First days of December....

This week contained the first days of the month of December.  My first memories I have from when I think of December and Christmas are colder weather and usually with snow.

Being here in the middle of the world, the weather had different plans.  Since I have gotten to Esmeraldas, Ecuador, it has felt that it has only gotten hotter, and hotter. 

This week, not much happened during the week.  But this weekend, the Esmeraldas Stake had a stake conference.  A general authority came to visit and speak and the conference. Elder E. Xavier Espinoza, an area seventy, came and spoke to the stake.  It was cool, to listen to him.  Honestly he reminded me of George Lopez.  I thought is was a bit funny.  

As well, last night was the Christmas Devotional from the First Presidency.  If you did not watch it, I invite you to do so (visit lds.org)  It was really good and powerful as we learned about the Christmas season and the birth of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.

I was reading the Book of Mormon, I think it was Wednesday, in the chapter 18 of 1 Nephi.  I read verse three, which says that Nephi went to the mount often to inquirer of the Lord because the Lord answered his questions.  Well, what on the Earth is considered holy like a mountain? a Temple.  To me, Nephi prayed and went to his Temple often he did this as the Lord spoke with him and answered his questions and gave him direction for his actions. As a missionary, we focus our teaching in making covenants with our Father in Heaven.  To help people do this, in each lesson we give commitments to help them have the spirit and desire to complete and come closer to their Lord.

This week I am going to have a lot more pictures.  We are traveling to Quito this week and I will take pictures with members and people here in the ward.  We are having our Christmas Dinner with president this week.  The missionaries in the coast and jungle are traveling Thursday for a dinner.

I will receive information about transfers Sunday night this week and change Monday.

The verse I ponderized this week is found it the Bible.  Matthew 7:7-8.  If we seek for an answer or knowledge with the Lord and God, we will find it. 

Elder Draper.