Last 6 months of the mission

Jared was in Las Lomitas until March 24th with Elder Segundo.  He taught Elder Segundo many basic life skills, helped him learn Spanish, and introduced him to pizza and chocolate milk (which he hadn't had before).  Jared liked how happy Elder Segundo was despite his background and the many challenging things he faced in trying to serve a mission.  Elder Segundo came with basically one white shirt and pair of slacks.  He borrowed some of Jared's clothes until he got some more.  Jared also ended up giving him his rain jacket.  

Jared spent the next 12 weeks (until the middle of June) in Pirayu with Elder Garcia from Argentina.  Then he served 4 weeks in Aveiro with Elder Walker from Idaho.  The mission split from 2 to 3 missions in July.  Jared went to the newly formed Paraguay South Mission, although he didn't have to transfer anywhere.  He spent his last 6 weeks in Aveiro with Elder Barentsen from Montana.  Jared was able to be a part of 33 baptisms during his mission, but he also taught and served many others who didn't choose to be baptized.  One of the more memorable people that he taught didn't get baptized, but Jared witnessed this man make great changes in his life.  A couple of the fun things he enjoyed was playing soccer and a game called piki voley on his preparation days. Piki is like volleyball except you use everything except your hands.  He got to watch Paraguay play in two World Cup soccer games (the first was won in penalty kicks, so it was a very exciting time.)  He got to go to the Paraguay Asuncion Temple a few different times.  A few of the hard things, besides people unwilling to make commitments, was dealing with roaches in his apartment, getting a ringworm, and dealing with the rain or heat.

In June, Jared asked us about extending his mission by 4 weeks.  I immediately said, "No Jared!  Don't do it!"  I was being selfish with my time with him, wanting to spend a full month with him before he left for college.  However, he went on to explain that his mission president had asked for volunteers to extend their mission to help fill the empty spots in the transition from 2 to 3 missions.  They weren't bringing in enough new missionaries to fill all the spots.  After finding out that the extension wouldn't cut into the fall semester of college, I felt a little more okay with it, although still sad that we wouldn't have much time with him.  I told him to pray about it and make sure it was right for him and not just the "helper" in him that always wants to help out.  I knew what he was going to do after talking with him, and I sent him a message expressing that I knew what he was going to do and I would be okay.  He was supposed to come home the end of July.  We later found out that the 4-week transfer happened first, and if he hadn't extended he actually would have been home mid-July (2 weeks earlier).  His extension was a normal full 6-week transfer.  His return date was Tuesday August 25th, which meant we would see him for only 5 days before he left for college.  

It was hard for me to process, but I knew he was supposed to extend his mission. I think during his last 6 weeks, he was able to help 5 more people get baptized.  As I think about those 5 lives that were changed for the better (and likely the ripple effect on others' lives), I found much peace in giving up Jared for one extra month.  Jared shared a quote from Elder Bednar that expressed this ability to focus more on the needs of others:

"As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and interests and more on understanding and addressing the needs of others.  We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and become increasingly Christlike.  Charity then ultimately possesses us."  

I know Jared was changed in the process of serving and he was able to more closely follow the Savior and be like Him.  Jared expressed his happiness to be part of the Lord's work.  He learned how to gain more success in finding people by following the influence of the Holy Ghost.  Jared also showed great faith and had miracles happen on his mission.  A story was shared about Jared (which he hadn't even thought to mention to us).  Our friend Janet called us and asked if Jared had told us the story about the locked gate.  We hadn't heard about it, so we listened with great interest when she shared what the mission president had shared with her, in the words of the stake president: 

"In the Las Lomitas branch, during a year-end dinner, I went to buy a soda from a shop located in front of the chapel.  When I arrived, I found the main door locked.  Since I have the stake key (literally), I opened the door, but I couldn't remove the key from the lock.  I spent about five minutes trying to take it out, but I couldn't do it.  So, I left the key in the gate, went to buy the soda, brought it to the table at the branch activity, and then returned to try again... This time, I tried for about twenty minutes without any success.  At that moment, the elders from Las Lomitas - the missionaries - arrived.  Elder (Jared), noticing the difficulty I was having, said:

--Can't you remove the key?

I replied:

--No, I can't.

He folded his arms and said:

--Let's say a prayer; I'll offer it.

He said it in such a pure and innocent way that I agreed to his request, even though it didn't seem like the right place or moment to me.  There I was, with my hands on the key in the lock standing by the street, while he offered the prayer.  He began by giving thanks for the day, for the morning, for the blessings we receive, and so on, while people passed by in front of us... It was an uncomfortable moment for me.  The scripture came to my mind that says, "When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men." I even thought, "This isn't necessary; I can just leave the key in the lock and call the facilities manager to send a locksmith." 

However, it was sure a pure, sincere, and special prayer for him that I didn't dare touch the key.  When he finished, I said:

--Elder, would you do us the honor?

The elder took the key, pulled it, and it came out without any problem.  I was amazed by that experience.  I felt bad about myself for not having enough faith to believe that Heavenly Father can answer our prayers, even in the simplest and most insignificant things.  I learned that the Lord can answer our prayers if we offer them fervently, with faith, and as James says, "believing that ye shall receive."  I literally saw the scripture fulfilled: "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

That mission president also expressed that Jared was one of the most obedient missionaries he had seen.  I know Jared's striving to obey with exactness and his faith allowed him to see miracles throughout his mission. 

Here is part of what Jared shared in his last email: "Last week we saw many miracles. Our friend's baptism had fallen through a couple Sundays already, so we weren't so sure if it was going to happen on Sunday. Her mom was determined to do everything she could to help her though, and her mom isn't even a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. We didn't see our friend all week until Saturday when we passed by to confirm plans. We left not very convinced that she was getting baptized... what a miracle it was when her mom told us over the phone that they were all up and getting ready! God is good and taught me to have more faith in Christ and in our friends...

I want to testify of the love of our Heavenly Father. I have felt it as I've served His children. I have been here to help others to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Living these principles has blessed my life, and I have seen the change they've had on others. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and the words it contains in 2 Nephi 25:23 "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." I know that Jesus is my Savior and the Christ."

He had a great mission and served faithfully for just over 2 years. Well done Jared! I made a video but it's too large to share here. I chose a couple songs that seemed to be a theme for his mission. Here are the words:


Walk With Me
When you're walking through the fire and your feet are worn and scarred, there's a source of living water that can heal your weary heart. You see the Savior's footsteps and you feel His guiding light. He is calling out to you. He says, "Walk with me, and I will calm your troubled waters. Walk with me; I will make your mountains move. Oh, take my hand when you're feeling heavyhearted. Walk with me, and I will walk with you."

He walked on desert highways to go and find the one. He lifted up the broken and showed the world His love. And when we walk beside Him, He gives His power to us. He is calling out to you. He says, Walk with me...


Witness
I see the waters part when I kneel down and pray. I've seen my selfish heart soften and change. Through all the silence I can't stay quiet. I'll shout it out to the sky wherever He takes me, every day of my life. I will try to be like Him, shine a light in the darkness. I'll be a witness and live the way He lived at all times and all places. Whatever happens, I'll be a witness of all His love, a witness of what He's done. I'll stand and tell everyone in all times and all places. I'll be a witness.

I'll raise my hand and say I've been saved by His love. My Savior took my place, and after all He has done, through all the silence I won't stay quiet. I'll shout it out to the sky wherever he takes me, every day of my life. I will try to be like Him...I'll be a witness.

He's Home!

Nathan stayed in Ibarra (and Quito North) to finish out his mission, with Elder Bybee.  They had 6 more baptisms during those last 5-6 weeks - Alejandra, Isabel, Didier, Pamela, Vanessa, and Danny.  Danny was his last baptism, which was just a couple days before the end of his mission.  Alejandra's mom had been baptized about a month prior to her daughter, so that was pretty special.  Isabel and Didier were 2 kids whose parents are waiting to get baptized after they get married.  Pamela was a special baptism as well, since she had connections with church members in Esmeraldas (where Nathan had served recently and knew her friends).  Pamela shared her testimony that a big part of her conversion was reading the Book of Mormon.  

Nathan also shared his experience with the Book of Mormon:  "This week I have felt the power of the Book of Mormon.  It constantly testifies of Christ and my testimony has been strengthened.  I am marking all scriptures that refer to the Savior in yellow and I noticed that a lot of the pages are completely yellow.  It is another testament of Jesus Christ.  I testify of the power of the Savior.  I have felt His hand in my life and as I have served.  I have even felt him at my side.  He is all powerful and there is nothing he can't do.  I also know he died for us and now he lives.  We can be forgiven and we can overcome all things.  Mistakes, pains, sicknesses, and weaknesses.  He is who makes this work possible.  So I invite y'all to look for the Savior more earnestly in your life.  'Look unto him in every thought, doubt not, fear not'.  I am constantly praying for more faith and that He may continue to change my heart."  

Nathan got to visit and teach in a drug rehabilitation facility.  He said, "The spirit was so strong in the visit as we shared with them about the hope that comes from Christ."  He got a new mission president the beginning of July - President and Sister Bradshaw.  President Bradshaw served his mission in Paraguay (where Jared is now serving).  Nathan got to translate from Spanish to English for Sister Bradshaw at zone conference since she was just learning Spanish.  

As a zone, they got to cook hamburgers for a meal the week of the 4th of July.  He got to have some fun with the other missionaries one day - doing cartwheels, push-ups, and weightlifting each other!  It's not all work and no play - they get to have a little bit of goofing around.  

Nathan also got to see Cascadas de Peguche, a 50-foot waterfall in Otavalo.  The area is classified as an indigenous ceremonial site because of the cleansing baths done there before the Inti Raymi ceremony, so it's considered a sacred place to the indigenous people.  

Even down to the very last week, Nathan was meeting people, being in the right place at the right time.  They met a man named Jorge, who about 10 years prior had met with missionaries and loved the lessons.  However, one day the missionaries never came back.  Jorge talked about how he loves the Book of Mormon and how it teaches us that the Savior was in the Americas.  He knew it made a lot of sense, so it was great that they ran into him that day to teach him more.  

Here is Nathan's last thoughts before he left:  "Honestly I wouldn't be able to describe the experience in this email.  But I know this is God's work.  He guides us through the spirit and through prophets and our leaders.  I have seen lives change and my life has changed.  I know the Savior Jesus Christ lives and His sacrifice makes it possible to change and be able to return to God's presence.  I love Ecuador and the people here.  I will always remember them!! And I am going to miss the beautiful landscape here.  I want to thank each one of you for the support these past 2 years and I hope that y'all can see the light of Christ in the gospel!!  See y'all around!!"  

Alejandra

Pamela, Isabel, and Didier

Old and new mission presidents, switching out

Cascadas de Peguche

Vanessa

His apartment, showing where he washed his clothes. 

                                                                                                     Danny

Last night in Ibarra

Nathan left Ecuador on July 29th and flew to Atlanta with 4 other missionaries.  It was nice to get a photo from Atlanta from the older sister missionary traveling with them.  Nathan flew from Atlanta to Salt Lake City on July 30th and then on to home.  We had a group waiting to welcome him home!  Savannah made the poster for him.  It was exciting to see him come down the escalator, and everyone knew that I got the first hug!

Directly from the airport, we met with the Stake President so Nathan could officially be released from his mission service.  It was a tender moment watching him take off the name tag and put it in his pocket.  While he won't wear the name tag anymore, we know he'll continue to be a witness for Jesus Christ as he moves on to the next chapters in his life.  We're proud of him for his service and sacrifice to help others come to Christ.  Of course in the process, he also changed and developed a stronger relationship with God and Jesus Christ. It was a great blessing to watch him grow these past 2 years!  We're also excited to have him back home. 

We went out to our favorite hamburger place after we met with the Stake President.  It was a bit of culture shock for him to be back in his home town.  I think it was surreal for Nathan to walk in the door at home.  He had some of his favorite things waiting for him on the table.  And he had to go say "hi" to Kai.  One of the first things he did was look in the fridge and noticed it was full of food!  Most of the time while on his mission, the fridge was pretty empty.  Nathan spent some time unpacking and going through his things.  We loved his croc "slides" or whatever the footwear is called.  He brought back a few other souvenirs too.  He brought back some Ecuadorian ties which the boys were excited to wear.

He was so exhausted by the time he got home.  That last picture in the collage is fitting (not taken the first day, but a couple days later).  He just wanted to be able to sit on the couch.  You can see he crashed on the couch while reading his scriptures - worn out in the service of God for the last 2 years.  That's a well-earned nap on the couch - well done Nathan!

Mt Whitney

Alex and the boys checked one thing off their bucket list - they summited Mt Whitney!  It was a bit of a last minute decision to do the trip, and we weren't sure if it would work out, but Jared and Alex really wanted to do it, so they made it happen.  This is what Alex said on Facebook:  "It's been over 20 years since I last climbed a 14-er (mountain over 14,000 feet), but I did it this week under much cooler conditions - with three of my boys (Jared, Owen, and Weston).  As part of a 50 mile backpacking trip we climbed Mount Whitney - along with two other passes - Kearsage (11,700 feet) and Forester (13,200 feet).  Really proud of Weston for pushing through - by far the youngest kid out there."

They spent 5 days for the trip (including travel time to get there), so they were out there for 4 nights.  Weston started feeling a little sick one day (likely a combination of altitude and dehydration), so Jared and Owen carried Weston's backpack for a little while.  But mostly, Weston pushed through and carried his own pack.  They all made it!  It was a great bonding experience for them.

They took pictures of the flowers for me because they know I love them!