really focus on developing it this week. Study it out, read the scriptures, preach my gospel, and talkes on that attribute and I promise you you will feel the love of the Savior more abundantly in your life. I love you all and wish you the best!

Love,

Hermana Roylance

PS Happy Birthday shoutout to the BEST dad in the whole world! Happy birthday dad, I hope it was the best!