THE LAST LETTER!!!!

Well, it has been a great 2 years here in Ecuador.  It is really weird thinking that all this time I have spent in Ecuador has gone by like a dream. It's been a good dream.  The mission has really help me become a better person and has help me know how to be obedient to the Lord. He is loving and patient and merciful. I have grown to know him and his will.  I have grown to love him and feel his love in return.  Thanks to His Son, Jesus Christ, I have been able to become clean before him and find true happiness and peace in my life. I have come to better understand his teachings and impressions that I have felt come from his spirit. I cannot thank him enough for the great opportunity that he has given me to be his servant here in Ecuador. I am proud to say that I'm a representative of Jesus Christ.


I have seen hundreds of people come unto Christ.  It is amazing the change that one can have by simply following the principle and acting in faith.  The change is big and very noticeable.  I have felt this change and looking back have seen it. It's a personal testimony that I have.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  You can't grow closer to your Savior except by reading it daily and following the teaching within it.  As you pray and study, you will find the answers you need to be able to overcome temptation and the daily challenges in your life.

I want to thank all of you for supporting me in the great decision that I have made to come on the mission. I am eternally grateful.  Love you all and hope you have amazing weeks!!!

Elder Jackson Pollock

Hey mom! Today is good! I'm in a city called Portoviejo! I'm here with 2 other missionaries who go home with me in my zone and were also in this zone. So we came here to visit converts! It was super cool! I'm pretty sure I'll only be sending pictures and not a group email.  The bus leaves at 4 and it's a 5 hour bus ride haha. Pretty great! I'll be gving it all I got for these last 2 weeks! It's crazy!! Love the missionary life and just trying not to be trunky.. love you so much bye!!!

well the computer won't read my flash drive... so i'll just be showing you guys pics when I get home haha. Well I got to go, but I love you guys so much!!!! bye!

Hey ya´ll what's up! This week was pretty normal. I went a day on splits with the zone leaders like the over nighter... I don't know what that's called in English. But that's about it. I have been finding really interesting stuff in the Book of Mormon that I've never seen before. It's really crazy the way the Spirit opens our eyes. You got to love it.
Today was unexpecting, in the morning I called another missionary to see what they were doing and he said playing soccer and told us to come. So we went over and played with them. There were about 8 of us. Then we went and ate encevollado! That was yummy! But after, another campanionship and us wanted to go to something that's called the Chocolotera! It's the point furthest out on the peninsula! It is a really cool place. I'll send some pics. After that we went back to the house and then went and ate Ceviche Peruano!!! Which is my favorite food of all time! It was a pretty nice day.
I know that this church is true and that the Lord loves us all perfectly. As we follow the teaching of Jesus Christ and keep his commandments, we can have eternal life. Love you all Bye!

Elder Jackson Pollock

Hey everyone what's up!!  This past week was super cool! So my mission presidents are also ending there missions this month, so since we go home with them, we have been asking to do a family home evening with them, and we did! It was so cool! We were all able to bare our testimonies and it was a very special night. It started at 5pm and ended at 9:30pm. We all ate dinner together and then president took those from my zone to our houses.  It was 2 hours away. Super cool, we were able to talk more to him in the car and stuff. We also went to the temple on Wednesday and that was a super cool experience. I think it was my last time going to the temple in the mission and in Spanish.
We are giving all we've got here in Santa Elena trying to spread the Gospel of Christ! God always blesses us when we are obedient to His commandments.  I know He loves all you guys! Trust in Him! Have an awesome week!! Bye!

Hey everyone!! What's up!

This past week was pretty well! I'm now training in a place called Santa Elena! It's in the peninsula and it's a really nice breezy weather! I'm happy. My comps name is Elder Marin and he's from Bolivia, Santa Cruz! I really love him! We have been working really hard in our sector and giving all we can to get to know it and everything. We have a good handle on knowing the members and knowing with whom we eat lunch with. It's a really good area and all the members are super cool!
A lot of things have happened, but I don't really know what to put here haha. Oh yeah I visited a convert of mine from a year ago! It was very special and he will be receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood! It was a very special moment! I'll send a pic.

Anyway, love you so much and love you all and hope you all have an awsome week!! Choose The Right!

Elder Pollock

Jackson wasn't able to send a group email today, however he sent a few pictures.  He had transfers today and will be moved to the only zone/area that he hasn't served yet.  He will be training a new Elder for his last transfer.  He is really excited to train one last time and is looking for to Elder Bednar's visit this week.

Letter From Jackson

Hey everyone!! This week has been awesome! We had a Seventy come to the mission.  Elder González! He is such a spiritual guy and has a lot of knowledge that he shared with us. I truly was able to understand the Lords work a lot more clearly. It also gave me a greater desire to study and search the scriptures. It was super up lifting. I will be studying the notes that I took down to be able to retain what I have learned and felt to keep it in practice all my life and transmit it to others.
     On the 24th of May, Elder Bednar will be coming to the mission also!! I'm super excited and feel very blessed to have so many visits of the Seventy and an Apostle as I have served the Lord. I have had four Seventies come here and now an Apostle. I will be preparing a lot these next two weeks to be spiritually ready for what Elder Bednar has to share with us.
     I just feel super blessed to be apart of this Gospel and to be in the service of my God. I was studying one day and found a scripture that now is my favorite scipture because is has all I want for my futrue and in the following verse of what I need to do to recieve that. It's MORMON 7:7-8. Read it and ponder.
love you all so much and hope you have an awsome week!! Bye!

dang aliza will be jumping in super hard!! its crazy how fast time flys! i dont really have a whole lot to say. just trying to pass by. its hard spiritually with my comp but oh well. i just see that hes more focused in the world and not in the mission. its hard trying to control him and do everything in the zone. i just dont know. i just really feel like im ready to be done. i dont want to think that or anything because thats not the answer. i just want transfers really. but yeah just pushing through..  a 70 is coming this week! and heard that an apostle will be coming next week! im super pumped! but anyway love you so much! bye!

hey mom! thats so awesome that jensen got baptized!!!! im so happy for him and wish i could have been there. did you guys get my plane ticket yet haha... but dang thats sad that callin is home early. but theres a reason for everything that happens. i know shes going to be able to finish her service to the Lord in one way or another. but yeah i will be able to skype on sunday the 12 of may! tommorrow i need to tell the asistants at what time ill be skyping or calling. i should be able to at like whatever time in the afternoon. ill just have to be able to do it at the same time as you guys. ill tell them at whatever time and then change it haha. but let me know what time you and aliza will be able to on the 12 of may. but yeah all is well here. im still just pushing along. all is well though. i do love the mission a lot and have mixed feeling now that my time is almost up. got to end the mission running!! anyway keep me updated with zack and all!! thats super cool, and also with maren so that everything turns out all good!!! shes really specail to me! alright well love you so much mom and hope you have an awesome week!! bye!

hey dad! sounds like you had an awesome week! cooler then mine haha. but yeah all is well here. in my zone theres 8 sectors counting mine. and counting my comp and i theres 16 missionaries. all elders. haha.. but yeah the farthest sector is in bus about 40 without trafic. and my zone is know for how dusty and muddy it is haha. one of the churches in my zone was made from the members about 10 years ago. the baptismal faunt is a water tank haha. like those white ones that goes in the back of a pickup, but bigger. i got to baptize in it! its cool. but rough with the situation... we ended with 6 baptisms this month which is really low. but oh well we are trying our best! granpa looks good! i cant wait to see him when i get home! but also dang i look good hanging out the truck haha! good times. but yeah other then that all is good. tell dalton may to snap out of it! and yeah im super pumped to go and be with everyone for christmas! in a sweet house too!!! im pumped! anyway ill write aliza to see how shes doing. love you so much!!! tell zack to get better so when i get home i can go to his championship game next year!! bye!!

Return Home - Elder Pollock

Dear Pollock family, President Ludwig, and Bishop Spratling,

I am writing to you today to inform you of the return of Elder Pollock. Elder Pollock will be returning to the Billings, Montana airport Tuesday the 9th of July at 3:47pm.

Elder Pollock has been an honorable missionary for these past two years. Many of God’s children have come to Him through the efforts of Elder Pollock. We hope that the best blessings of our Heavenly Father are upon you and him.

I attached a copy of Elder Pollock’s itinerary for your information. If you can inform his family we would be very grateful.

Please confirm the reception of this email as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for all your support, and if you have any questions or comments please let me know.

As one of Elder Pollock´s former companions, he is truly a great missionary and the mission here will miss him.



_____

Sincerely,

Elder Townsend
Executive Secretary
Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission
+593 9-8330-7237

American Flight 902
Jul 8-Confirmation #RNV6PN
Guayaquil GYE
11:10 PM
Miami MIA
4:29 AM
American 902
GYE to MIA Jul 8, 11:10 PM

American Flight 4676
Jul 9-Confirmation #RNV6PN
Miami MIA
8:30 AM
Minneapolis MSP
11:16 AM
American 4676
MIA to MSP Jul 9, 8:30 AM

Delta Flight 4106
Jul 9-Confirmation #RNV6PN
Minneapolis MSP
2:25 PM
Billings BIL
3:47 PM
Delta 4106
MSP to BIL Jul 9, 2:25 PM

Letter From Elder Pollock

Hey everyone what's up!! This week has flown by!! It was just full of things to do! We are working with an investigator who is now preparing to be baptized on the 4th of May. He and his 2 sons! They are all super pilas and really excited to be baptized. Every time after we go and teach them they give us a little cola with some crackers. It's just the best! They are super humble and really happy to have the Gospel in their lives! It's been a great blessing to be able to teach them. Today we went and played soccer at the church as a zone. It was super fun, but I sweated so much today, that it was almost like I took a shower in my clothes. It was rough and really hot and humid, but it was good to have a good time with the zone. I still suck at soccer,  but I feel like I don't suck as much as I did before.

 Anyway, love you all so much and hope that you guys find a stronger connection with your Living Savior. He knows you and is by your side as you keep His commandments. He only asks us to keep His commandments, that also shows that you love Him. Bye!

Elder Pollock

Letter From Jackson

Whats up todos!! This week was pretty good. This last transfer went by super fast! It's super crazy how fast time turns down. Now I'm down to 2 transfers which is 3 months! Super weird, but I've really come to trust on the Lord and be as obedient as I can to His commandments. It's been a great blessing.

This past week we found a super cool family!! We were going to take a bus and this guy selling water at the bus stop yelled to us and walked up to us. He started telling us that he wanted us to come by his house and visit him. He had recently moved to our area about 5 months ago and before was listening to the missionaries. Him and his kids. They are a family of 5! He and his 4 kids! We invited them to be baptized that first visit and they all said yes! 4 did because the oldest kid wasn't able to come and listen. They are now preparing to be baptized on the 27th of April! It's super cool! The Lord has a way for all His children to find the gospel and receive these necessary ordinances! They are a very special chosen family that we have found and gotten to know! I'm very grateful for the love God has for all of His children. I invite all of you to go and serve your neighbors to help lift their days and help them feel the light of Christ in their lives!!! Hope you all have an awesome week! Bye!

I forgot to mention that I went to the temple twice last week. One time we took our converts, and the second time was with other missionaries after we had a Council or conference.

Letter from Jackson

hey mom!! well it still sounds like a pretty good week! it's a pretty funny deal going on with randon and his birds! haha here there's always chickens in the roads and stuff. the dogs here are normaly good friends with the chickens, i don't know how though. but wow you and dad and maren are alone now! how weird is that! and no aliza didn't write me or anything.. but i'll write here and try to cheer her up. but here all is going well. i just get stressed on how i'm doing with my comp. he's just really lazy and doesn't do things unless i tell him to do it. but it's all good. we are good friends! but the zone is alright i guess. i'm just trying to give it all i can! pretty rough.. but right now we are in a trio. there's three of us. in our house there's three of us and the comp of the other compañionship went home to go on his real mission in Guatamala so now we´re going to be here all together until cambios which will be this next monday! one week more of this transfer. then i'll enter my lst 12 weeks in the mission! thats super weird to think! but anyway all is well! i love you so much mother! i hope you have an awesome week!! bye!

dang that pic of daves vase is super awesome!!!!! he dug that out of the ground right? but ya aliza is getting a good slap to the face haha! i didnt get that until i got into the mission. the thing is that shell get another one when she heads out into her mission haha. but it will make her a lot stronger!! im super happy for her and that its going rough at first. she will look back in gratitude one day! but i also thought that the conference was amazing!! i loved it a ton also. i thought that they were really going to change a ton of things also but they kept it cool and simple like you said. those are the best and most understandable. i really felt this conference of the power that our general authorities. have especialy the apostles and our Profet!! im super grateful for what they do for us and the Lord. but the next conference that ill watch will be in english! thats super weird to think about . wow. but this next week theres transfers and ill be entering my last 12 weeks of the mission!?! i dont understand where all the time went but im super happy about all that ive learned and became. i cant wait to just give you guys a huge hug also! itll be super weird also. anyway love you so much!! talk to you next week! oh yeah thanks for all yuoive done to help me with college and everything! its really made me grateful!

Hey everyone!!! Sorry it's been a while since I've written a group email. But now I'm repenting and I'm doing it! These past weeks have gone by super fast! Transfers are this next Monday. Weird to think how fast time flies. Now I'll have 12 weeks left in the mission. I don't like thinking about that because it distracts me a little bit, but I can't help it haha.  All is chato though! Right now I'm in a trio. My comp and another missionary, we will be like this until transfers, so it's cool to be walking around the three of us. His name is Elder Patiño, he's from Lima, Peru.

General Conference was amazing! I was expecting a lot of changes and stuff because that's what everyone was saying would happen. But, when we were watching it, they really only talked about the most important things. Which is repentance and keeping our covenants. It really reminded me that it's super important with these two things. With these two things we can receive eternal life! Just always keep that in mind!  It will help you in life to find happiness. I had something super awesome to say, but I can't remember what I was going to say.. Oh well.

Anyway, love you all a lot and hope you guys have an awesome week and repent of all your sins!

Bye!

Elder Pollock

Letters from Jackson

hey mom whats up!!! this week has been pretty good! i havent been in my sector for like 4 days! i had to go to the hospital with a missionary in the zone. he hurt his back super bad and i had to take him to the hospital on saturday.. then that night i went to another sector because one of the investigators wanted me to baptize her. it was super cool! i baptized in a water tank! but yeah ive been aplying the things sammy had said to me. its been good. right now im watching a 3 hour video that the missions making us watch thats called the safety zone. its funny and all in english! alright well love you so much mother!! bye!!

hey dad! whats up! this week has been going pretty good. ive been in my sector like 3 days this week. and i had to take a missionary to the emergancy room. it was pretty fun to go with him. ill send pics too. but thanks for the email you send last week!! it really helped me a ton! your really an amazing father and am grateful for the council you've always given me! you and mom are amazing and am grateful for you guys. but all is well here. just trying to apply all that i have learned in the mission and from you guys to help me do the best i can. but all is well here. sorry that this is a bad letter but next week will be a lot better! anyway i love you a ton! hope you have an awesome week! and dont worry about aliza she will be alright.

hey sorry but i'm just super distracted with all these videos that i have to watch and i'm going to write my group email next week... sorry but i'll send pics. i took a missionary to the hospital and after ate my favorite food across the street from the hospital. Ceviche. but he's all good just his back hurts. alright love you bye..

Letter From Jackson

Hey guys! Everything going good here in good old Ecuador. This past week we have done a lot of things as a zone to be able to find more people to teach! It's been pretty fun and it helps our excitement to keep woking. I sent a picture of us missionaries with a bunch of members which was super cool!  Also today we played soccer in the rain in the morning which was super fun and then there are these 2 missionaries that wanted to make a food from Peru that's super good!! It's called Ceviche! That food is here,  but it's way better in Peru! So they made us some and we all ate Ceviche and it was a really good lunch! This food has always been my favorite here in Ecuador and well, in the world. So I'm going to note down how to make it and make it a lot in the States!!  We did a lot more things but I didn't take pics of it. The baptismal pics was from last week it's just that I wasn't able to send any pics or anything. Anyway, hope everyone has an awesome week and keep growing your testimonies about Jesus Christ! Bye!

Elder Pollock

Letter From Jackson

Hey everyone!! This week was pretty good! It's been a rush trying to help all the people to go to church and gain greater testimonies! The work will never end! Well today we had transfers and my comp left me. I'll really miss him, but thats okay. My new comp is named Elder Arroyo! He's super cool and is from Peru! It's been a while since I've had a Latino comp. He's got 20 months in the mission. We got to know each other earlier in the mission, but not super well. So it's cool that now we can get to know each other a lot better! It's going to be a fun time this next transfer! I'm not trunky, but I've only got 3 transfers more! It's super weird and really sad to see the time go by so fast! I've really gotten to know our Savior as I have been in the mission and how he works to the hearts of the people that we teach! This Saturday we will have two sisters who are going to get baptized! We have spent a lot of time having the privilege of teaching them and watching their progression! I really love this work and know that it's far greater then anything we can do on a regular day basis. Just to share the gospel with someone who´s looking for happiness. Alright love you guys so much and hope you all take the time to share the gospel to at least one person this week!! Bye!

Elder Pollock

Jacksons Pictures

hey dad!! love you so much! im super happy you got to see grandpa!! when i get home thats got to be one of the first things that we do!! also its okay with biology. thanks so much for all you done with college! seriously im super grateful. also you should sign me up for a spanish class so i can better my grammer. but i would love to go to the fall part and go after the mission. all is well and hope we will be able to talk for skype next week!! in hawaii!! anyway love you so much!! bye! oh yeah we had a baptism on saturday and last week we had 2 cool earthquakes! wow life is real huh. it gets ya going but there were no pants peed!