Todo Tranquilo

Dear Fambly,

How are you all?  I hope you all enjoyed the conference.  I’m downloading the talks right now.

I would like another camera.  I am guessing mailing one would be the best option.  I just don’t know when it will get here.  I read something that worried me in one of your letters.  You said that you had to give back Bup’s laptop.  Were you able to save my music on there?  It is a personal treasure.  I am worried since we will no longer be in the King County Library System some of the songs may be nearly irreplaceable.  That’s a Spanish-looking English word. 

I am not sure about going home in October.  My trunky papers came in blank.  I did talk to an assistant about extending, though.

We had a pretty good week.  Todo tranquilo con Élder Velasquez. (all is well with Elder Velasquez)

Feely
In my talks with Elder Packard, we have talked about how the real path to being happy is by receiving and following promptings from the Holy Ghost.  Revelation really does make us happy.  I'm thinking back over past companionship problems and dealing with difficult people, even when everything seemed to be stretched to the limit, I found (looking back) that when I was really in contact with Heavenly Father and trying to find and do His will, everything seemed to be under control and I was able to find great peace. 

Recently, I have been trying to record little impressions to do something nice, or how to do something right, or a prompting to be more obediente.  I've been writing them on these little pink post-its that stick out of the bottom of my agenda.  It makes it easier to see how I am doing with my communication with heaven.  The little revelation dead-spots, where I've gone a few days without anything to write, have been the times where I later on have felt lonely or sad.  They have been the times when, even if I was trying to work hard, things just didn't seem to work out or I would just get tired and slow down.  The spots with lots of little pink notes have been when I have been able to have success even in difficult circumstances. 

I liked Élder Scott's talk about revelation.  I liked how he talked about having our bodies, minds, and spirits ready and in tune to receive revelation.  It gave me a desire to be obedient with more exactness.    Not that I am breaking any big rules, but sometimes when I'm not careful, it is easy to slip up on something like the missionary schedule a little bit.  I want to do better. I think when it all comes down to it, that is really the reason we have a strict schedule and diet, because that way we can give our whole body and mind to the work.  Anyways, that's Nan's little pensamiento espiritual.  Sed, pues, obediente.  What talks did you all like?

BTW, I did the beard by sticking my hair onto my face with a glue stick.  It was a plan Élder Castro and I had had for a while.

Oh yeah, José was able to come to the Priesthood session.  I think the talks were really good for him.  His wife has been wanting him to take more responsibility in disciplining his children in both the religious and non-religious aspects.  They gave a lot of talks about men being leaders in their homes.  I think he liked them a lot.  His wife commented afterward that he came home really content.  It is pretty amazing what hearing the words of a prophet can do.  He is very excited about his baptism this week.

Well, love you a ton.  Take care. 

 Love, Elder Ludlam

Filling Eyes with Hope and Joy

Dear Family,

How are all my beloved ones?  Things are great here with Elder Velasquez.  We are looking forward to another great week.

These past few days I’ve really been able to see how the Restored Gospel really fills people’s eyes with hope and joy.  This week we’ve been able to talk with a lot of people about the blessings of eternal families.  I thought it was pretty cool.  (On the Way Home helps a lot)  Jeje. 

Our investigators are all doing great.  José, the husband of our mamita, is eating up the Book of Mormon.  He wants to read it all before he gets baptized in April.  He’s already in Alma.  He said he’s hooked and can’t stop anymore.  His favorite part has been when Alma and Amulek call the "unbelievers" to repentance.  I love it when they love the Book of Mormon.  The other day he went over to his inactive brother’s house to try and get him to come to church.

Joselyn and Marcelo have been reading and praying together every night the past few weeks.  We brought a member, Alain, over to visit with them.  When he heard they were praying and reading together he admitted that he and his wife had not been doing so well with that and was inspired by them to start doing better. 

President Montalti’s last few conferences have been based on the First Presidency’s message at the beginning of PMG where they say that missionary work is the most important and most satisfying work.  I guess I got to see this in the brother we took to visit with us.  Because he was willing to give his time to visit our investigators, he caught a little of their enthusiasm and now has a greater determination to keep the commandments.  Like you said in one of your earlier letters, converts are the life blood of the church.  Alain is actually on fire.  He reactivated a few months ago and is helping us teach all of his family.  He brought all of his cousins and nephews to church yesterday in white shirts and ties.  Pretty Cool.

Elder Velasquez and I have a goal to bring 25 people to general conference.  We cooked up this scheme to try and get a minimum of three members to visit and comprometer (commit) the investigators to come Saturday and Sunday.  We made little lists of the people we wanted each member to visit and handed them out after church and scheduled when we could pass by together to visit the investigators.  We’ll have to see how it turns out.  I think it will work a little better than just running through our phone list of Varones que son Eternamente Desocupados (unemployed males) everyday until we find someone who is willing so spend the day with us like we’ve been doing.  That gets you labeled as an elder fastidioso (annoying).

Anyway, I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying the freedom of having sold the house.  Now I don’t have to feel so bad about you having to move.  That’s good that you’ll get to go to the reunion.  Is this the first one I’ve ever missed?

Well, take care, Bambino-Dinkers.
Love,

Il Duce

Elder Carnese se fue.  Está en la oficina otra vez.  El nuevo es un italiano-guatemalteco-gringo.  Se llama Élder Sparacino. (Elder Carnese left.  He is in the office again.  The new elder is part Italian/Guatemalan/American.  His name is Elder Sparacino.)

Welcome Elder Velasquez!

Dear Fam Fam,

Elder Velasquez

How are you all?  I am doing great.  We had cambios (transfers).  I am still here in Solana.  Elder Coy got sent back to Loja.  He was quite upset about that.  My new companion’s name is Elder Velasquez.  He is a gringo-latino from Cincinatti, OH.  His dad is from Guatemala.  We just met a few hours ago.  Me parece un tipo bastante bueno. (He seems like a really good guy)

We had a really good week this past week.  We got a lady named Jocelyn to come to church.  She is the partner of a less-active member, Marcelo, we found contacting.  When we first talked with her, she said that she was Catholic and could never change because of her mom, but then we shared the message of the Restoration and she really caught on and wants to be baptized. 

The only problem is that the less-active partner is not all that excited about coming back to church.  He actually got baptized and was really active in another ward called Los Esteros (one of my earlier wards), but something happened so he changed job locations to change wards.  We were able to visit with the sister yesterday with the bishop.  The bishop lived before in Los Esteros and was there when Marcelo got baptized.  He had heard that Marcelo had moved to this ward but had never been able to find him.  He talked with Jocelyn about setting an example for her husband so that he could decide to come back to church and marry Jocelyn.  I thought it was pretty cool.  It has been hard to visit our investigators with the bishop.

Elder Carnese is still here but Elder Johnson left.  He was only here for two weeks.  The new elder’s name is Elder Silva from Chile.  I just wanted to ask you for our new address, phone numbers, and the names, the unit numbers of our new ward and stake, and the name of the airport in NJ.  I got my trunky papers (flight itinerary) the other week, but it came in blank because they are missing information.  I need to send them los datos nuevos (new information).  I was also wondering if you could send my mission call in the next package.  President said that we should read over it frequently.  I would like another camera, but I don’t know how much time I would have to use it.  I am old.

Well, here's my promised pysch-feely:
These last few weeks I've been working with a senior missionary named Elder Packard due to some of my companionship issues.  I think he works with the whole area because he's based in Lima.  So far we've only been able to have to or three full conversations due to phone problems and a trip to Bolivia that he had to take.  Mostly we've talked about not being passive and learning to talk to people to get both our needs met so I don't get frustrated and then explode.  We've also been working on replacing bad thoughts of ineptitude (which lead me to try to blame or tear down my companion) with edifying, uplifting thoughts from Christ.  So far I've really enjoyed our sessions together even though I haven't been able to talk to him for a week or two.  I just decided last week that I wanted to share with you some of what´s been going on.

Does this mean I can’t open your emails since you’ve been hacked?

Well, I look forward to writing to you all next week and as always I will be in District Meeting waiting for a mountain of DearElders.

Love, Nannie-Pooh

Dear Grandma Natalie,

How are you?  I am sorry we have not been able to talk in so long.  As you know, I've been in Ecuador these past 18 months as a missionary.  Even though I have had to put my studies on hold for a while, I know this is the best decision I have ever made.  It is hard, but the gospel I share is able to bring such hope and solace to the humble people of Ecuador.  The message I share gives them a new foundation for faith in Jesus Christ.  The reason for this new hope comes from our belief that God still talks with man on earth like we read about in the Bible.

Even though many people believe that now miracles don't exist anymore and that God is far away in Heaven and does not take much concern in our daily lives, the people I teach can find hope and new confidence in God by believing that he called the boy Joseph Smith to be a prophet in the spring of 1820.  The convincing evidence of this is the Book of Mormon.  I am not sure how much Dad has been able to talk to you about all this.  Have you ever been able to read the Book of Mormon?  I know that anyone who with sincerity will read the Book of Mormon and pray to God with faith to ask if it is true will come to know of its divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.
 
I am sorry if I am getting a little preachy, but this is what I have been talking about every day with everyone for the past year and a half.  I am so glad that we will be moving so much closer to you when we come to New Jersey.  Mom tells me we will just be a few hours from New York City.  I am not sure how much time it takes to travel to Maryland.  It will be so much easier to visit when I get back in October.  Well, I just wanted to send you a little note.  We only write to our families by email every Monday.  I would love to hear back from you someday.  Talk to you soon.

Love, your grandson, Grant

Photos at Last!

Dear Family,

I'm a Man Now: Elder Ludlam forgets to shave
OR Elder Ludlam gets a messy haircut!

Sounds like an exciting week for you all!  That is so wonderful about selling the house in one day.  Have you ever thought about going into Real Estate, Mom?  You’re building a pretty good track record.  2/2

Well, things have been going well in Solana.  We’ve been working hard to find new people.  Yesterday, we had a great lesson.  Elder Coy’s favorite mamita here (featured in the FHE picture in the purple shirt) finally got her husband to listen to the missionaries.  All her kids are members, and now they are just waiting for the dad.  Anyway, she’s been praying for years that her husband would start investigating the church so they could get sealed in the temple.  Slowly but surely she has been making progress, from playing the hymns in their house, to having him in the room during family prayer, to reading out loud to him from the Book of Mormon before they go to bed; she’s been melting down his corazón endurecido (hard heart).  Last night we got him to accept a baptism date for the week after General Conference.  We are all pretty excited.

Family Home Evening

Elder Ludlam's Hungry Hippo Shoes

Well, we have transfers coming up next week.  We decided to use our possibly last p-day together to make some homemade cerveza de raíz (root beer) with Elder Carnese and Elder Johnson.  It’s almost been 18 months since I drank root beer.  My last night in the Provo MTC, I think I drank about 5 glasses of root beer to make it count.  

Well, I am sorry.  Elder Coy wants to stick to the 45 minute letter rule and this is straining my 45 wpm typing skills to the maximum.  Sometimes I burn out and have to stare blankly out into space to cool down before I can start typing again. 

Love,

Sir Squilliam Sledgeham, esq.

Solana is a nice little ward

Dearest Family,

How are you all this fine Monday afternoon?

Are these photos of the first loads out to the east?  I just realized the other day I won’t be able to defend any of my stuff.  I don’t know if I can trust anyone in my family to know what’s really important in my room. 

Well, guess what, Elder Johnson just moved in to live with us.  He is Elder Carnese’s new companion.  The other guy, Elder Child, got called to be Assistant.  I thought it was pretty cool.  The old Assistant, Elder Pavon, came to live with us for half a day.  He was so laid back.  Everything he said and did seem to say, "FREE!"  I think he was happy to get out of there.

Andres' baptism with now Eyner Barboza

Well, Solana is a nice little ward.  It is in the same zone as all of the downtown Guayaquil wards.  It’s really flat and has lots of two-story buildings.  We’ve been working with a young man named Andrés.  He’s a super-escogido (super chosen or elect).  This month the stake is having a big missionary focus and part of their plan is to have all the members read the book of Mormon this month.  Andrés said that he wants to read the Book of Mormon with the members.  His mom and sister both came with him to church this past week, so we are looking forward to working with them.

Things are working better with my companion.  There was a lot of belly-aching, but nothing a few service opportunities couldn’t fix.  I have been thinking a lot about companions lately and I’ve realized that when we are out there in the cold, mean world, he’s the only one out there that’s on my team.  It made me want to be a better friend.  He really is a good guy.  He hasn’t had the best companions.  Anyway, I’ve been trying to change my teaching styles in a way that I never really have before--to try and really support him when we are teaching.  It has turned out really well.
 
We are having problems finding a cyber with the right kind of memory port.  I think Elder Carnese has an adapter he can lend us.  No quiso prestárnoslo hoy (He didn’t want to lend it to us today for the camera).  That’s really great about Elder Clayton (Grant’s college roommate was called to serve his mission in Oregon!).  You’ll have to look up his address so I can try and write him.  I’ve been thinking of writing Taffin, too.  I imagine Elder Kurt already got back from Chile.

Well, I’m sorry, my companion is kicking me off.  I’ll have to talk to you all soon.

Ciao,

Mr Girndle

This week I´d like to write a little message to Granny.

Dear Granny Marjorie,

How are you?  My family has been writing me about all the times they have been able to visit you for holidays and birthdays.  I always wish I could be with them and see you, too.  It is so wonderful here in Ecuador.  The people are so kind and generous.  Uncle Paul would love the sea food.  I've spent a large part of my mission up in the Andes in a city called Cuenca.  It is Ecuador's wealthiest city.  It has a very nice climate.  I am sure you would like it here.  Do you like foreign food?

Well, I am guessing you have heard my family will be moving out to the East Coast.  We will have to have a big Oregon trip when I get back so I can see you, and Grandma Cheryle and Grandpa Bob and the rest of the family.  I just wanted to say how much I love you and think about you.  Love, Elder Ludlam

I'm a Man Now: Elder Ludlam Forgets to Shave

Dear Family,

How are you all?  I got a huge stack of letters last week.  I didn’t have anything from 2012.  I read about all the stuff you had to do to get that house, mom and dad.  Thank you for all that you do to for my sisters and I.  I love you mucho.

Well, we had an exciting week.  We hardly had anyone in our programs so we hit the streets.  We decided to go for the members and look for references and it turned out really well.  We found some great people.  So far the most promising is Diego.  He is a very interesting person.  His parents are members and he has been going to church on and off since he was about five.  He travels for his work so he’s lived all over the world.  He said he has been going to church in the Hong Kong foreigner’s branch for a while because he found a Mormon girlfriend that took him.  He came back to Ecuador recently and asked a sister in our ward who lives down the street from him to send us to see him.  So far the only problem is his new non-member girlfriend.  She needs to go.

I know I promised pictures today but they are on Elder Coy’s camera memory and we can’t find a computer with that kind of port.  Maybe I will be able to send them later on today.  My favorite picture I have to send you I have entitled I´m a Man Now: Elder Ludlam Forgets to Shave.

Well, I am not sure I much more to say.  I could just bore you with more companion problems.   Oh, did I tell you, I am living with the Elder Carnese.  He was secretary for a while, you know.  Elder Child is the fourth missionary living with us.

Well, I love you so.  Maybe I’ll get to write a little more later on.

Love,

Your Elde

Dear Sophie,

How are you?  I got your letter a few weeks ago.  I decided this that if I write to you this way, it is probably a better since my letter will get to you before spring term ends.  I am guessing you have heard that my family is moving to New Jersey in the next few months.  I guess I won't notice that much since I will be heading back off to school soon after I return.  I am just a little sad because I had all these ideas in my head of all the people I was going to look up in our class to convert as soon as I got home.  Oh well.

I was thinking of how old a missionary I am.  My time soon will come to an end.  I've got to make good use of every moment I've got left.  I am glad to hear that you are still want to leave on a mission.  It really is the best thing I've ever done.  Do you think you'll get to go foreign?  You have to tell me more about your trip to Ghana.

Well, I'm sorry I don't have much time.  I think my emailing we will be able to get mail back and forth more quickly, at least.

Talk to you later, Love Grant

A Day Late and a Camera Short

¡Familia!  Sigo vivo (I’m still alive).

Flooding in Guayaquil

Sorry, this last week has been Carneval and they haven’t let us leave the house due to the general mayhem.  (He didn't write on his usual Monday) It’s actually not really that bad.  They are giving us a little bit of time to write today.  I am sorry to keep you hanging like that.

More news.  I am back in my first ward, Solana.  I got transferred out of Cuenca.  It was close, but my previous record of only staying in a ward 14 weeks still stands.  My new companion’s name is Elder Coy from Guatemala.  He is a very smiley fellow.  

Narcissa and Gisella Villon and family

It is really weird because they have pulled the missionaries out of Solana a couple of times so not much has happened in the aspecto misional (missionary work) since I left.  I got to the new sector and opened up the area book and there were all my converts from a year ago right on top.  It is kind of like things were frozen in time.  I was only there two weeks so everything seems like a foggy memory.  Almost all the members a have said, "You seem familiar, have you been here before?"  I remind them I was with Elder Gonzalez and they say, "Oh, you were that quiet Elder."

Mall del Sur

Well, I want to wish Luci a very happy birthday today.  

Love, Mr. G

About the camera, I have some bad news.  I think someone took it out of my bag on the bus.  I got to the house and I didn’t have it anymore. Please don’t be too angry.  I do have some pretty good pictures to send that I took on my companion’s camera for next week.