Reminiscing

I have been reminiscing about my mission quite a bit lately. First, I've been craving Ecuadorian food. Second, my mission is having a reunion this coming conference weekend, up in Utah. Third, the sisters who served with me recently got together, also up in Utah. (It's around this time of year that I wish I lived there.) Fourth, my trainer, who is now a mother of 2 and has a great blog for you mothers, also just posted about missions. Perhaps you can see why it's been on my mind.

I wish I could explain or describe the greatness that is being a missionary. I'm not a mom/dad so I don't know how it compares to that but I have never experienced a better feeling. Even after being home almost 5 years that feeling hasn't gone away. I still think, talk or dream about my mission every day. I'm not some incredible member missionary or anything like that; that isn't what I'm saying. I guess I'm just trying to say that there is no other way to have that kind of experience. And it's the kind of experience that sticks with you and changes your life.

Anyway, enough reminiscing for me. Here are a few pics for you to enjoy and perhaps laugh at!

Me in my 2nd area, Duran. There were a lot of mosquitoes here...and dirt roads.

An afternoon of service. Isn't this the quintessential picture of missionaries doing service in South America, complete with cane huts, machetes and dirt!

Me with my first mamita, Hermama Victoria and my first baptism, Leyla. This was about 2 weeks before I went home. I was lucky enough to take Leyla through the temple.

Me with my last companion, Hna Ruiz in my last area, Manta. She had never ever been away from home before she left on her mission and I was lucky enough to be her first companion. This pic happens to be on Thanksgiving Day.