Keep on Swimming

Date: October 26, 2015
Week: 70 Otavalo, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Blas/ Lima, Peru
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito, Ecuador
Email Address: ronald.kimball@myldsmail.net

A pic from last week!
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

Dear Everyone,
I am feeling good but I don't really know what to write about this week. We were able to hear from President Richardson this week who talked about the power and authority that we have as missionaries, and the blessings that are promised to us according to our own obedience. I figured for this letter I could do a little review of how I feel about where I am so far in the mission and a little more specifics of my everyday life:

My mission is good. I mean it's a mish. Just feels long sometimes but then there's other times where I just want to do it forever. I guess you could say I have changed a little bit. Physically speaking, I have lost about 25 lbs so I really don't have Chucky (name my mom gave my stomach) anymore. The other missionaries don't believe me when I say I was fat. Now they just think I'm weak.... I really need to work on my beach bod. My tan obviously went away. It's sad...I miss being dark.  Now I'm just super white.

...If we are speaking spiritually, I feel closer to my Heavenly Father. I see His hand in my life even though it may appear it isn't there. I still can be immature sometimes but I also feel mature. I make jokes and people laugh but I'm also more aware of my surroundings, people, and their feelings. I honestly love my mission and appreciate the things it has taught me about being a human being and a Son of God.

I get lots of questions about the bugs. We have fleas in the bed. They gave us a spray to get 'em out but I still haven't sprayed down my bed. If it rains there are mosquitos but it hasn't been raining often yet. As y'all know about the mouse we killed but I am pretty sure there is a rat now because the poop that has been left behind is a little bigger than the last.

As for the people go, well I am with the indigenous (not sure how to spell that) right now so they all speak Quichua. They get drunk a little more often than others and they don't progress in the gospel easily. But they are people so you have to go out there and it give it your all everyday. We have church in Quichua so I don`t listen but I can honestly say that the gospel must be true. We speak different languages and live different cultures but we all live the same priciples and practice the same doctrine. It's just weird for me to comprehend that. We honestly do nothing differently from San Antonio, TX to Agato, Otavalo, Ecuador.

My favorite thing about the mish certainly wouldn't be the food.... I'd say my favorite thing is getting to know new people every few months. I love it. I have so many friends that I have left behind and even though I had just met them I feel that I knew them before this life. My favorite moment is having a weird dejavu feeling and knowing that this isn't the first time I am talking with someone. Things just click and it's awesome.

As I think about it coming to an end, there are days where I look back and can't believe the steps I have taken to get to this point.  Then I look ahead and see how close I am to the finish line. There is no experience like it. I know that right now I might want to be at my house with my family but then I remember the family that I will be leaving behind here in Ecuador. It just reminds me that I have eternity to be with my family but I only have two years to be with my family in Ecuador. That's what motivates me to keep on swimming.

I am sorry for not writing a great letter but there just wasn't much going on. This week we have transfers. I probably won't be with Elder Blas again or may be I will, who knows. He has been one of my favorite companions. I will never forget everything he has taught me and if I don't see him again in this life I guess I will in the next.
Watch this video:
Reflections

Well I am sorry for the tear jerker. It got me too. Don't know about y'all. I talk about facing our trails with God and to not try and do it by ourselves. How can we face our trials with God?
Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
By serving others we automatically cancel out our pride and we are easily able to see the way out. Let us remember who we all are, and face the trails that we shall surely see in the future with trust in Him and the will to serve others. This I know to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Elder Kimball

Bailey- Stopped recieving letters from you?
Clay- How's school? Hope you celebrated Back to the Future day!
Lexi- Love you and hope you are loving school
Leah- Love you and hope your loving your sisters
Bella- Love you and hope you are being obedient
Collins- Happy Halloween!
Capri- Happy First Halloween!
Mom- You act like I have seen the movie Grease before! Thanks for the package...I had just bought a toothbrush and toothpaste....
Dad- Really do appreciate your missionary efforts! We have success when we invite....
Elder Kimball
P.S. Sorry I don't have pictures this week,  There is something going on with my camera.  Also President Richardson called Elder blas and I out in zone conference and asked everyone who has heard of Agato before. And everyone rose their hands, and then he was like we all know about the fame Agato has as a sector that no one gets baptized in, and then he told them that we were baptizing every transfer. Felt good to be recognized, but then again would have been nice to just let it go unnotice... I am humbled by our success in this area.