Week 44

Indoor soccer with the youth of Retiro 

Elder Haws; cabeza de toro

This week was a week of stepping back and trying to sort things all out.  What Elder Martinez and I have to do right now is step back, realize what is possible for us in this moment, set good and stretching goals and go out and give it everything we have to have a successful and efficient week.

While we tried to sort everything out during the week, our main focus was with all the members. We have focused on the base of Retiro so much this week. Our main plan was to go around and get to the bottom of all the needs of  the members. As missionaries we have to teach to their needs or the lessons aren't going to be effective and the spirit won’t reach them as deeply. We focused on basic principles like the restoration, the atonement, faith, and the things that are vital. No one seemed to know what they were except for a few people. So our work is to go out and teach like crazy. We have to help people have a knowledge of the basics so that the spirit will help them become converted. That is what we are really focusing on in Retiro at the moment.

As for our work with investigators, it really dive bombed this week. Because everyone was on their last week of winter vacations it was hard to schedule appointments with everyone. We were still able to visit Danko, Maritza, and the Municipalidad all once this week, but none of them showed up to church. They are making slow progress. It’s time for us to speed up the process and work hard with them. That's what is going to happen this week.

Retiro Branch dessert night activity (noche de postres)

We were stoked to have our lunch schedule this week. This week hermana Gladys and Eliana were scheduled to give us lunch this week. We were stoked to see a convert and less active who have never cooked lunch for us be in our schedule. It gave us great opportunities. The lunches they cooked were really good. Eliana gave us both a heaping plate of pasta, with salad. Gladys gave us a heaping plate of rice and chicken. When we finished that we were stuffed and grateful for a good lunch. (something different than casuela, or lentajas.) When all of a sudden she brought out HUGE bowls of porotos (a thick soup with beans and noodles) for the both of us. Oh wow, our stomach's were at the point of exploding. Things like that happen all the time in the mission. It isn't too much fun, but it’s an experience to tell.

Porotos!!

It started to rain this week on Saturday. We are looking to having a few more days of moisture. Friday was pretty strange. It was actually hot outside.

We visited German this week. He got back from vacations on Saturday, and we had a brief lesson with him. He doesn't have much of a desire to go to church anymore because he doesn't feel the excitement or the motivation like he used to. We let him make the decision to go or not to go. Sure enough, one minute away from the start of sacrament meeting he stepped in the door. We were so stoked! besides him, Eliana, Verania, and the Sepulvedas all showed up. Those are big successes for us here in Retiro.

Elder Martinez got really sick on Thursday, and I caught the tail end of his. I'm not sick like he was, I just have a minor cough and a cold. Elder Martinez woke up Thursday morning  with his sick deep voice he said. ''Elder I don't feel good''. He could barely talk for the whole day and was low on energy. We are pulling through the colds that we have and are getting better, especially today.

This week we put a focus on the atonement in our lessons. It is, for me, one of the most powerful and spiritual doctrines that exists. I love this Scripture in Alma 5:

 21: I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.

This life isn't supposed to be easy. But we do know that every sin is conquerable and is erasable because of the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for his sacrifice and his love for us. He is a perfect example for our lives. We need to follow him in all that we do. If we do so, we will see the blessings of heaven poured out on us. I testify that he lives and that the Atonement is real, and can cleanse every wrong that exists in this world.

Thank you so much for your support as always. It is always so good to come to the cyber and read about the things that are happening in your lives. Thank you for all you do. I love you guys so much more than I can describe. I hope you all have an incredible week and enjoy the good in life. I love you and miss you. Until next week,

Elder Ethan Haws

A few activities ago Elder Haws built a temple made out of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Parral Zone during their "Christmas in July" activity