Buzzer Beater

Date: April 25, 2016
Week: 95 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 Guamaninga Family
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Well I'm doing fine here in Quito, Ecuador. I would like to clarify that there was no harm or accidents in the city of Quito. I'm perfectly fine and well there won't be a lot of service to do, since nothing really happened.  There were accidents in the Coastal area of Ecuador so we have been asked to fast for those over there but it's crazy to see how people are so receptive! We have been able to talk with a whole bunch of people just because everyone just realized that there are bigger things than this life.

Elder Nielsen got back this week and while he was gone, I developed a relationship with our ward mission leader. We got him excited about the work again! Elder Nielsen got back and was like "Since when is the Ward Mission Leader our best friend?" The best is Hno. Armas (WML) has a car and will drive us around and since we had no lunch all last week from the mamitas, he helped us out on the weekend to got us food. Let's say that Elder Nielsen and I decided to fast a couple days.

Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

We have been working with the Guamaninga Family practically my whole time here. After putting a date on the dad, Vladimir, for baptism a couple times, and him not coming to church, we needed to change things up. So using our new weapon (Hno. Armas), we decided to have him help us in our lessons. He was the perfect hermanador! Its Sunday Morning and Hno. Armas comes to ward Council for the first time in over 6 months and we were telling the council about the Guamaningas. I call the Guamaningas like 5 minutes before and they said they were still at their house. (By the way, Ecuadorians are terrible with time, if you have an appointment at 5 pm, they will expect you at 7:30 pm...)
Anyways, Hno. Armas was freaking, and then he called his wife and she picked 'em up! Buzzer beater, 3 for the win! (Elder Nielsen and I always say that when something crazy happens). They got to church and we sat right in front of our mission president, President Richardson (embarassing). Well then the whole time , Vladimir, was telling members, how he was preparing to be baptized on the 14th of May. We are so excited for him. We celebrated his 38th birthday last week and Elder Nielsen still had left over cake ingredients from my birthday, so we took advantage! Our cake skills are getting better!

Vladimir's Birthday!
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Elder Nielsens Cake Game
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

I had my first (and probably last) baptismal interview on Sunday. The assistants have Jean Carlo preapring to be baptized this Saturday, and the interview went well! He passed! Great to see the office missionaries still having success!

Elder Olsen (old Zone leader) had changes to Ofelia last week! I'll miss that brother but seeing he will probably be my roommate in college, I'll see him soon.

Well just a little update on my voice leaving me. My voice is now just a little deeper and I can't do my high pitch squeal and  can't sing soprano. The whole mission is now joking that Elder Kimball finally hit puberty... Ha...Ha....Ha.... not funny...
Well I love you all!
Miss y'all, Elder Kimball

Us at work
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Us not at work!
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

,
Bailey- No letter once again...
Clay- Skipping fiesta chairs is a grave sin!
Lexi- Mom says not to use the word Bully when I write you,  so "Bully!Bully!Bully!". Whose the bully now?
Leah- Hey there betrayer,  I might as well call you Lebron James!
Bella- I miss you sweetie! Hope you can survive these last couple months with your big bro not there!
Collins- You putting on Nana's wig was priceless! New class clown in the making!

Collins dressed as her Nana!
San Antonio, Texas April 2016

Capri- Miss you, and you look more and more like dad everyday!
Mom- Miss you mother and thanks for getting all my roommate stuff set up! Hope you are preparing to have a wonderful Mother's day!
Dad- Keep being a great example! Your a bro and thanks for sending me my flight plans! Not all dads would do that! i miss you and hope you have a great safe week!
Elder Kimball

La Semana del Infierno

Date: April 18, 2016
Week: 94 Iñaquito, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Murillo/ Genova, Italy
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Elder Murillo and I
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Well, this week was one crazy week! Probably one of the toughest and strangest weeks of my entire life. I'll try and get everything in, but we'll see how fast these fingers can type.

So I was with Elder Murillo this past week. Elder Murillo really is a great elder. We had some good times together but sometimes we make dumb decisions. Elder Murillo taught me a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I saw the atonement work not only in him, but also in me. I will think of this scripture (D&C 3:10) whenever I think of my dear missionary companion, Elder Murillo.
 "But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work;

The boyz.  Having a slumber party all week!
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

So for certain reasons, we were given instructions to spend the night with the Zone Leaders all last week! It was actually a blast! The zone leaders (Elders Wheelwright and Olsen) are two funny dudes! I got to work with Elder Olsen most of the week and it was pretty awesome!

We had just returned to the house in Iñaquito Saturday night to pick up some stuff Elder Murillo and I needed. So we were in the house and then the window starts shaking. I didn't think anything of it until Elder Olsen was like, are you feeling this? All of a sudden the curtains are swinging back and forth and some dishes fell and we recognize we are witnessing an earthquake!

I started trying to remember all the things I learned to do in an earthquake (running, sitting, walking, etc.) The earthquake lasted a good 3 mintues of shaking. I got pretty sick by the end of it. It was the first earthquake I had ever experienced. People were running outside and screaming while these two gringos were wishing that it would last longer. It was so cool!

Unfortunately, it wasn't as cool as we thought for others. It was extremely strong for people near the coast. It's been reported that there are over 300 deaths. There isn't much service for us Quito missonaires to be doing, but it's crazy how open the hearts of the people have been since then.

Cristo en Las Americas activity
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

The Zone Leaders
Elder Wheelwright on the left and Elder Olsen on the right
Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

On Sunday, we did an activity called Christ in the Americas. This is where we contacted people in this huge park for a good 3 hours. We set up a little tent asking for information to visit the people. The people were so receptive, it was crazy! Left and right, we were taking down peoples addresses and numbers. We want to keep doing it every Sunday, just because it was so effective!

Just to finish up, Elder Nielsen and I have been playing basketball these past couple weeks at 5:00 in the morning against the Zone Leaders and we haven't won a game. Well, this morning Elder Nielsen and I put on a show. We destroyed them. So our bball skills are slowly returning, and it's a great workout!

Well With all the earthquakes and stuff happening, it reminds me of one of my favorite mormon messages. Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them. With all the people that were open to hearing our message just because of the earthquakes, it reminded me how we must always be prepared for the Lord's coming. We must prepare ourselves now to be brought forth unto the tribunal of the Lord to be judged of our works! (Alma 34:31-37)

 31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

 36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.

 37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

I know that we must always be ready. As Jeffrey R. Holland says "Sanctify yourselves". We must always be ready, and we must always remember this council:  "Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." (D&C 88:81)

I know that this a sacred work. I have loved my mission. Friday night, Elder Olsen and I were invited to a missionary farewell and we were invited to talk to the congretion about what we have learned on our missions. I have loved my mission to the fullest. It has been the greatest thing I have ever done. Many people told me before going that I would lose time or waste time that I could have been doing for other things. Boy, I can't wait to prove them wrong. Although I may still be immature, dumb, and sometimes prideful, I am trying. I have learned how to turn my weaknesses into my strengths. I have learned to recognize them and the experience I have gained out here is priceless. I didn't give 2 years to the Lord, He gave me his guidnce and love.

I know these thing are ture, and I share them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Much love to all,
Elder Kimball

Bailey- Ñaña, no letter from you this week! Feeling sad but wanted to let you know that I didn't die in the earthquakes just in case you were heartsick worried.
Clay- Bro you know I miss you! Keep being awesome and you know I'll be trying that hoverboard when I'm back!
Leah- You just told me that your love will be my homecoming gift. I wouldn't want anything else. I love you too!
Lexi- Notice how I put you after Leah... maybe I would appreciate a little letter....
Bella- Sorry Lexi is being mean! I hope you can keep being strong and not let her bully you. Don't  worry, I'll be home soon and I'll set order to the Kimball Kingdom, my princess!
Collins- Nice pot belly. Leah sent me a video of you riding the hoverboard and your little white stomach had a nice appearance. It looks like mine!
Capri- You know I love you and can't wait to meet you!
Mom- Thank you for your prayers and sorry for making you cry all the time. I just have to make sure you still miss me now that we're nearing the end!
Dad- You know I love you too! Thanks for alwats giving me great advice!
P.S Beating you in basketball and stealing your car has been a crowning moment of my life just wanted to remind you of that. Love you!
Love to all!,
Elder Kimball

God Knows You

Date: April 11, 2016
Week: 93 Iñaquito, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Murillo/ Genova, Italy
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Foto de la visita de Elder Holland
From March 2016

So Tuesday morning, I had just gotten out of the shower and we recieve a call from the Zone Leaders. They told us that the other companionship of Elders (Elder Morgan and Elder Murillo) weren't doing too well, and that we were going to have to do a little changes for this next two weeks so Elder Murillo's back could heal up. That means I have a new companion and Elder Nielsen will be vacationing in Santa Anita for one more week.

Elder Murillo is from Genova, Italy but he was born in Manabi, Ecuador. He speaks Italian so that's cool! He was originally assigned to the Guatemala Rethaluleu Mission before he got reassigned to our mission. He has had one crazy mission but he keeps enduring through every trial he faces. We were in the hospital this week to see what was up with Elder Murillo's back. The doctor checked him out and said it could be a herniated disc but the MRI said otherwise. So Elder Murillo's back seems to be fine and he'll have to start to toughen up if he wants to keep up with the Lord's work here in Iñaquito.

So we are still working with Vladimir. He accepted a date for the 30th of April. We visit him almost everyday to help him get to church. I found some old white shirts in the house and we washed them and gave them to him so that he wouldn't use the excuse that he didn't have nice clothes. With a cool tie too. So everything was all good until little Sofia (his daughter) got pneumonia Sunday morning. Come on Satan! Pick on someone your own size... So Sofia had to go to the hospital with Vladimir included...We asked him the other day if the church was true and he said it was and that he wants to be sealed with his family in the temple. Well, Buddy if you want all those blessings, you gotta start living up to'em! Well, we will keep working with Vlady and I will keep y'all updated!

Our Ward Mission Leader (Hno. Armas) is pretty cool. He heard my voice yesterday at church and he told me to come over later for some special oil his wife has. They gave me this stuff from some Utah company called DoTerra. It is really nasty just saying, but it seemed to relieve my throat a little. Hno. Armas and his wife are literally like gringos to me. I mean what Ecuadorians know who Mitt Romney is and invest in small Utah companys....I mean come on!

Alright so many people might be wondering why this email is called "God Knows You". It is something we here often. Whether it be said at General Conference or learned in primary. It's generally known and quite common. It is as Donald L. Hallstrom said,

"This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain. A correct understanding of our heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation. It is foundational to comprehending the glorious plan of salvation and to nurturing faith in the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus the Christ, and in His merciful Atonement. 

Further, it provides continual motivation for us to make and keep our indispensable eternal covenants.

With few exceptions, everyone participating in this meeting could right now, without written lyrics or music, sing “I Am a Child of God.”  

This beloved hymn is one of the most often sung in this Church. But the critical question is, do we really know it? Do we know it in our mind and in our heart and in our soul? Is our heavenly parentage our first and most profound identity?"  

With those words lingering in my mind this past week, I really began to put the things I knew to be true to the test. I began to see if I actually believed them. I started with the simple "Does God or my loving Heavenly Father know me?" A simple question with which I know the answer too, but do I really believe it.

So this is what happened. A year or so ago the mission asked us to fill out those "My Family" Booklets. There is a section to write about yourself and then your parents, your grandparents and so on. Since I was in the jungle, I hadn't received the instructions, so by mistake I did my booklet in English. Turns out we were supposed to do it in Spanish. So the mission recently decided to check those booklets again and they said that I should probably rewrite mine in Spanish to share with members and investigators.

Fine I said to myself I'll change it to Spanish. So that's what I started to do. I got to the part that I had written about my mom. This is what I had wrote less than a year ago about my dear sweet mother.

"My Mom is the middle child of 7. She was raised in Northern California in a small cow town, (literally) called Vacaville. My mother says she was a cheerleader in high school, but I've only ever seen her in a mascot uniform. My mother was accepted to Brigham Young University and later finished her schooling with me in class with her when I was seven.

My mother has always taught me of the happiness that can be found in the knowledge that can be found in the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. With a father and two brothers who have passed on, my mother is a great example of enduring to the end. She is now the mother of 9. She shows Christlike love for each of her children by raising them in the restored gospel." This little passage of personal revelation was delivered by God. With the passing of Baby Quinn, it was really hard for all of us but especially mother. I had prayed to know how I could help my mother in her time of need. When all I really had to do was to look back and see what she had taught me my whole life. I had written that before baby Quinn passed, but it stands as a testimony today of how my mother has taught me about the Plan of Salavation.

With overwhelming joy in my heart, I knew and then believed that God knows me. He knows my mother and he knows each and every one of us. He loves us and the little miracles we find in our lives each day are how he shows his love. I am grateful for my mom and all that she has done for my family and me. I know this church is true, and I want to continue growing that belief by acting accordind to my belief. I love each and everyone of you and hope you all know that God knows you!
Elder Kimball

Bailey- You looked beautiful in your prom photos. I sure miss you and love you!
Clay- Keep being the bomb! Can't believe you are 14! Wow just wow!
Lexi- I love you and miss you.  Stop being mean to Bella!
Leah- The other day I was reading a letter you wrote me and I honestly though it was Clay's writing because of the handwriting, but at the end you put "P.S sorry for the bad handwriting" Hahaha miss you!
Bella- Well, Bella you are growing up, I can't believe it. I hope you are being good!
Collins- For some reason I feel like you are most loved in the fam.  Hope you are ready for your position to be taken when I get back.
Capri- You are still a baby and you can't read this, but to future Capri when you read this: Know that I love you!
Mom- I hope you know I am always praying for the family but especially you! I miss you and love you too!
Dad- Keep being awesome! I wrote a few nice things about you too but I'll save'em for another day when I make you mad, or need to apologize for something! haha

Love you all,
Elder Kimball

Mute Missionary

Date: April 4, 2016
Week: 92 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

Outside in the city.  Yes, it's been raining all week! (Can you imagine the Temple in the back?)
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Well, this week was exciting, no? Our beloved prophet Thomas S. Monson announced a temple in Quito, Ecuador! Wow! I was so stoked. Every conference when President says he will be announcing temples, the missionaries sit on the edge of thier seats waiting to hear Quito, Ecuador. Well this time he said he would be announcing four temples and immediately I thought how awesome it would be to finish my mission with a temple announced in Quito.
Boom goes the dynamite! 
The Gringo room went loco! All we heard was Quito and we knew it! Tears wear shed, and hearts were gladened! Much hard work was put into seeing the fruit of being blessed with a temple.  I truly feel as an instrument in the Lord's hands!

My sick pic
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

This week was a little tough. We worked hard with our investigator Fernanda but she was busy at work all week! We are hoping to visit her this week and help her keep progressing to baptism. We also helped Vladimir and he wanted to be baptized but he didn't go to Conference! That bum. I know that both of them can get baptized they just have to stop being bums!

Well my voice has officially been absent for the past week or so. So I have been trying to teach the gospel as a mute missionary. I teach in a whisper and people are a lot more sensitive to the Spirit. It sounds like I'm going to cry every five seconds so the Spirit has been strong haha. Elder Nielsen says I should just teach in a whisper all the time. But it's also been a humbling experience! I find myself trying to speak but then I just can't. I just want to ask Elder Nielsen if I can borrow his milk and I have to motion it to him so it's been fun.

Bro date after the Priesthood Session of conference
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Went to Chilis.....
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

The Crew...I lost by 2 points!
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

We were able to have a fun P-Day though. We went bowling with the Zone Leaders and I got second place. We get quite competitive! We then had some Chili's afterwards. I didn't even know we had Chili's in Ecuador! What a blessing. I had pink lemonade! It was amazing!

Well I'd just like to share this this week!
I am proud to have President Richardson as my mission president. He is man called of God! It made me sad to think of all of the things that he has done for the mission and especially for me and to see missionaries who do not always appreciate that as much... it's hard for me to comprehend. He has done so much for me and this mission, and honestly I am so grateful to be in this mission. I wouldn't have been able to reach my potential as a missionary, person, or even man, if it was in any other mission. I thank him for everything and the fruits of his labors are evident! We truly have been instruments in the hands of the Lords to bring to pass great things!
Elder Kimball

Elder Nielson and I  and bad photo creds go to Elder Olson
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Go Big or Go home!
 Iñaquito, Ecuador April 2016

Bailey- No letter from you this week. Disappointed...
Clay- Thanks for writing me bro! I love you man!
Lexi- Looking very beautiful!
Leah- You too. Don't freak out about the apostates!
Bella- I love you sis and you are becaoming one beautiful pre teen!
Collins- How was the plane? Travel much?
Capri- Looks like Aunt Susan is your new grandma! haha
Mom- Thanks for being a gem. Be careful with the password to my email. See how much I trust you. Don't abuse it!
Dad- Go Spurs! Thanks for everything dad! You have always been a great example of Christ and I thought of you during the PH Sesh!
Elder Kimball