September 5, 2011: So Good!

Family,

This week has been amazing. Hermana Mairena and I are loving life and have found such wonderful families to teach and as we have done so, I have felt the Spirit so much in their homes. There are so many good people here who don`t know where to go for help or for strength. One thing that I wanted to share this week was my testimony of the power of prayer. I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers because He is our father. As Dad used to say to me all the time, "A sparrow doesn't fall to the ground without him knowing and how much better are we than a sparrow?" I love reading that scripture because it reminds me of the fact that we are loved by our Heavenly Father and he hears every word we utter, and even the ones we don`t. I have found that the closer we get to him, the more we realize our weaknesses and need for Him. Its all a refining process. At times the process can be scalding and hard to bear, but he will never leave us in the fire for longer than we can handle. He will pull us out just in time, just enough so his image can be reflected through us. There is another scripture that says that we need to "Take up our cross daily and follow him." I later read how Christ carried his own cross to the place of his death. If we want to know Him, we need to walk a little of the road he has walked and carry our crosses DAILY and follow him. I have felt such peace this week through prayer. I feel like when I am praying he is so near. I bet he aches at times for us not to be able to see Him, but for that, we need to do all we can and do whatever it takes to return to live with Him. He is the way the truth and the life. Through Him is everlasting life. He is all that matters. When we stand with him, no storm can be too great nor fire too fierce. I know He lives. One of the missionaries once said here...I think he was quoting someone..."Don`t tell God how big your storm is, tell your storm how great your God is." And Elder Groberg said, "Sometimes when storms rise, the Lord calms them. Other times when Squalls rage, the Lord calms his child." I know this to be true.

The work is going well and this week we met a 19-Year old guy who plays soccer professionally here. He is really great and is always smiling. When we met with him for the first time, we were teaching him about baptism. He then said, "So when can I be baptized then?" We were both blown away and so happy. Then the next appointment, we asked him why he wants to be baptized and he said, " I want to feel clean and start over. I want to be different than my teammates and be a good example for them." That strengthened my testimony so much of the cleansing power of baptism when done under the right authority.

I love you all. The church is true!

Always,

Hermana Salmon

August 30, 2011: What a Week!

Family,

This week was such a great week! We spent a lot of time in the clinica Kennedy this week with sick missionaries and we really made several great memories there. I, myself, was a little under the weather, but I am up and running again like new. I love being a missionary and I feel so blessed to be here and share the hope that we have with the missionaries, the investigators, and the members here in Ecuador. Its so real and I am completely filled of gratitude for the blessings the Lord gives us through his Gospel. My companion is wonderful and we really had a great week. We got to go and receive the new missionaries again this week...24 newbies!!! and be with them and President and Hermana Montalti in the temple. It was a wonderful time to reflect on where I am right now and where I want to be. I am grateful for new days and that we can change today and don`t have to wait until tomorrow and that we don`t have to carry around our burdens for our whole lives. Life is good and I feel happy as a clam. Love you all!

-Hermana Salmon

Secondary Note from Katie to Mom, but one we wanted to share.

Well as far as things go here, it has been an interesting week. I am doing very good, but I thought I would let you know that on Friday I got sick and I had to go stay in the clinic here for a few days to receive IV antibiotics. I left the clinic today and I am doing well. My companion was taking good care of me as well as President Montalti and Hermana Montalti. They went to the extremes to make sure I was well and President came the first night and stayed with me and Hermana Mairena until midnight with the Elders waiting outside to help. Elder Fletcher was one of them. I am so grateful for him. He is a great missionary. I have felt so loved this week as several of the missionaries came to help or called to return thanks for the times when we were with them in the clinic. During my time there, I received many answers to my prayers from weeks before. I realized, now more than ever, I am supposed to be here and that there are still many people here waiting for the Gospel that I need to find. I realize that I only have 7 or 8 months left and that is hardly nothing at all. Time is flying by so fast. Some investigators came to visit as well as converts, the ward mission leader and ward missionary, and I felt completely loved. I feel like this is my home for now and that I need to devote the last part of my mission to searching and baptizing. That is what it is all about. I love these people here so much and they have become so much apart of me. I feel so strongly that I am to be here and that sicknesses and rough days are just part of it. I am so grateful to be a missionary and counted in the Lord`s army and for that I know he will help me. President is taking very good care of me and one of the doctors said, "Wow President cares a lot about you" because he sent 3 doctors to come and see me every day. I feel very loved and with more excitement to get back to work. Please don`t worry for me at all. I am doing very well. If you could add in a few extra prayers for me and that I`ll get back to 100% very soon, that would be great. I am at about 90% right now just because I feel a little hospital-bed-weak...but my companion is taking great care of me. I know I am supposed to be here and that the power of the Priesthood is real. I look forward to keeping you updated on the people here in Ecuador who will come to find the Gospel. Thank you for praying for them. That gives me more strength to keep looking every day. Have a wonderful week and know your missionary is doing great and is very happy. Please tell the others to keep praying and going to church and the temple. It`s all so real and is the only way to true and lasting happiness.

Always,

Kate