EN MI CASA!!!!

Dear Faithful Blog readers,

i have now been home about three weeks, and i can't believe it! coming home has definatly been just as big of adventure. i got delayed in Quito for 2 hours making it so i missed my flight in Miami to Dallas. and due to weather conditions i had to stay the night by myself in miami, it was AWFUL. but finally on June first at 11 that morning i arrived in the SLC airport. coming in to the valley was so incredible and a burst of butterflies soared around in my stomach, it was awesome to see my mountains again, and the great salt lake. i still just can't beleive i am HOME!!!!

There to greet me was my family, minus Quinton who had to go to an FFA thing in Moscow Idaho, my two sweet grandma's and steph, and my best friend Natalie. it was amazing to see all their smiling faces standing at the end of the hall way when i came out of my terminal. my mom made it to me first, and we were all crying. everyone had signs and pictures, it was just great! it was so un real to see everyone standing there, to see the faces of the one's i love so much, and whom i haven't seen in SO long, i missed my buddy being there, but it was ok. (he won best in the state in Dairy juding....and he's only 15).

after we left the airport, which by the way ALL my bags made it safely...i was sooooooooo amazed. i was so hungry so we went to Denny's for a real american breakfast! it was yummy yummy. on our way home i had to stop at my doctor's apointment with doctor armstrong, and i had to take a whole bunch of blood testing.

after that i FINALLY made it home and the house was decorated with welcome home signs, it was such a great feeling to walk in my front doors and be HOME! that night we un loaded all my suit cases and i talked about all my Ecuador things. it was GREAT...

Being home is so crazy, i started working that wednesday that i came home, and i feel like i've been going crazy ever since. i miss my Ecuador but it's sooo great to be once again surrounded by all of my friends and family again.

Thank you to all of you faithful blog readers!!! i really really appreciate it!

LAST BLOG ENTRY

LOVE,

Emily

You´ll Be in My Heart

The past week has been a torment of mixed feelings. I honestly don´t know where to begin as i describe them, and for sure there is no way to describe all the feelings that are floating around in my head and heart. No one quite prepares you for how you´ll feel as your departure comes nearer and nearer, and your experience dwindles down. you expect to feel excitement, obviously to see all the people you have missed, and yet you can never be quite prepared for the feelings you feel as you say goodbye to each person that has touched your life.
When i arrived in Ecuador i really wasn´t quite sure what to expect, i had spent years dreaming of this whole experience but when it came down to it, Ecuador was nothing like i had expected. I quickly learned to take the attitude of "come what may, and love it". the Ecuadorian culture was hard to get used to, but once i got over it i learned to accept it and try to go with the flow. i learned patience and understanding for people who think, eat, drink, dress, and speak differently than i do, and i know that i will forever be grateful for the eye opening experience i have had while i´ve interacted with the diversity of this country.
i quickly became involved in my ward here, and i had refuge from the storm through institute classes, and ward activities. the members of Barrio Colón took me in, and loved me, and taught me so much. i interacted with beautiful children of God of all ages and really truly gained a testimony of the truthfulness of this world wide gospel. there honestly is a church every where you turn, you truly are never alone. The church is the same, no matter what language you are speaking or what chapel you are sitting in.
I have seen the gosepl touch many lives, and i´ve felt the fire burning with in me as i´ve strived to be a "member missionary". i´ve seen new converts come into the fold and start their lives over like the writing of a new book, i´ve born my testimony of simple principles of the gospel that i´ve just had in my heart my whole life, where as new members here are learning them for the first time. As i reached out of my bubble i let the members of the church here in Ecuador change my life for good.
Through much travel i´ve seen the beautiful country sides of Ecuador with mountains bigger than i´ve ever seen before. i´ve seen coastal areas where the spanish is slurred and the climate is hot and humid. i´ve stood over looking the valley from the worlds largest active volcano. i´ve hiked through palm tree jungles, and seen huge spiders. i´ve seen poverty like ive never imagined, i´ve seen world weary faces and deep caloused hands from hard work. and yet through the simple life they lead they find reason to smile, to laugh, and to dance, and they teach you to find joy in the simple things of life.
ive learned to appreciate my deep ancestrial roots, as the people of Ecuador have much pride in their heritage. i´ve learned the symbolism in the traditional dress, and learned to appreciate their pride in their beautiful country. i´ve held my breath as i´ve tried new foods and learned that i acutally do like wierd meals. and i´ve bit my toungue when i´ve wanted to critize someone in their "ecuadorian ways".
i´ve learned to have patience with my self as i struggled with the language, and i´ve learned to feel accomplishment as i learned to conguate verbs and structure a sentence.
you see, many of you will never understand how i feel about ecuador, but i understand. Ecuador is where i found my self, it refined me, and showed me the person i want to be, and become. í feel more prepared than ever to set out on the next journey of my life, knowing that i can do the things that might seem impossible. i´ve learned to never bend my standards, because truely living the gospel reaps blessings of indescrible joy. i´ve learned to look for the silver lining, and to find joy in the journey, to count your blessings, and to live each day as if it were your last!

I look forward to using my ecuador experiences to influence the rest of my life, they will not go to waist. i know i came here with the goal to learn spanish, but i´m leaving having accomplished so much more. and i feel content and happy with everything i did and saw and experienced in Ecuador.

Thank you to each of you who helped shape and influence my life for good.

Love,
Emily

La Playa!!! (the Ocean!)

This past week i had the amazing opportunity to go to the beach here in Ecuador. i must say it was absolutely fantastic! we went to a beach town called Salinas. it is about a 12 hour drive from Quito. (yes horrible i know, but it totally is worth it!) we left Quito at 11 on friday night. i went with my course from school, kind of like one last Hoorah before i left! not to mention the beach was one of the things I HAD to go to before i went home. So we set off on our trip to the beach.
We drove all night arriving in Salinas about ten the next morning. i was actually on the phone with my mom in the states when we suddenly turned a corner and then all of the sudden there was the ocean stretching out forever and ever, curving with the earth. the blueness of it is indescribable and breath taking. we drove along the side of the water for a few hours before arriving and checking into our 5 star hotel.
however there is a story that must be told before i get to the good stuff. given typical Ecuadorian standards it really did not surprise me one bit when we arrived at our hotel and they weren´t ready for us!!! we had to wait a few hours before we could enter the hotel. now, i hope just for sanity´s sake that they just weren´t ready at that time for us, and not that they weren´t expecting us at all..haha.
Anyway, Barcelona Colón as seen is this picture sits right on the edge of the sand. with access right from the hotel to the beach! it was so amazing, there was a 24-7 all you can eat buffet full of foods from all over the world built to cater to everyone´s needs.
we spent hours soaking up the sun on the beach, and swimming in the pool on the terrace. there were little waiters that catered to your every whim..haha and we stayed in large suites with separate bedrooms for each person and separate bathrooms. (perfect for a room full of girls)
we also not only played in the beaches right by the hotel but took the bus to see many other beaches in the area. one in particular had huge fun waves to play in we jumped the waves, which by the way was warm water!!! (well the temperature of the air, which is...well...warm!)
the water by the hotel was calm and quiet, kindof reminded me of bear lake, not really large waves but really calm. where as many of the other beaches we went to were rough and large waves. we went one day to the "look out point" which is where the light house is. the light house was very tiny and actually quite funny looking, but being up on the cliffs over looking the water was so breath takingly beautiful.
at night my classmates all chose to go out in party, and i quietly stayed behind, at first i thought i wouldn´t like that, but in the end it proved to be very relaxing just sitting by the pool or taking nightly walks down by the water. and i had my own room so i could basically just chill, it was the perfect beach experience!

I am soooooo glad i finally got to go to the beach here in Ecuador! it was so GREAT, not to mention i spent four days relaxing in the sand, and swimming in warm water. i got an AMAZING tan!!!!
Over all it was totally worth the 12 hour bus ride!!!

Emily

My Legacy

Querida Lorena,
¡¡¡¡Mi corazón esta tan lleno, y no puedo expresar como te quiero muchísimo!!!!! ¡No hay palabras! Pero quería escribir una carta para ti, para decir todos de mis sentimientos. Tu eres una amiga perfecta, gracias para tu paciencia, apoyo, y amor. Cuando no tenía alguien tú estabas allí, con tu sonrisa, y palabras de aliento. Tenemos mucho memorias juntas, y estoy agradecida que tu eres mi amiga. Yo sé que, porque nos conocimos, yo he cambiado por el bien. Gracias para todo que tú hiciste para mí!
Ahora, durante estos meses yo trate de traer ti a iglesia conmigo…pero, había siempre diferente cosas que tu tenias que hacer, entonces nunca pude compartir mi iglesia contigo. Pero tú tienes que hacer una promesa conmigo que tu vas a ir a mi iglesia esta verano! Por favor?? Lorena mi iglesia no es como todos los iglesias, mi iglesia es LA iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días! Es la única iglesia verdadera en la tierra. Todos de nosotros somos hijos de Dios, nuestro padre celestial. Y él quiere para nosotros regresar y vivir con Él. Pero solo podemos hacer esto si estamos en el camino correcto en su evangelio. En nuestro iglesia podemos tener familias eternas, ¿tú quieres estar con tu mami y hermana para siempre? No solo en esta vida? Lorena nunca nunca nunca estas sola!!!!!! Tu padre celestial esta siempre allí, tu solo tienes que orar y preguntar si estas cosas son verdaderas. Hay un iglesia muy muy cerca de tu casa, es por El Inca, una cuadra arriba del Banco Pichincha. El primer reunión esta a las 8:30 en la mañana, por favor VAYA! Oh también hay una capilla por Diego De Almagro, y Colón. Yo sé con todo mi corazón que tu puedes encontrar en mi iglesia la cosa que está faltando en tu vida, ok?!
Esta pequeño regalo es para ti, para siempre recordar nuestro amistad, y también HLJ, significa Haz Lo Justo. Siempre en tu vida Lore, Haz lo justo!!!
TE QUIERO MUCHISIMO!!!
GRACIAS PARA TODO!!!
TU AMIGA PARA SIEMPRE
Emily Ann ZIlles

ode to my Pillow....

Through much contemplation, it has come to my attention that my treasured pillow will have to stay behind in Ecuador. This pillow is not just any pillow, it has gotten me through SO much. it´s been through countless girls camps, cheer trips, family vacations, cabin stays, tear full nights, sick days, it even went to the hospital with me when i got my appendix out. You see, this pillow isn´t just an ordinary pillow, it is my friend, my hug, and has seen me through many a hard night.
and so, this blog entry is a "thank you" to my pillow, thank you for all you have done for me! i will never forget you, as long as i live!

Love Always,
Your Emily

More Good Byes

Our computer still isn´t completely repaired which makes it so that i can´t upload photos, but...when i get the chance i will upload pics to go with these last few blog posts. This week has been full of good byes and tears.
On Monday i had my last FHE with my grandparents here. (the senior missionaries)They had a dinner for me, with lasagna, and garlic bread, yummy green salad, and fruit!!! it was so much fun to be relaxed with them, all the people i love.
After dinner we had our lesson, which i prepared. I played them the song off of Wicked "For Good" and i told them that because i had known each one of them my life has been changed "for good". we all cried, and then each of my sweet friends went around and told me all these neat things about me. i was so touched.
I am truely so grateful for them in my Ecuador experience. i love them each so much! just like grandparents! they said that when i get married i have to bring the lucky guy around to each of their houses, so that they can each individually approve of him! Hermana G. told me that i can´t settle with anyone who loves me less than they do, because if i do, he´s not worth it at all! they also told me it shows a great deal of who i am that here i was all the way in ecuador and i chose to hang out with them, away from the sins and tempations of the world. Elder Ward told me that i had a testimony much more mature than an 18 year old, and that i will go far.
you can kinda see why i was so touched right?


Yesterday i met up with Janet and Rose two friends from institute. they are sweet hearts and really became great friends to me while i was involved in institute here. we went out to get yogurt and pan de yuca, and then they gave me a CD with ecuadorian music, like the wind flutes and such but with songs from movies. the title is "you´ll be in my heart", and they will be Janet and Rose, two beautiful daughters of God, and my spirit sisters for eternity!

This goodbye stuff, is super tough, but i will forever be grateful for my friends that i have here in Ecuador!!!!

Emily

Like a handprint on my heart

Yesterday was my last sunday in my ward here in Ecuador, because i will be at the beach next week, and then the 31st i am headed home!!! it was tough, as i tried to stay composed. but in sacrement meeting they sang "God be With you till we Meet again" and i started crying from then on. I have never quite felt this way before, it´s the most bitter sweet feeling i´ve ever felt. Excited to get home, and yet sad to leave this life behind.
i can honestly say, when i walked into the Colón church house 9 months ago, i had no idea that i would become so attached, and that i would have such strong friendships with the members of the ward.
They were so ready, and open to accept me, and to become my home away from home. Through the year i´ve been here i´ve gotten to know many of the ward members, and i´ve grown to love them. they´ve comforted me in hard times like Christmas and Easter, and they´ve helped and encouraged me to become the best i can be. They were patient with my spanish, and have complemented me as i´ve grown and learned more.
I spent a weekend with them at the temple, and i´ve been caught up in the contageious continuous work of the Lord. The church in Ecuador is young, and new, but it is strong. while many of the members aren´t generation members like me there lives inside of them a strong spirit, and an enthusiasm to spread the gospel with every person they meet.
i´ve sat through the most spiritual and motivating testimony meetings of my life, where almost every member of the ward stood up to bear their sweet, and strong testimonies. no travel logs, or rambling stories, but short, sweet, and powerful words that i will not soon forget.
They sing the hymns in their native tounge with all their might, as they praise all that we beleive in through songs of the heart. their inteligent children master the articles of faith and can quote each one by heart by the time their eight.
although to many the church is very new, you wouldn´t know it, they have amazing strong testimonies, and they pray that their families will join them in the work of the Lord.
My seminary teacher when i was a Junior used to always say, "We never know when we will meet up again, but if it´s not in this life, and it´s in the next, we WILL meet at the big fountain in the next world....i´ll see you there!"
My heart will continuously be with these people in my ward here in Ecuador. i learned SO much from them, and i will never forget them!
if anything, i´ve learned that the church is true no matter where you are, or which part of the world you find yourself. you will always find the church, and in the church you will find the same true doctrines, principles, and testiomonies. no matter which language you are speaking you will understand, and spirit to spirit you will grow to love the members of the church.
I am eternally grateful and in debt to the members of the Colón ward for everything they did for me!!!
Ustedes son en mi corazón para siempre y siempre!

Love Emily