Week 8 (11-18-13)

Wow, wow, wow. 

I cant thank you all enough for all your letters and messages to me. I can't express how grateful I am for your love, support, and prayers. I wish I could thank every single one of you personally. My heart is overwhelmed constantly because of your support. Thank you so much. I owe it all to you guys. 

I have so much to say. I could literally fill a book right now, with all the stories and experiences I’ve had. I can’t begin to write the smallest bit of how I feel, and what I’m going through. This week was tough. No lies. I’ve had some of my absolute darkest points of my life this week. I’ve been to the point of falling on my knees and crying. But through these hard times, I’ve learned lessons that can’t be learned otherwise. On the bright side however, I’ve had some of the greatest times of my life. I’ve never really felt happiness like this before.

Where do I even begin?

So this week was crazy, from 3 mini cambios (exchange), to elections, to church authorities, it all happened. 

This is what my week was like.

Monday was of course P Day!

It was so nice to get a half a day break and prepare for the week. After writing letters, E Froerer and I went to the centro and bought a lot of stuff. I bought more office supplies, a smaller side bag for proselyting, a new pillow, and groceries. Then we went to a really cool empanada restaurant and of course we got empanadas. Delicious stuff. We headed back to the casa and then we studied a bit more. We went out and got 20 contacts and a new future investigator within an hour and a half. Then we had a Noche de Hogar (Family home evening) at the familia Reyes. If there has ever been a family for the missionaries, the Reyes are the one. They are incredible people. Great times great laughs. We ate some Pan and Jugo, and had a short lesson. Lidia and her daughter, Miriam joined us as well. Great day.

Tuesday. Good, long, hard

Did studying, and then went to the weekly district meeting in Andalien. I was able to relieve a little stress by playing the piano in the chapel while all the leaders were coordinating in another room. I’m grateful I can play pianos and work out some hymns. It relieves a lot of stress. Haven’t played a guitar though, and I’m always itching to do that. Anyway, after a lesson, we headed back and went to lunch at the Ferreira`s. It was good talking with them. They are an awesome family too. Especially, Elder Ferreira being a 70 makes it cool. So this last week Elder Holland was in our mission. And he gave a devotional down in the centro. I wanted to go so bad but we couldn’t. Many of the members of our ward went and listened to him on Last Sunday. He talked about Chile and his love for the people. President Monson is going to be here next month here as well, along with Elder Ballard I believe. So, exciting times. After lunch Elder Fàlcon, one of our zone leaders, came over to do an interview with Lidia and Ignacio. So that meant that I was on a split with Elder Garcia. That night, we did a lot of tracting and we had a good time together. I realized that I’m in a kind of poor area. His area has a lot nicer houses and everything. Everything in my section of Nonguen is pretty poor and a lot of the houses are just plywood and tin! We had a good day and visited with a lot of his investigators. We had a ward council meeting and everyone there called me Baby face, again. After that, we went to the super mercado (supermarket)and bought hamburgers. We went home and cooked them up and had a feast. It was a blast. 

Wednesday

Elder Fàlcon got up, packed, and left. Meanwhile we had are usual morning study routine. soon, E Froerer and I left to Sector G, our farthest out. We looked for Gisela, one of our new investigators, but she wasn’t there. We saw some of our other investigators, but they turned around when we called to them, Ignored us, and pretty much ´´Died´´. We were rejected so much. It gets really tough mentally after a while. When every option we had died, we walked down an unmapped street that extends 14 kilometers farther. We walked down farther than ever before, and still all the people we talked to rejected us. So, we went to lunch just down the street. We had just the regular ol rice, and pollo. We headed back and studied some more. Then we left and contacted some more people. I tried my first HALO`s today (“hello” call out), Its a good feeling. The Hermanas from Barrio Norte needed us for an interview for one of their investigators so we traveled 40 minutes north and met up with them. The interview took most of the day. We headed back and visited with Sean and Nicolas. After that, we visited with the Familia Ojeda. Then we headed home.

Thursday. Most roller coaster day of my life.

Good start. I had a mini cambio with Elder Garcia that morning as well, cause Elder Shumway and Elder Froerer (who are both district leaders) had a leadership meeting. When E Garcia and I were walking up one of the streets, E Garcia all of a sudden just shouted NOOOO! SHOOOOOTA! A stupid dog that he named, Gringo just never leaves him alone. Weirdly enough he loves the missionaries. He followed us for miles with one of his stupid friends. MILES. We tried so many times to lose them. Every house we got into he just waited outside. Fortunately enough we found a nice turn, and he went to go see a guy down the street, so we booked it around the turn and finally we lost him. Then we headed to lunch in my sector. On our way there, it started down pouring rain. I had my raincoat on, but I still got soaked. That’s how crazy it was. So we finally arrived there after having a crazy morning. In the afternoon E Froerer got back and we went out to work. It was the hardest afternoon of my life. Everyone we had planned to meet with wasn’t home. Everyone that we contacted was mean and rejected us harshly. We ran into some fleites (gangsters) and were offered drugs and everything. Dogs attacked us but we held our ground well with throwing rocks. I was scared, beaten, exhausted, and depressed. I’ve never felt so beaten. I felt like falling on my knees and crying. I felt like I couldn’t go on. We didn’t get into a single house that afternoon. It was rough for E Froerer too. He got really frustrated too. We managed to get into one members house for the last 10 minutes and then we went home, exhausted. 

Friday.

I was super scared for today, especially since the hard day the day before. E Froerer had to go to Andalien for the day so I had a mini cambio for the day with E Del Rosario from California. He has a month in the mission, and is a little inexperienced as well. In the mission you have to make crazy decisions and choices. You have to plan effectively. Everyone that has ever known me knows I’m terrible at making decisions. I’ve had to learn super quickly how to do so in the mission. I’ve had to learn how to be an adult fast. Good day though, we had a good day of work and got a lot of contacts. I felt good actually taking charge in a foreign land and a new ward where I don’t really know what is going on half the time. 

Saturday

They had an Olympiad today and everyone from the ward and a ton of non members went to the chapel and had a party and played olympic sports. At about noon, we went over and helped a member mold stairs out of a dirt wall in his backyard. After that, we prepared for the baptism. Lidia got baptized as planned! I got to baptize her! She was my first baptism on my mission, and she was the first person to get baptized in the newly renovated chapel. It was a day of firsts, and it really inspired me and made me feel a lot better about the mission. I experienced happiness like never before. I’m so glad and grateful to be a part of the work. 

Sunday. 

Had only an hour of church cause elections for president of Chile were that day. Not really many people were at church but it was a good meeting. Lidia was confirmed, and we are super excited. We went back and studied a lot. We had a good day and visited with a lot of members. We taught Ignacio, but he is still strung up on getting a strong answer. We are desperate for him to realize that he has received many. He just needs to act. We are going to fast for him on Tuesday afternoon for 24 hours. Including himself and some members. I ask that you have him in your prayers, and that he may realize his answers. I’ve never wanted anyone to realize the truth so badly. I’ve never felt these feelings so strong before. 

Monday

Today we were able to go to where the Bio Bio River meets the ocean!! It was so cool! Our whole zone headed there and we had a great morning, wait till you see some of the pictures I send you. 

Elders Haws and Froerer

Elders Froerer, Shumway, and Haws

"Pirate Cave"

Answers to some questions

Nope, no maids, we just have members cook us meals for every almuerzo (lunch). We have snacks at the house for an occasional breakfast or Once. 

We have access to milk, and cold milk as well. We have some nice refrigerators at the casa. Blessed with Fridges!

The dog bite was nothing, and it healed. I cleaned it out really good, no worries. I took after you, Dad. I always carry around this rock. I call it, my courage rock, or the Rock of my Redeemer. It gives me faith. 

 Got the package today. WWWAAAJHHHHOOOO

Crazy week and crazy life. Love every minute of it though. The struggles and the joys. There is nothing better in the world. I’m learning Spanish fast and I can understand people a lot better this week. Through the gift of tongues, I know it is possible to speak Spanish. Even though I’m really discouraged a lot, I have faith that Heavenly Father can help me with everything. I have had far too many experiences in two weeks that have shown me my Heavenly Fathers love and care for me. There are too many to write. I have a burning testimony of this church. I know it is true. Heavenly Father lives, and Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon is true. Through Joseph Smith, the true church was restored. He was a true prophet. He did see Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. I’m grateful to know these things. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share them every single minute. 

 To the fam, I miss you all terribly. I often think about you and wonder how you all are feeling.  I love you so much. I hope you are all having a good time at home. I wish I could tell you so much more. One day, we`ll have one of the longest conversations ever. I love you and miss you

Till next week everyone! Thank you so much for your support. I cant thank you enough for all your love. LOVE YOU GUYS

Elder Ethan Haws. 

Week 7 (11-11-13)

Wow. Just wow wow wow wow wow.

This has been, by far the hardest, most difficult, crazy roller coaster of a week I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t even begin to write a part of what has happened this week. 

Leaving my district 9 was hard Last week. They became my best friends. So I left the CCM with my heart beating rapidly. We got to the airport and soon enough we were flying to Chile. Somehow Elder Duncan got first class in the plane. We were all pretty jealous, good laughs. Soon enough through the flight, the morning broke and I could see the silhouettes of the Andes mountains in a crazy red and green glow. We soon landed in Santiago, and left for Conce. Once we landed, we were greeted by all of the Concepcion mission presidency. I was so worried at first but that made it a little better getting all of the Chilean hugs from everyone. We loaded up into vans and went to the mission house. 

We met together, got orientated, and ate lunch. We had some delicious empanadas. After that, we met with the President and got our pictures taken. President Arrington is such an incredible man. I look up to him a lot. Then all the presidency, gringos, and trainers met in the chapel and us gringos bore our testimonies. Then we all got assigned our areas and trainers

I’ve been assigned to the Andalièn area, serving in the Villa Nonguen sector. My new companion is Elder Froerer. He is one incredible guy. He’s about an inch taller than me at most with brown hair and is freshly 20 years old. Sometimes people even ask if we are brothers. He is an incredible guy and incredible teacher. He can speak Spanish so well, and is a great leader. I learn so much from him every single day. I’m grateful for his example, and I am so grateful to have him as a companion. Together we are having an incredible time spreading the Gospel to all of our sector. He’s from Huntsville Utah.

Where do I even start? We walked out of the mission house and walked down a street and eventually got on a bus. We drove to Nonguen. It’s a really foresty area with a ton of houses in a nook in the mountains. It’s relatively close to conce, so its not entirely poor. We got off the bus and walked to the house. We have a little shack behind a house with two member families living there. Seriously, I opened the gate and there’s a little cabin looking house behind the member’s house. We opened the door and dropped off my stuff. It’s so cool. It’s just a little shack of a place. We’ve got four beds on the main -floor, and a little run down kitchen. Got a bathroom on the other side too. Then we have our upstairs offices with chairs and a table and wire basket things for our clothes.  

Within 10 minutes of me dropping off my things at the casa, we were running, and I mean running, out the door to our first investigator. We run everywhere. You can’t call it walking but it is. We always sprint walk everywhere, good times. 

My first lesson was with A old little lady named Lidia. She is 80 years old, and has been evangelical her whole life. We got in there and taught the first lesson for Elder Froerer´s third time. While I was just sitting there like a bag of sand not knowing what in the world was going on, Elder Froerer nudged me and told me to bear testimony. So I did. After a while through a miracle and Elder Froerer says, she accepted a baptism date. 

We then ran to the other side of the sector and met with a member family. They were celebrating their little girl’s birthday so we had this delicious cake with this Chilean manjar. That stuff is to die for. Then we met with one of our other investigators, Ignacio. He’s just a joven who’s 16 years old. We just talked a bit. Then we grabbed him and a bunch of other teens and went to mutual. Apparently I’m now secretary in the young men’s and Elder Froerer is 2nd counselor. We had a little lesson and then we went home and I unpacked. It was the most shocking and overwhelming day of my life. It felt like I forgot all and I mean ALL of my Spanish. I was humiliated. Its like trying to drink out of a fire hose really, you can never explain the mission field and how crazy being a missionary is until you are one. 

Day 2, Wednesday

We woke up studied and went to a district meeting. Then I had my first Chilean lunch. soup, rice, chicken and jello. 

We went all over the place with my head cut off proselyting and everything. 

I taught a member of the 70 in Spanish. His name is Elder Hernan Ferreira. Super nice family and super kind to the missionaries.

We live with two other Elders in our house. There is Elder Garcia and Elder Schumway. We used to have Elder Allred, but he got sick and transferred out of the area in the same day. Elder Garcia is from Columbia and is super bacan. (Chilean slang for AWESOME). He’s also on the cover of the Liahona this month so we consider him super famous. 

Elder Schumway is from Utah but I’m not sure where. He’s really cool and gives a lot of good laughs to us Elders. We have the coolest casa ever. En serio (seriously).

Day 3, Jueves

Crazy, crazy day. People tell me no ones first 3 days are this crazy. 

Woke up and headed to our farthest sector and taught a woman with crazy problems with her husband. She believed in the church though. 

Headed to the grandparents of Elder Ferrida and they made a delicious Espageti, Lettuce and Avocado dish, and Fruit and cream. 

That morning we got a call that the president wanted to come and teach with us tonight. Elder Froerer was flipping out. 

 We went back and studied at the casa and Elder Froerer started getting really sick. So I was pretty concerned. Then we went out and got some medication for Elder Froerer and went to go contact people until the president came. Soon enough he showed up. We then headed over to Ignacio´s and knocked on his door but he wasn’t there. So we paused and thought for a minute. We went over to the park and saw a little boy, one of Elder Froerer’s converts, Matias. He led us to his family at his house. Turns out, there was a Inactive RM with his non member wife at the house. The grandma there made fun of me cause I cant really speak Spanish very well, nevertheless understand the Chilean accent or how fast they say things. So we started teaching the first lesson and it went as smooth as butter. She then said that she wondered why the missionaries were so young. She knew what they were doing and who they were but she always wanted to be taught by someone older. Then President Arrington spoke up and said something like, At first I didn’t know why I was here. Elder Froerer’s name just popped in my head today and I thought I would join for a few, and know I know why I’m here, and he began to teach about inspiration and bore testimony that God led him to teach her that night. Crazy, crazy stuff.

Then we headed over and taught Ignacio the Law of Chastity. And the lesson went really well. Then we met up with Sean and Nicolas, to boys who E Froerer baptized recently. Then we met with the Ojeda Family. They are inactive but they are so cool. 

Day 4, Viernes

Kind of a slow day but we did a lot. We headed up to the hilly parts of the area and contacted a lot of people there. Elder Froerer was still sick and it was a tough and hard working day. 

Caught my first Pulga (flea), and Elder Froerer added it to his flea collection/flea circus. 

Day 5, Sabado

Most up and down roller coaster of a day I’ve ever had. 

We woke up and studied for a bit and then we headed over to help a member disassemble wood constructions and pull nails out of boards. We pulled a good 500 out of them. After an hour of that we headed to the Reyes, an incredible member family, for COMPLETOS! I was so excited and they are probably my favorite food of all time. So good. Then we went back, studied, and went out again. We were walking up this bustling street, and there were lots of people and dogs everywhere, then it turned into a dead end. And on our way back, the dogs got even more riled up and one attacked us and bit the back of my leg. It wasn’t much but we went to a member’s house and I washed it out real good. After having that adrenaline rush, we went out again. In another street this giant beast of a dog, got out of the fence and stared us down roaring at us. It showed its gnarly crooked yellow fangs, and I felt like I was gonna die right there. I just thought. OH MY FLIPPIN GOODNESS IM DYING RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. I don’t think I’ve prayed quite that hard in my life. Soon enough the owner ran out and got the beast and we carried on our way. My heart was going a million miles an hour and I was terrified. At that point I felt depression sink in. No one this whole week could understand me and I couldn’t really understand anyone. The Chileans talk so fast, and use so many slang terms that it is nearly impossible to understand. I sunk down and just felt terrible. I felt like ill never ever get Spanish down and I was just useless. I realized I was loosing my smile, and my hope entirely. We visited with a few more members, and eventually met up with Ignacio and headed to a park to teach him. It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon with the sun setting perfectly. The spirit rushed in while we taught and I realized that there is no- where that I would rather be than serving my Heavenly Father. I felt his love. Soon enough after our lesson two more teenage guys turned around and came to talk to us. It was crazy seeing them come out of their way just to talk to us missionaries, then we had a teenage girl come up too. We talked and had a good time together. We got to explain who we were and asked if they wanted to learn more about the church. We got directions and left back to our houses. It turned out to be a good day. I Learned a valuable lesson that even though bad, terrifying, and discouraging things can happen, our Father in Heaven is always there to give us comfort through whatever struggles we have. The spirit testified to me that My Heavenly Father lives and that he loves me and that I can do this through my hard work. 

Day 6, Domingo.

Church was really good seeing everyone that I had met in the week all in one building. The church building here is amazing and beautiful. I love it. I got to bless the bread in sacrament, and I was able to introduce myself over the pulpit. We had a good rest of the day relaxing studying and visiting with members. We also visited with Lidia and I’m going to get to baptize her this Sunday. So cool.

Well as I sit in this internet cafe in the middle of Conce, that kind of looks like an arcade. All I can say is I love you. I love all of you. I miss you and I love you. This is such a different place, but I am so honored to be serving my fellow Chileans in Nonguen. I’m beginning to understand, Dad, the love that you developed of the people of Chile. The people are already becoming dear to me. They are so kind. And I am so privileged to serve them. Even though this is almost impossibly difficult, and on top of that, I’m trying to speak a different tongue, I’m loving this so much. It is truly a blessing to carry what I know to so many others. So glad for everything I have. So now this letter has to come to an end. This week I’m going to give it all I’ve got. I’m going out to work with my soul to save others. Thank you for your love and prayers. I love all of you. You’re in my mind always. Until next week, 

Love Elder Ethan Haws

Week 5 (10-30-13)

Hey guys! Buenos Tardes! I hope this email finds you having a good day. Sounds like it was a pretty normal week for everyone, even me. I'm sorry for last week's letter that was kind of short, it’s just really hard writing about the same things every week. Not much happens around here besides classes and studying so its hard getting the lengthy letter you want written. 

Its always so good to hear what’s going on back in good ol’ Utah. It’s still kind of hard to believe that I'm in a different country so far away from home. I've grown to love Mexico though. The people, explosions, barking, meowing, sirens, engines, weather, and everything that goes on here. Its strange how fast this CCM experience has gone by. I'm going to be leaving for Chile at 3 in the afternoon next Monday, and my flight will take off at about 7! So excited to really start working. This week has been a roller coaster too. Every week has so many ups and downs, its insane. The last few days I've been so stressed and worried that I'm going to have to teach real people with real problems and real situations. I've felt so inadequate and so unprepared. its such a daunting task. But I've prayed and asked for the Savior's help, and for him to guide my paths. I've felt Heavenly Fathers reassuring love. I know he loves us so much. 

What can I say, the CCM has been everything and a half. It’s been so fun. It’s been so hard. It’s been boring and exciting, scary and satisfying. I’m so grateful for the things I’ve learned here, and what I’ve gone through. I'm so grateful for my district, they have become some of the best friends I’ve ever had. It’s crazy that I’m leaving another lifestyle and other people behind again next week. 

I’m going to start packing my bags on Saturday. Thanks for the advice, that will come in handy. But really, don't stress. I don't want sleepless parents just because I’m going to Chile. 

This week was really good though. The couple days after last Wednesday were super cold here in Mexico. I had to break out my coat for the mornings. Temperature really fluctuates here, today its extremely muggy and hot, so you just never know.

This past week we've had the members of the Missionary council observing the CCM. We had brother Steve Alan, who is the head man over missionary service right under the first presidency, come and speak to us on Sunday. He shared a great message, and he was a lot of fun listening to. We were notified that since our district is one of the best speaking districts that the CCM has, that the international MTC presidency was going to supervise our night class to see how we learn. Hermano Polo was sweating bullets! We were all pretty nervous, but as the night went on they didn't show up. They decided to help another class that wasn't doing as well. Still cool to know we were selected because of nuestro español.

Elder Kreiling and I have been teaching our two investigators Raymundo, y Eugenio. It’s been tough figuring out the balance of teaching, but i think we have got a really nice system down. Our lessons and our teaching are getting much better!

A lot of our district has felt sick this week. From Elder Duncan to Elder Anderson, it’s hit everyone. Thankfully I didn’t get the stomach bug! 

There are so many priceless one- liners that come from everyone. Especially Elder Canny. That guy is hilarious. His favorite American sayings are "Legit'', '''Lets hit it'', ''Its game time'', and  ''You heard me the second time.'' He randomly sings random hymns and even a little Johnny Cash. He came in the room once, and came in singing ''I find it very, very hard to be a lion'' to the tune or ''Ring of Fire''. It was priceless. Lots of good laughs. 

I’m so scared that I’m going to have to rely on my Spanish next Tuesday. I feel really inadequate, and I’m pretty scared, but I’m going to try my best. I've tried so hard to learn as much as I can here. I've learned a lot, but it just never seems like it’s enough. I'm just relying on the Lord to help me. 

I have so much to say about my experience here, but it’s impossible to type it out. So many good times and so many inspiring moments. I'm going to miss my new friends a lot. But I’m so excited to head to Chile! I cant believe that ill be walking down those Chilean streets in a matter of days. I’m so excited to actually go to work; to save souls. Its such a blessing being able to do this and I’m so excited to go to Chile! By next P day, ill be in another foreign land! Wish me luck on the flight over there and getting used to the Chilean culture! Till next P day! I miss all of you terribly and love you guys so much!

Love,

Elder Haws

Week 4 (10-23-13) 

Wow! Tons to read this week! Thank you for all of the updates!! Cant thank you enough for all of the support. It really keeps me going throughout the week. This has been the most up and down roller coaster of a week. I have had the highest highs and some of the lowest lows. It’s been interestingly great. 

Super spiritual this week. As I've said a thousand times already, my testimony is growing every second. It is what keeps me motivated, and what keeps me focused on what I'm here for. Sometimes I feel like I'm glowing because my testimony is going to burst out in a blast of light or something. I love being immersed in the language and the spirit. It's probably one of the most pure experiences I've ever had. All the devotionals are really great, I love hearing the messages that are shared here. Last night we had a member of the 70 come and share a message. He talked about enthusiasm and not being discouraged. It really helped me out. Last.... Thursday maybe.... I can’t remember the day, but we watched a devotional given at the MTC in Provo by Elder Holland. It was one of the most powerful talks I've ever heard. It was so spiritual I felt like Lehi having to return to bed because the spirit was so powerful. Dad, if you can somehow find that talk, I plead you to watch it. Incredible stuff. Like I said it was by Elder Holland, given at the Provo MTC on January 15, 2013. It may not be available cause it's missionary stuff but still try. 

The schedule is becoming super repetitive for everyone and its hard keeping motivated sometimes, but we're all having a good time. I've had some of the most hilarious experiences in my life here at the CCM this week. It was Saturday evening and we had been planning to play hide and seek for some time so we finally just did. We turned all the lights off and had a few rounds. Then we remembered that we have 8 other Elders in the same casa. We devised a devious plan to get them. Quickly we all went to work. We had the couches from the living room toppled over and had the cushions strewn all over the place. We took some chairs and put them all over the place too. We got a speaker and put it in a far room and put on an almost creepy hymn and switched the breaker off. We all hid in our places and waited for them to arrive. When they got in there they tried turning on the lights a thousand times, but it wouldn't work. Then they started getting scared. I started to make some creepy noises from the far room and then they just went silent. Elder Duncan flickered the lights on and off and they ran to their rooms. Elder Duncan ran around the side and started ringing the doorbell and ran back. Elder Thiel was hiding on a bunk bed facing into their room underneath a blanket so only his eyes were visible. So when they looked over with their flashlights one of them let out a scream. Soon enough they found one of us and then we all came out and had a good laugh. They were pretty scared. We laughed about it and realized only 4 came in, so we ran and got into positions and waited for the other 4. They came in and tried the lights and obviously they wouldn't work, so they waited a while. Then elder Duncan flickered the lights and that revealed the scene in the living room and hallway. Then the unexpected happened. One of them gasped and said to the others, ''GUYS, WE GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE, NOW! COME ON, LETS GET OUT OF HERE!'' They started running out and we had to chase them down. Oh man, we were laughing so hard. It was a really good time. 

Its been raining here a lot for the last few days, it rained for about 7 hours straight yesterday and the CCM was pretty much entirely lakes and rivers. Crazy stuff, this more tropical weather is fun. The Gortex rain suit is almost too good. I can’t wear just the coat because it blocks everything and then it just runs down onto my pants. 

Friday was really hard for us because Hermano Polo showed us an interview video made by Hermano Leon as he was acting as Guillermo. He said that he wasn't feeling good about the discussions, and that he didn't feel like the missionaries cared. He said that he wasn't getting any problems solved and he didn't really want to do it anymore. We were DEVASTATED. Hermano Polo taught us about how we could do better and we were sad for the whole day. That night Hermano Leon came to teach and he asked why we were so sad. We told him we saw the video and we were devastated about it. We all though Guillermo was so easy to teach he always sat back and just listened, and pretty much just accepted everything. It was almost too easy so we were bugged. He then told us that he had recorded that two weeks earlier after our first lesson we had taught and we weren’t supposed to see it that late. He said that we had gotten much better and that we were doing great, and Guillermo was as well. We were all relieved. But it was a really interesting experience feeling what is going to happen when someone rejects what you've been teaching. It’s heart shattering. I've got to be prepared for that. Through faith though, I've learned to be inspired enough to keep going. 

Everything is going well, from laundry to house keeping. We've got it down. Strange thing is Mexico doesn't have stain fighters or even dryer sheets. It sucks, but we've been able to manage. Now I'm out 3 and a half pairs with the hemming thing. But I'm gonna work on it today. Wahoo. 

I got a really short haircut at the barber shop last Wednesday, it looks nice. 

Man, I'm learning so much here. I'm learning how to completely rely on our Savior and Heavenly Father. It is such a crazy experience. Spanish has been good this week, and I love learning it. Sometimes I get really tired of speaking it and struggling but I’ve gotta keep trying. I love talking to the Natives here at the CCM, they are fun loving and huge characters. Its way good practice for Spanish too. 

Its good hearing about the sports. Hoorah for BYU! I'm definitely going to have to watch that game when I'm back!

Off to another week! I cant believe that I've been here a month! It is so crazy to think about the time that's gone by so fast. Every day it gets crazier, and I feel more pressure to do better cause in two weeks, I'm going to have to talk with and teach Chileans. Crazy to think about. I hope you have a great week guys. I love you so much! And I miss you! 

Love as always, 

Elder Haws

Week 3 (October 16, 2013)

Hola familia!  Its great to hear that you are all doing well.  I love hearing your stories and messages.  Its been a good week.  I’ve learned so much in seven days.  Today has been really nice going to the temple and all.  I did the whole thing in Spanish this time and I got a lot more out of it that I expected.  It’s a beautiful temple.  Its almost exactly like Jordan River inside and out, with a Mexican twinge to things.  Great experience.

I've never experienced the saying "days seem like weeks but weeks just turn into days" in this magnitude. Things are going by so fast and I cant believe how time can fly when you are constantly, constantly working. I've sure had hard times this week. Maestro Leon told us we weren't progressing fast enough this week so he pushed us really hard. Hermano Polo gave us some really great lessons and I've been really inspired by his ideas this week. In classes we are constantly role playing. By the end of the day, I am exhausted from acting as an investigator and speaking so much Spanish. 

Sunday was probably my favorite day this week. It was so incredibly spiritual and I learned so much. I feel like when I came here I felt like my testimony was like a fire burning inside of me. Just a nice subtle fire. Now, after every day, it feels like someone is just dumping and showering the fire with gasoline and everything flammable. I feel like my testimony has become a roaring inferno that I'm desperate to share. My understanding of the gospel has become so deep and it is being cemented into my being. The devotionals we have are incredible and  learn alot from them. this Sunday, President Pratt talked about the enabling and strengthening powers of the atonement. I took heed to that message and in my prayers I've been specifically asking for that enabling power. I testify that the atonement can do far more than wash away our sins. I have felt the enabling and strengthening from our Savior's atonement so strongly this week. I have overcome so many challenges this week through that. My smile still remains because of it. I am so grateful for the atonement. 

You've all been asking about my health and I haven't really responded to that so far. I've felt really good here until Saturday. On Saturday the sickness hit me like a train. I was not doing so hot. but I prayed so hard and through a miracle I was able to keep going while I was sick. I've seen so many miracles here already. Elder Thiel came here knowing not a single word of Spanish. He has been so stressed. But ever since that blessing we gave him. He has skyrocketed and has been able to learn so much. He is improved the most for sure. He shared his testimony on miracles last night during a district meeting. It was so powerful. There are truly angels on his right side and on his left helping him through. 

in our devotional on Sunday we heard about those two deaths. It was a very solemn moment. I promise i will never be more careful with my safety in my life than in these next two years. 

Its been a short but long three weeks. I've never been away from you guys this long. not even close. Its been hard, but its been a blessing to learn so much as well. I miss home, nice couches, carpet, good a/c, nice food, nice food, and a nice home cooked meal. How I miss your incredible home cooking Mom. I cant wait for the day I get to be with you guys again and eat a nice home cooked meal. 

Last night we got to watch a devotional at the provo MTC that was broadcast internationally. Dallin H. Oaks spoke, as well as his wife. He gave a great message on what makes our church the only true and living church on the earth. there was an opening number by the choir, and I saw Greg Peterson and AJ singing in it. it was so good to see some old friends. I've also talked to Elder Sheperd (Donnas nephew) quite a bit. hes an awesome guy.

Elder Kreiling and Duncan are joining me to go to Conce.  We are the only three elders, and then Hermana Paige, and Orchard are heading out too. 

The natives are constantly struggling with my name just as you foretold. I'm either elder ''aoouus'' or ''jaz''. Its pretty great. 

This week has been tough and I'm constantly creeping closer to speaking Spanish. I am constantly working and going as hard as I can. I know through the miracle of the atonement, I can do this through the Savior.

I ordered a sweet customized Mexican fútbol jersey with my name on it and everything last week and I'll get it this Friday. I'm stoked. 

this week we started playing a game called ''what are the odds?'' and we've had a really good time with that. basically, you set a challenge and the victim pics the odds like 1 out of 8 or 1 out of 15. It can only go to 15 and if your daring enough it can go to 1 in 3. Simutaneously you call out a number after you are counted off. If you say the same number you have to do it. Elder Fife has to ask for another haircut today after he got a horrible one last week. Elder Anderson has to do Elder Kreilings laundry today and the list goes on. Its a good source of fun. We've used it to even challenge each other to bear testimony to tons of people.

Its an ongoing joke about sleep talking here. all of us do it for some strange reason. Usually Elder Canny just says some Norwegion jibberish, Elder Kreiling Started drumming and said "PARTY ON'' last night, Elder Anderson grumbles, and I say weird things in Spanish like ''Hoy''. No idea why, but we get laughs out of that.

I check the weather widgets on the computer every day and I watch how cold Riverton is getting. Here its a constant high 70 degrees. never changes. its really hot here though, nothing cold about it..

We havent had too much trouble with the pesky little devils known as mosquitos after the war. they seem to be quite afraid, and with good reason.

I hope this week goes good for all of you guys. I sure miss you and love you. Try to have some fun, and enjoy the week. Im so grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Yo se que Jesucristo vive, y dios es nuestro Padre Celestial. Estoy muy agradecido por la Expiacion y el evangelio de Jesucristo. Yo se que la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los ultimos dias es verdadero.

Love as always,

Your Elder,

 Ethan