7/12/10

Hey awesome family!

I had a good week, but my comp is sick. Way lame! When the Latins get sick, they think they are going to die! Ha! I was like Mom yesterday with my comp. He was SO sick he couldn't go to Church so we stayed at the house. He slept and I studied. Then when he woke up he was up walking around and talking about the World Cup. So, I looked at him and said, if you're sick then you have to rest. You can't do anything fun being sick! Basically, exactly what mom would have said to me if I was sick and didn't want to go to school. Ha! I thought it was funny.

Dad, sweet news about the lawn mower. I can't wait to get home and do wheelies with it like with the old one. Ha! Just kidding!

Mom, I'm not worrying about the house and getting it done, but when I do get home I'm going to help dad a bunch. Then school and saving money for something amazing! Ha! I let you in on that plan in about a year. Ha.

So, I have a spiritual experience for you. My comp and I were with an investigator named victor. He's 14 and getting baptized this Saturday, which is sweet! We have been teaching him for about a month and I never really felt he was ready to get baptized. Well, we went to visit him about 2 day before his baptism and when I saw him I saw a light and I knew in that moment that he was ready to be baptized. It was amazing! So, that's my experience for this week.

Ok, Tay-man that is sweet! 10 numbers? That-a-boy! You still have much to learn though, but i'll teach you. Don't worry.

Annie, that's sweet about the flip flopps.

Chrissy the boat is lame! The mustang was way cooler. Sell the boat and buy a Camero. That is the way it should be. Ha! I'm glad you all had fun.

I hope you like the pics!

Ok, les amo
 
Con amor

Elder Edginton

7/5/10

Hey my great family!

First off, I am going strait to college and saving money so that I can build a business here in Ecuador. It's going to be sweet!

So, I was very sad when I left Otavalo. basically to the point of crying. But, then I remembered what you said to me mom. You said that I will love the people anywhere I go. Well, that didn't help much at that point, but then me and my comp were going to visit this family called the familia Morocho and the moment that I stepped into the house the spirit just hit me! Kind of like how Aunt Shannan says, "HELLO! What are you doing? You are here for theses people. You are here to help them know what this gospel is all about!" Ha! After that point everything changed. I feel great again! Ha! So, that's my spiritual experience.

As far as the camera is concerned, a Sister from my ward is going to visit her family that lives in the states. So, I was thinking that I could give you the address and when she is there you can send her the camera. It is way safer to send stuff in the states. When she finishes her visit with her family she can bring it to me. She speaks English, too. If want to talk to her you can. I will give her our number.

It's all good here and the pizza is amazing. I eat SO much because it's SO good. Oh, and I left my Jamcam at Shannan`s house. When you send this package make sure to send a bunch of stuff because it will be cheap.

I don't remember if Tay had any other questions, but Dad, take it easy working on the house. When I get back, you and I are going to finish the house in 2 weeks! Bam! Done! Ha! That's how we do!

I am thinking about putting a pizza place down here. It would be a huge success and the bills to run the place for a month would be like $500! Ha! That's for everything; food, water, and lights. Dad, you want in? That's not for another 11 months, though. Then we can talk more about it. Ha!

I love you all a bunch. I will write the address later.

Les amo mucho!

Con amor

Elder Edginton

6/28/10

Well, I heard about Grandma Haws. That's sad, but I know that we will see her again. Tell Perry, "What's up?!" or "Que tal!?". Ha!

We went ice skating today, so that was fun. My comp was dieing. It was way funny. It's been good here. I took some sweet pics for mom, so I hope that she likes them.

Dad, I can't believe that you blew up the lawnmower! I never did anything THAT bad! Gosh! Ha! I hope all is well.

We had zone conference and, yes, mom my new sector is way different. I live about 200 feet away from the airport. So, I don't sleep too well. But, I'm getting used to it.

I still miss my buddies in Otavalo. I am very glad that I was sent there. Those 7 months I spent there were amazing. We are working incredibly hard here. My area is a hard area. We keep finding new people, but they are all wicked. For example, the kids just want to party all the time. They don't want to change. One of the kids invited us to a party. We just looked at her and said that she was crazy and that she needed to change her life. Ha!

Dad you'd better get ripped. I am waking up at 6 every morning and working out. It's all for the mucho fishes in the sea! Tay-man, way to go with the ladies. When I get home I'll take you to the dances in my black Subaru WRX.

Mom, next Friday we are going to make your rolls with a Sister from Chile. I am way excited! Ha!

Chrissy, my quad posters had better still be up. Also, I am taking that bed when i get home. Ha! Annie, porque esta tan loca. You're way crazy! Breaking things? I am glad to hear that you are getting your cast off soon. That's sweet!

I love you all! I hope that you like the pics. Bye, bye!

Con amor

Elder Edginton

6/21/10

So, I like the improvement in the letter writing! Keep it up!

I am in Logan's old ward now, so that's sweet. The members are way sweet, but they don't really help us that much. We are trying to change that, though. We had interviews with the President and he gave me permission to get after the members for not helping us. Ha! It was way funny.

So, I was thinking about Dad coming and think that I would really like it if at least Tay and you, Mom, came too. I want you all to see the joy that is here and the love that I share with the people in both, Otavalo and here in Quito. I didn't really think I really made a difference in Otavalo. However, when I left everyone kept saying things like thank you, thank you for everything you have done, you have a sweet heart and blessed our families so much.

Mom, I love you guys SO much! I never really showed that love with you guys when I was back at home. But, here I've really let myself shine. Every night I pray and ask our Father in Heaven to bless you guys and the families that I teach and families that I have taught. I've never cared about other people as much as I do now. So, if all of you could come, please do! Sell the boat for heaven sakes!! I hate that thing! Ha! As a family goal I would like all of you to come. I know that the experience would bless you all and really make a difference in your lives. Sorry, the spirit told me to say it. Ha!

Anyway, it's all good out here. Ethan Gallaway is home. Man, Portuguese is just drunken Spanish!

Mom, I am going to bear my testimony in Spanish and Kichwa for you in my Otavalo clothes and everything. I attached 2 photos. So, I hope that you enjoy. If you could send me my Jamcam that would be sweet. Just hide it in the package and say it's just candy. That way it should get to me.

Well, I love you all so much! Dad, just a year left and I will weed-eat the whole field for you. If you want you can work me like a rented mule! Ha! Well, juyani!

Con amor,

Elder Edginton

6/14/10

So, I had a crazy week! I got the door slammed in my face about 200 times. However, we do have 2 baptisms this months. Oh, and I would love love to send pics to you but I got Robbed!

Man, I was mad. I wanted to do something but then I realized, oh ya you've got a knife and I'm a servant of the Lord. Would Christ beat the trash out of the person? Nope! So, off they went with my camera. That's how it is for a gringo here in Ecuador. Ha!

Other then that, it's been all good. We are teaching a lot and everyone here is crazy about the World cup, which is going on right now.

We went bowling today and I dominated, which was sweet! It was only 3 bucks to bowl as much as we wanted. Oh, and Dad, don't worry. Next week I am buying us Ray-ban sunglasses. I also need to know when I need to talk to the President about you coming. That way you can order your ticket now so that it will be cheaper.

Tay, write more! I know that I'm the best bro ever, but whats happening in your life? Annie and Chrissy write more than both you. Dad, that goes for you too... sometimes. Ha! Mom, good work! You dominate with writing.

Here is the address to send the package to:

Manuel Sanchez
Ecuador -Otavalo
Sector 4 Esquinas Cotama
telifono 062924803
cel 088553024


con amor

Elder Edginton

P.S. I will try and figure out what to do for a camera. So, don't worry about it, ok? love you all

6/7/10

Ok, so I finally got a change! It was really sad. We called over to the famliy Muñoz´s house, which is my favorite family here in Ecuador. We all cried and bore our testimonies. I thanked them all for what they did. I felt like I was leaving my home again. It was SO sad.

So, now I am here in Quito in the ward of President Sloan! Way crazy! Ha! My new comp is from here and his name is Elder Cohrnes. He is pretty cool. I know that we are going to have success. I just miss Otavalo, but like mom says, I am here for a reason. I am going to love these people no matter what.

Oh, and guess what? I ate Mcdonalds for the first time after 6 months! Sweet right? So, all is good. I am just down emotionally because I miss all the families in Otavalo, but I know I am here for a reason.

Well, I hope you guys all have fun. Just send me the package for the girls and i'll get it to them. I left the address for the care packages in the house and i'll send it next week. I hope that's OK.

Well, I love you SO much and I hope you are all doing well.

con amor

Elder Edginton

5/31/10

Hey amazing family!

Sounds like a big huge party at the house. Ha! Everyone seems very busy, which sounds good. Thank for ignoring my question, but it's all good. Ha! Oh, and I hope that Annie had a great b-day. Speaking of b-days, the pics that I attached are of my b-day with the familia Muñoz. Dad and I are going to stay with them. I love that family SO much.

Well, in the month coming up we should have 5 baptisms; maybe more. So, that should be exciting. Oh, and changes are in a week. I am SO excited! I cant stand my comp. Ha! That's life though, here in the mission.

There is this return missionary here his name is Armando. He reminds me of max, which is pretty sweet. He is learning English so he always asks about all theses weird phrases like... "What the heck?" and stuff like that. I am going to teach him "There's a snake in my boot!" Ha!

I heard that there's a Toy Story 3 out now! Way sweet! That's a must watch when when I get back. Ha Ha.

Well, I'm trying to think if there is anything else... oh, with the packages, I think that I will have you send them to the Muñoz family. I think... I'll check with them. For now, though, just plan on sending them to me. Okey dokey? Oh, and don't forget, for my 1 year package, make sure to send the pics to Tiffany. Ha!

Well I love you mucho, mucho! Ha!

Con mucho amor

Elder Edginton

5/24/10

Hey family!!!

So, why in the world is the Mustang gone? I have tears in my eyes :( ...but, yeah, that's OK. Dad we will build something nasty when I get home. I was thinking a 69 Camero, baby! Hide-away lights; the real deal.

ANNIE FELIZ CUMLI AÑOS! Maybe i'll be home for your b-day next year. We'll see! Ha! 

Well, I am still here in Otavalo, which is sweet. I get to bless a baby in the next 2 weeks. I'm kind of scared, but it'll be sweet. So, I get to wear my Otavalo clothes for the blessing; it's tradition. I am way excited!

We have a bunch of families that we are teaching. We are trying to teach this family, the family Ramos. If we can start teaching them we could have up to 30 baptisms, which would be amazing!

So, Dad, I was wondering, I don't know what to do for money when i get back. I have a year left and I was wondering if you could give me my banshee so that I can sell it and use that money for school. The lord.... school... good job.... and toys, right? Ha! I was just wondering if we could make some sort of plan.

Well, I am still with my nerd but he is doing better so that's always good. I also taught an FHE and cooked pancakes for the family. They loved it! Ha!

I am doing great! Thank you all for your support. Tay, I am always praying for you all and I will pray for you too my little punk bro. Dad if you could take a spanish class or something that would be helpful. Ha!

Well, I love you all! Take care! Oh, and dad you can't sell the sandrocket. Max was way mad at you for selling a bunch of stuff. So, I think the lord is trying to tell you something.....

con mucho amor... Oh, the pics are sweet. Me eating lunch today. Ha! Send those to Tiffany too please :) Les amo!
 
Elder Edginton

5/17/10

What's up everyone?

First, my health is back and we are teaching everywhere. Our sector is huge!

Also, I don't know if you guys can help but I was just wondering... I went to a family home evening last night and I was talking with everyone and I noticed that one of the Moms wasn't in with us. I asked around to see where she was and the family told me that she was in the kitchen. So, I went into the kitchen and talked to her. I noticed that she was really sad and had been crying. I asked her about what had happened and she just shook her head. I told her that if she wanted to talk about what was wrong I could see if I could help. Well, at this point she started crying. She told me that earlier that day in church she had brought money to pay for her sons mission, $300! Well, she left her bag in the chapel for like 3 minutes. When she came back the money was gone. Now she doesn't know what to do. She said that she will have to cancel her sons mission for about a year because it's very difficult for the family to save money.

Mom, Dad can we do anything to help them? Like, selling my banshee or selling anything that I still have. I just want to help them. The sadness that was in this sister´s eyes made me SO sad. I love that family. I consider that family a part of our family. So, if we can do anything please let me know.

Other than that the week has been awesome. I had a talk this week. I talked about you, Mom. I talked about how you always read something to us in the morning. I talked about Dad, when he broke the TV during that family home evening. Ha! Everyone loved that part. They said that my talk was amazing, but they weren't going to brake their TVs. Ha!

Please send those photos of Tiffany. That would be sweet. Oh, and Tay-Man, study, pray and pray some more. And, yes, I will pray for you. Chrissy, that's sweet about volleyball. They play a lot here, but it's a bit different. I'll teach you when I get home. Annie, yes I got your joke. Man, what I would give to go to KFC right now! Ha! I miss it SO much!

Mom, everyone wants a copy of my book. So, I'm making copies for all of the Moms. Ha! Dad, did you sell the Stang? I NEED to know! You are killing me! I want it and I am willing to buy it when i get home, ok? Well, let me know.

I love you all SO much!

con amor
Elder Edginton

5/3/10

Hola, my wonderfull family!!!!!!!!!!!

I am feeling better, but I'm still really tired all the time. At least I am doing a lot better, which is great! Ha! Also, there are a bunch of pics. A lot of them are of me and elder Zundel, my main man from arizona, having good times together. Ha!

I got all the packages that you sent. They were sweet! Thanks sooo much! Tell Bro O. that he is the man and tell Sister O. that they are the best. Ha! The people loved the recommend holders SO much. Tell them that I love them... but not in a weird way. Ha!

My comp and I are doing well. I really felt Max's pain when he wrote about needing to have a lot of patience, due to his comp. I need to have a lot patience with my comp as well. All he talks about are video games! It's all good, though.

I have a number that you can call, 092525861. Call that and I will return your call Sunday morning, ok? There might be a place where i can call for free. I will let you know. Ha!

Ok, I've got to go. The internet here is horrible.

Dad you can sell the rocket, but NOT the Stang! I will pray that it won't sell, if i have to!

Mom in my interview with Elder Nash, all we talked about was you and dad! Ha! Man, I love my family SO much! Sorry if this is a short letter but I have to go do a family home evening.

Elder Edginton

4/26/10

Hey everyone!

I hope that you all had a wonderful week! I got a new comp from Mexico. He's a total goober. Ha! I asked him what he likes to do and he said "Play video games and watch Starwars" Ha! It's all good though. It's cool having a nerd for a comp. Oh, and my B-Day was sweet! This family had a surprise B-Day party for me. They tricked us by asking us to come teach at a family home evening. Well, we got there and sang an opening song and then afterward they pulled this box down from the top of the fridge. In the box was a birthday cake! We sang and ate cake. So, I am feeling a lot better which is always good. Ha!

Oh, and get this, Elder Nash from the 70 is coming here. One of the things he is doing is interviewing 3 missionaries and asking them how their mission is going... and I was picked! I get to talk to elder Nash! So, I am really excited for that.

I had a great B-Day. Thank you for all the wishes! Oh, and Mom could you and the girls put together a little package for 3 little girls here? They just want a little doll and a bag of candy. I told them that I would ask if you could do it. It's just something small for them. Candy and dolls, ok?

Well thanks again. I wrote you all a mothers day letter so I hope you get them soon. I love you all. Dad, when I get home i will fix the mower for you everyday if you want, ok?


con amor
Elder Edginton

4/24/10

Thank you all for the happy B-Day wishes!

Here in Otavalo my P-Day got changed to Monday. So, now I will be writing you all on Mondays, ok?

I love you all and, oh ya, guess what? I am way sick. Throwing up blood again and all that jazz. Ha! I found out that I have a stomach infection so I can't really eat anything for a couple more days. I think I'm getting better.

Well, I know that lord will provide. Oh, and Chad Cooley is going on a mission! Crazy stuff! The church is true. Ha! Well, take care and thanks again for all the happy B-Day wishes. The big 20 is tomorrow! Way crazy!

con amor
Elder Edginton

4/16/10

Hey my wonderful family,

We have changes tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Kind of scared, but what happens will happen for a reason. I hope that dad is having a fun time at Kool April nights in the beast! Dad, you had better not sell that stang! I want to buy it after you get super old and can't drive anymore. And then I can pass it along to my son. Ha!

Things are going well here. It's just sad to see Elder Mar go. It is really sad, and he wont extend! Ha! I keep telling him to, but he won't! Ha! Oh, you know how dad would always say "WOW" when we would do stuff that was, like, way dumb? I taught that to Elder Mar. Now he says it all the time! He taught me what his dad does too. His Dad claps and say bien hecho (Good Job), Ha! Ha!.

Nothing too special is going on. Yesterday we baptized two people for the Sisters in our zone. Their daughter is in love with me! I found out that she has a picture of me and kisses it every night... ya that's a little weird, no? Other then that all is well here in Otavalo. I love it here and don't want to leave. If i do get a change, I don't want a change to Quito! That would be horrible. I want to go to the coast. That would be way sweet. The people talk really fast there. I think that it would be fun. I will lose my kichiwa, though, but it's all good.

Well, I love you all! Dad do a fat burn-out for me and send me a pic. Ha! Well, I love you all sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. Take care, talk to you guys soon.

con amor,
Elder Edginton

4/9/10

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the sweet letter!!!! So, yeah I talked to the puche arrows yesterday and they said that they received my package and that I should get it today. So, that should be sweet. Oh yeah... so crazy stuff went down. My old comp did get sent home and now I am in a trio with Elder Mar and Elder Zundel. It's way sweet and we are having way too much fun. So, now that means I am in this sector for another change, which also means that i'll be here for my b-day and my 1 year mark. Crazy right? Ha! I do miss my old sector though. Every time I see someone from my old sector they freak out and run up to me and ask me where I am, why I got changed, and if I could come visit them. All I can say is that I miss them all very much and that I will be back in 14 months to visit them and to not worry.

The work is going well and we have a bunch of investigators, so that's even sweeter. This new sector is cool but I miss my home, as i call it.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Edginton

4/5/10

So, conference was way sweet and I loved it! I loved the priesthood session so much. It was weird, I couldn't stop thinking about Dad and Tay-man while I was listening to that session. I remembered all the sweet dune trips we had and all the memories we had on those trips. I know I will never forget them. Also, i remembered when I was back at home and I would always touch Dads face in church and he would get mad. It just makes me laugh! Ha!

Through the whole conference all of you were in my heart and I felt that you all were very close. It was amazing. I love you all so much. Ok, another exciting thing... I can cook now! Ha! I made some VERY good pasta with meat sauce for my comp. He said it was "muy rico". Ha! So, that's always good. Oh and my comp thinks I'm crazy because I love this new drink that came out. It's green lemonade! That's all I drink now. Ha! There is a photo with me in my bed with a bottle of it. Also, I was really sad when I saw all the members from my old ward. They all flipped out and ran to talk to me. The ladies flocked to talk to elder Edginton! Ha! They all said that I needed to come by, but i had to tell them that I couldn't and that it wasn't my sector anymore. They all said I had better come back or they would hate me forever! Ha! One girl said it was funny. Then the sweetest thing happened (sorry Dad I do have a little bit of mom in me). I was saying goodbye to a family that was in my old sector and while I was shaking all of their hands, one little girl that I love SO much, we would always play hand games and she would make fun of me and say that I was in love with Tiffany, she shook my hand then gave me a big hug and wouldn't let go! I couldn't let her go either it was as if I was leaving my family again. Then I began to tear up (better than saying I was crying... ha!). I said that one day I would come back and she could make fun of me again about Tiffany. She was so excited that she made me promise about 5 times. She then let go and said that she loved me and we went our separate ways. I included a photo of the family. I hope that you can all meet them one day.

Well, I had a good, yet, sad week but we just keep going on in the Lord's work with love in our hearts. I love you all.


Con mucho, mucho amor
Elder Edginton

3/27/10

Hola Familia,

So, I had a good week. First, I have a new comp now, his name is Elder Mar. He is from Peru and way tight. The only sad thing is that he is finishing his mission up and will be going home in 21 days! So, I am pretty sad about that. The baptisms went well and I was able to baptize the bishop's daughter, which was really fun. I am her godfather now! Ha! How sweet is that? So I received a new sector and house and everything so some of the pics are of me leaving my old house after 6 months. It was sad. You can see my collection of soda bottles. Ha! I loved that house. My DVS shoes were getting holes in them so I took them to a shoe shop and they put tire on them for me! So, I will have my DVS forever! It's way sweet and has great traction on the street. Oh, and I was thinking about what I want for my B-day and from the Easter bunny... Bisquick and pics & stuff. I guess maybe you should send me one of my fox shirts or something. Oh, and could you guys get me temple recommend holders, like 10 of them and send them? There are some members here that want them. They don't make them here. So, could you send a bunch of different ones with Jesus on them?

Thank you for everything! Oh, and a guy from my ward is going to Jesse's mission. I might send something with him for Jesse. So could you have Jesse email me that would be sweet... he is going to OEIRAS LISBOA PORTUGAL and his name is Patricio Arellano and his number is 00351 916515835.



Thanks and I hope you guys had a great time in the temple love you all!

3/19/10

Hola!

So, crazy good and sad week. I am senor comp now and we have a baptism today.We have another one on Tuesday, thanks to gpa. There is a man that we are teaching and he has cancer and we were over teaching and the wife began asking us a bunch of questions. She then started crying. She said that she wants her husband to be baptized because she doesn't know when he is going to die. I then told her about good old gpa and how we thought that same thing at times. Right after that they asked if he could be baptized on Tuesday next week. So, that's the good news.

I got both packages and thanks mom for the book i reed it every night and i cry every time I read it because i think of you reading it to me when i was little. :) Ok, here is the bad news. So, I got my new comp and I felt like there was something different about him. The president then talked to me and I guess he went to a club and stuff in his last zone and the members saw him and called the to let the president know. So, on Monday he has to go to Quito and get interviewed. He might even get sent home. but we will see. So, that's the bad news. Other then that, all is great! Dad your pic is sweet and I'm going to get to talk to you guys soon! How sweet is that? In may baby!!!!!

Well, I hope all is well. Forward this to everyone. I don't have a lot of time. I have to go get ready for a baptism! Chao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Elder Edginton

3/12/10

Hola mi Familia

So, I had a sweet week! I got a new comp this week. It ended me and Elder Redwood's 5 months together. My new comp is Elder Durte. He is cool and we are already having success which is always good. Ha! Thanks for praying for the De La Torre family. We now have a date and they will be baptized on the 28th. We are going to have another baptism on the 20th. It will be a little girl that is 10. Her family was inactive but now the family is back to church! We reactivated a family of 16, too! Man, I love this work! What I like to do is a make them deals. I say, "Ok, if you go to church for 3 Sundays I will make lunch for you and your family. I always make grilled cheesers. They all love it! Ha! It's all going great! I got a package. I will go get it later today. I also sent a bunch of pics.

Tell Tay-man to keep that ball and take a pic. Also, I keep sending pics, so where are mine? Ha! What's up with Tiffany carter :( I want to hear from here. What did you say to her mom? You better not have scared her away! Ha! Oh, get this, my "Dad" here in the mission is my neighbor now, Elder Schulties. It's way cool. We talk about times of old. It's way sweet. Well, I hope is all well. And could you guys email me the pics that Tiffany sent me on my yahoo please? Thanks... and now Dad here is your letter.


Why you are on a mission advice etc...

Well, the first thing that my mission president said to all the missionaries was to man up! Ha!

He said that we are here on a mission to teach the gospel and to learn... and to eat all the weird food you can, because there isn't and cow and duck foot soup, or soup with chicken heads and feet, at home! Yummy!!!!!

If you can learn a new language or at least try to, do it!

Here is my testimony in Spanish.. Yo se que esta iglesia es veradera con todo mi corizon. Tambien, por medio de esta iglesia teniemos la oportunidad ser con nuestras familias para siempre. Antes de mi mision no tenia un testimonio como ahora y yo se cada una persona puede tener un testimonio sobre esta iglesia por medio de la fe en jesucriso... en el nombre de jesucristo amen