103

Date: March 28, 2016
Week: 91 Iñaquito, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Nielson/ Parma Idaho
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

A mural by the Boy Socuts of South America....
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

They got their Grafitti merit badge!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

103 people we contacted this week! Just kidding we didn't contact 103 people...That would have been cool, but instead the little sore throat I had, turned into 103 degree fever. Not fun especially in Ecuador. My throat feels as if I swallowed a hundred knifes but it's all good.

Elder Nielsen and I taught by the Spirit like crazy this week. We are teaching the Guamaninga Family. The wife, Gabriela, is a member along with her son, Sebastion. We are trying to reactivate them both but the husband, Vladimir, is being real lame! We walked into the lesson, and we hadn't really talked about what were going to share. We went over their commitments to come to church and basically tried to make Vladimir see that he was doing anything that we were going to tell him to do.

Elder Nielsen decided to teach about Eternal Families. I followed his lead and we both bore our testimonies on the opportunity we have to be with our families forever.  However, Vladimir wasn't quite catching it yet! So I recieved an impression to share a video by the church called Families are Eternal. It was probably made in the 90's because it basically was a slideshow with music in the background. So I decided to ignore that impression because it isn't that cool, plus I wasn't sure I even had the video. Turns out I had the video.

So I started looking around to see if they had some sort of updated technology to plug my USB into. I paused in the middle of the lesson and asked if they had some sort of TV or computer that would play a video from a flash drive. They said no...So I just sat there like an idiot asking myself, why I would ever listen to the Spirit! Then Vladimir says that we could use his laptop. I then found myself repenting asking forgiveness because the impression worked. By the end of the video we had everyone in tears and they decided they wanted to be an eternal family.

Elder Nielsen made me a cake!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

The cake the Ocarez family made me.
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

And of course the aftermath of pushing my face into the cake!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

My brthday was fun! Elder Nielsen made me a cake, so that was awesome! The Ocarez family also made me a cake, but they stuffed my face in it. Look's like they like doing that here in Ecuador.
Well not much is going on! I love you all and wish y'all a Happy Easter!
Elder Kimball

The closest I could get to an Easter picture, plus I'm showing a little leg!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Bailey- Thanks for the insta shoutout. I swear you use the same pic every year...
Clay- Honestly, I love it that you think that I'm going to come home like a midget and you're going to be able to beat me up.
Lexi- Thanks for inviting me to your Harry Potter watching Marathon.
Leah- Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Bella- Hope you enjoyed Botanical gardens! I still remember that field trip...
Collins- Looks like you enjoyed the easter egg hunt. Did you get the one dad puts a hundred dollars in?
Capri- Well you look like you're enjoying life! You are one blessed baby!
Mom- Love you and hope you are having a wonderful Easter. Enjoy Conference!
Dad- Thanks for all the pics! I love ya!
Elder Kimball

Muchas Gracias

Date: March 21, 2016
Week: 90 Iñaquito, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Nielson/ Parma, Idaho
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Elder Nielsen and I. I got my fingers thats why they are bandaged with the Sesame Street band aids.
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Well I'd like to send out a massive thanks to all that remembered my birthday. Can't believe how fast it's been. Y'all have been with me since day one. I don't have much time since I sort of had a massive overload of letters this week but I guess that's a good thing. :)

We are still teaching Vladimir and his family. Vladimir didn't come to church, but his wife and children came which was a huge blessing. We also found a golden investigator last week thanks to the assistants! She accepted a date to be baptized and we are excited to work with her.

The Kitchen that is never dirty....
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Our sweet desks. Mine is the one that looks organized. Notice the sweet chairs we got!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

A funny experience that Elder Nielsen and I had this week is that we are teaching this one reference of a family in our ward,  Elder Nielsen and I were focusng hard core on the Book of Mormon and receiving an answer that it's true. Well we asked her how it went, and if she asked God if it was true,  and she told us that she knew it was true. I turn to Elder Nielsen and in Spanish I said "Wow it actually worked!".  It was pretty funny, but in all reality I trust in that book so much. People ask us hard questions or stuff that could be confusing but we just use the Book of Mormon to answer them. Either the book is true or it's not. That's what it comes down to. I am thakful for the Book of Mormon and the power it has!

Well, thanks again for your birthday wishes. It looks like I'm not a teenager anymore.... Great....
Love you all and wish y'all a Happy Easter!
Elder Kimball

The little couch we made out of my old bed
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

The Sweet Man Cave.
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Bailey- Enjoy HS while it lasts. Hope those virgin lips are alive and well.
Clay- Give me my hat back!  If I come home and all of my stuff is ruined by you, I'm going to beat you.
Lexi- The pic of you eating a chocolate cupcake looked good. Hahaha love you!
Leah- You have gotten taller. Really you have grown a bunch!
Bella- Thanks for the videos. You are awesome. I'll try and not tell mom that you were destroying her garden today.
Collins- Looks like you had fun at the BYU- Missouri game. Learn to the love the games, you were born into the Kimball Family.
Capri- Glad to see the boat life has been accomadating for you. Enjoy it!
Mom- Love you and thanks for reminding how much time I have left every P-Day. It doesn't make it hard to stay focuse at all!
Dad- Love you and thanks for being a great BYU fan. I know it's hard sometimes.. During the dark days we turn our thoughts to Detmer or Jimmer. That should brighten up the clouds. Just ask Elder Nielsen,  I had a nice rant about BYU sports the other night.

Love to all,
Elder Kimball

Double that Please...

Date: March 14, 2016

Week: 89 Iñaquito, Ecuador

Companion: Elder Nielson/ Parma Idaho

Colton's Address:

Quito Ecuador North Mission

Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas

Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo

Quito Ecuador

The Quito West Zone and Me
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Well what a great week in my new sector. Elder Nielsen has only been here 3 weeks, and I just got here ,so we are like ants in a swimming pool. Iñaquito used to have 4 sets of missionaries but they lost a set  just this past transfer, so Elder Nielsen and I had to get a little bit more into our sector. It's pretty huge now! In my Ward, we have the assistants, and the nurses and they are busy most of the time, so my companion and I have to take on most of the work. 

We started by cremating our area book and re building it from the ashes. We literally called everyone that had a number and we actually found someone that accepted us. Anita Castillo who was actually taught by the other Elder Nielsen a year ago (Yes Elder Nielsen has a cousin in the misión, He is the 6 ft 10 Elder, it's hard to miss him). Anita is like 70 years old and she has knee problems. It actually makes me feel as though I am teaching my Nana. Anita accepted a baptismal date but was unable to come to church. We will help her to  come though. She came to a Ward activity last week so we hope that that will help her see that we, Mormons, aren't weird. We want to baptize her on Elder Nielsen's birthday, April 9th. 

We are also teaching the Familia Guamaninga. The mom and son are less actives and the dad is an investigator. He accepted a date but flaked on coming to church. It's really hard to get people to come to church but I feel positive that he will come this Sunday.

Elder Nielsen is awesome. He knows a lot about BYU sports which is amazing. We were messing around on the cell pone and made a voice message tone of him reenacting Greg Wrubell when we beat Utah in 2006. But then we took it off because we felt it was inappropiate Hahaha! 

So the house we have is pretty nice but I swear we are living in Nana's upstairs. The kitchen smells like Nana's pantry, the bedroom smells like Nana's bedroom and even the bathroom. I feel like I am on vacation up in Utah. Elder Nielsen and I made the house into a man cave. We found some pieces of an old bunk bed so we made a bunk bed. I don't trust it too much because well, we made it. I also found a hanger and made it into a bball hoop. With some old bball shorts I made a net and Elder Nielsen even made a back board for the make shift hoop. Its pretty fun being with him. We work hard and we have fun doing it! We are excited to get to work!

So in my first training to the district, President shows up. Just my luck. I was pretty nervous already and then he walks in and I was like "Wow that's my life".... But he said I did a great job so I guess I did alright.

Well I will keep you guys updated on the misión life of Elder Colton Kimball. Love you all, especially those of you who have made it through 21 months of Elder Kimball letters!

Much love, Elder Kimball

I'm in Iñaquito

Date: March 7, 2016
Week: 88 Iñaquito, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Anyone hungry?  I didn't get to try it though!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Dear Fam and Friends,
The Familia Yepez got baptized! and Anthony Lazo also! Anthony told me that he is planning to leave for a mission next March so I told him that I'll hold him to it. The day of the baptism was awesome. We got everything ready and thank goodness we had enough baptismal clothes.
Elder Moreira came to the mission without baptism clothes. Guess he didn't quite get the memo that we would be baptizing.

1. The entire gang getting ready for baptism, our sea of white 2. Elder Moreira, Carla, Anthony and me
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

1. Carla and Anthony getting ready for baptism 2. Brother Yepez getting ready to get baptized by his son William 3. All of us in our white clothes
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Bad lighting but big smiles for this exciting day
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

 Also... Hno. William was able to baptize his dad. Elder Moreira baptized Carla and I baptized Anthony. What an experience. Something I will never forget. The 6 of us watching one another enter the waters of baptism on the little stairs that led down into the font. After the baptism, we had a little gathering at the Yepez house for some chicken and rice. What a great meal to round off a great day.....

1. My new companion Elder Nielson from Parma Idaho 2. A Sunday brunch with some of the members
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

1. William Yepez and me 2. The Three Amigos 3. Hermana Carla Yepez and Moreira and me 4. Moreira, Carlota, May and me
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Saying goodbye to the Yepez familia 2. The Yepez family  having so many getting baptized 3. Anthony Elder Moreira and me
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Some aweome pictures from our Ofelia zone conference and reunion.  We made these awesome shirts!  Gotta love those guns!
Iñaquito, Ecuador March 2016

Well I ended up getting changes. Elder Moreira was sad to see me go (tears were shed) and worse were the Yepez (even more tears were shed.) The time I had in Cangahua was really uplifting. I am currently in Iñaquito which is just a couple more minutes down the road. I am with Elder Neilsen from Parma, Idaho. He will be turning 20 in April. He seems really cool and I am excited to keep getting to know him. I will let you guys know more about Iñaquito next week.

Sorry for such a lame letter but next week should be better. Just want y'all to know that the blessing will come. Just keep moving forward. The blessings might come instantly, tomorrow, next week, 20 years, or in the next life but I know they will come if we put our trust in Him and keep his commandments. After much hard work in Cangahua, I was blessed enough to see the fruits of my labors.

One more awesome pic meeting Elder Holland
 Ecuador February 2016

Well I have to go but love you all!
Elder Kimball

Miracles Promised, Miracles Lived

Date: February 29, 2016
Week: 87 Cangahua, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Just the Gang. Carla and Carlos are being baptized on March 5th!!!!
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

Hola Mis Queridos Amigos!
How are y'all? Happy Leap Year to everyone. Of course my mission is the two years with an extra day in it, but it's chill. Just another day given in the best two years.

Speaking of best two years, this week will probably be a week to remember. Elder Moreira and I are entering into week 12 of his first 12 weeks! His is not too stoked about the chance that one of us gets transfered out (pero así es la misión).

We worked really hard with Carla (daughter) and Carlos(father) of the Yepez familia. They were both able to have their interviews last Saturday and they passed! WaHoo! Carlota (mother) was too happy. There was alot of opposition that we faced last week but with the help of the Lord we were able to overcome it all. They are still without work but I am sure that as soon as they are baptized things will start opening up. William (the son and our Ward Mission Leader) will baptize his dad which is something absolutely amazing.

May and I playing around
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

Who says I don't still tease children?
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

We have also been working for Anthony Lazos for the fifth of March. He came to church with his Grandma two weeks ago and we asked to visit him. When we came for our second visit he had already received his answer that the Book of Mormon is true. He passed his interview and wants to serve a mission! What joy! He is 17 and plans to leave next March! He will be a great missionary, I just know it! I'll will have the privledge of baptizing Anthony and Elder Moreira will be baptizing Carla. President promised miracles in March for the faith we show in February and Elder Moreira and I are already seeing more miracles than we can count. William, Elder Moreira and I dressed in white preparing to baptize Carlos, Carla and Anthony! Too much happiness!

Me playing around with our 1st counselor
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

Making Pizza!
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

This week the hand of the Lord was definitely seen! The Familia Yepez has been out of work for a couple of weeks now so food has defintely run low. After a very hard week, William finally was able to get a car to go out an sell his shoes and to be a taxi. Saturday night, we told Carla and Carlos that we would pass by Sunday morning to help them be ready for church. Well we passed by and just Hna. Carlota was there. William's car broke down and Carlos had left at 4 am to go looking for them, and Carla had stayed over at a friends house.

Well we hurried and thought of a plan. We called William and he was at the bus terminal waiting for a tow with his dad. We told him that we urgently needed his dad to be at church so that he would be able to be baptized this Saturday. So Hno. Carlos quickly got on the next bus and was able to attend church. Carla showed up and changed quickly and we went to church. William didn't show up at church so we were a little worried. William was a little down the rest of the day with not everything going so well in his life. The only bright spot was his sister and father being baptized but alot had gone wrong before that. We decided to have a family home evening. After much reflection in their woes, the familia Yepez was at the breaking point when a group of members showed up congratulating Carlos and Carla on their decision. After the group had born their testimonies they left. With their spirits lifted, they then wondered what they would eat for dinner. Well the group of members came back and with a weeks worth of food. Wow! It was almost like Christmas! Just once again this family seeing the blessings of the Lord.

So this week will be one to remember! I hope everyone has a safe week!
Much Love,
Elder Kimball

Bailey- Thanks for the insta shoutout. Just keep reminding the peeps I exist.
Clay- Tried to write you bro. Miss you man. Listened to Quentin L. Cooks talk on Snoopy and I remembered that that was the first talk you ever heard in Priesthood Sesh. Can't believe you'll be 14 ya mismo!
Lexi-Hows life sweetie? Miss getting updates on you.
Leah- You miss me yet? Knowing you, probably not.
Bella- You being good for G&G!
Collins- How's not having mom and dad there? Different no?
Capri- You are still a baby! Hope you still are one when I get back!
Mom- Love you! How was the trip? Any penguin sightings?
Dad! Love you buddy! Can't wait to visit this place with ya!
Y'alls brother and son,
Elder Kimball

Elder Perry thinks he can make pizza
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016

Playing around as we try on the baptismal clothes getting ready for Saturday
Cangahua, Ecuador February 2016