HAPPY YEAR!

Nobody says Happy New Years! Only Happy Year! And wow, we are officially in the year 2025!!! That means I'm be a missionary all this year! It's gonna be good. I think an Ecuador new years gives 4 of July a run for its money. Just fireworks in all directions exactly at 12 o clock. Luckily we had permission to stay up till 12:30, so we could see it all go down!! Also burning little cardboard characters that they made. Then throwing fireworks on them so that they explode faster. We could see Sonic get absolutely demolished from where we were at. Besides that music and partying everywhere all through the night. At 10 am, still going hard. 

This week was a grinder. We've been finding people to teach and help them in whatever way we can! An elderly couple came to church that we invited! They are awesome! The only downside is that they aren't married but we are working on that with them! They both are very well read in the Bible which is really cool. They asked what Bible we used, and this old lady runs inside and grabs here totally marked out Reina Valera addition. They really want to follow the example of Jesus Christ! That made the restoration lesson so fun to teach! They understood that it was the truth and are now marking up their Libro de Mormón! We pray for them every night that they can get all their things figured out to be married. Send your prayers up for Eulalia and Vicente! 

We went pretty deep into the Area in a little bit of jungle you might say. Invasiónes! There was a mini dirt soccer field, and there were 4 kids walking by and we said we wanted to play! They started to come down and I said, "No, everyone." So they all started running and got about 15 more 10-18 year Olds to come play. It was really fun and we got to invite everyone to come to church and meet a lot of friends. 

At this point of the mission, I'm just trying to focus as hard as I can. Some days are tough but it's all part of the test. We are just gonna keep grinding! I read the other day that the Atonement gives us protection in our everyday life. The atonement of Jesus Christ really affects everything in our lives. We just have to permit it to be part of every part of our lives. But I understand that's hard. I forget all the time and that's all I'm trying to focus on. As we develop the HABIT of allowing the atonement and the guidance of the holy spirit in our lives we have Jesus helping us every step of the way. Good times! 
Selah!

In case I don't see yah, Buenas Tardes, Buenas Noches, y Buenas Noches,
Élder Sheppert


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