Week 59

This week was interesting. It may have been really low on the outward numbers, but we figured out a lot of things that Elder Bird and I needed to learn in our companionship. It was a week of few ‘’numbers,’’ but full of work.

Nevertheless we did see some great progress with the less actives that we have been working with. We are at least very happy with that. The hardest thing for us right now is our investigators. They are dropping like flies. We took this week very hard because the people we had hope for suddenly hit barriers and are slowing down dramatically. It was a hard week all in all.

Here are some things that are happening with our main investigators:

Mitzi:

Last week she took off with her brother to who knows where. She has been gone since then. Her neighbor said that she would be back soon but she still hasn’t returned. This makes nearly 6 weeks being absent in total. We are soooooooo close to dropping her because it is very difficult to help her while she is running off so frequently.

 Sandra Benz:

Sandra has developed some bad arthritis in her knee. Nearly all of the ligament, tendon, and fluid in her knee have disappeared. The doctors say her joint is now nearly bone to bone. Now that she can barely walk, it is impossible for her to climb the stairs to get to the (what is it called…. Sacrament room?) on the second floor. She wants to go to church, but she is kind of disabled because of her knee.

 Jonathan.

We had a visit with him this week on Friday. We were very direct again. This time we went there without Jose Arias. We asked him about church, and he said he didn’t feel anything or feel anything different like he always does. We talked a bit more and we came down to the point that he doesn’t have any interest at all to find out if God really exists or if anything about the church is important. He doesn’t recognize the importance of anything spiritual. We talked a lot about how spiritual things do exist, how Christ is our savior, and how these things can change our lives. The lesson was really powerful. The spirit was present in the house. The usual hectic atmosphere in the house, caused by the younger sibling, disappeared. The house was quiet and the spirit bore witness. It is tough because Jonathan doesn’t pay attention to his feelings, especially the spiritual ones.

He ended up staying at a friend’s house for the whole weekend. He didn’t show up to soccer or to church.

Less actives:

Camila Candia

These are some less actives that Elder Bird has been working with for his entire 6 months here in Chillán. They haven’t once gone to church. Regardless, they are incredible people. I have had some great visits with them during my time here. This week we invited Elsa Soto to come by with us to visit them. She is one of the original members that were here when the ward started, and they knew this family very well. We went by and had a great lesson. We talked about how important the sacrament is and how much of a blessing it is in our lives. It was another great, spiritual lesson.

To our surprise they showed up to church this week. Elder Bird was ecstatic and I was too. 

Our biggest challenge was our plans that fell. There were hardly any members that could accompany us at our appointments. Our plans were pretty filled with lots of things to do, but all of those things kept on falling, it made a very stressful week.

When all the pressure built up, the tension built up between Elder Bird and I as well. Through conflicts and being pushed to breaking points we were able to work out other things in our companionship. I think the stress came this week for a reason. And that was for me to learn a valuable lesson. Mom sent me an article from the Liahona or something at the beginning of my mission with some advice to missionaries on it. The first point was the theme for the week and the biggest lesson I learned. It said something along the lines of ‘’No matter what happens learn to love your companion.  There is a huge correlation between success and the relationship you have with your companion.’’ To me that has been 100% true for me in my mission. I think these weeks and nearly my whole mission have been up and down due to that principle. But, It’s not the only thing that affects it. Diligence, obedience, and serving with your heart is all part of it. But I am glad that I now know how important it is to resolve conflicts and love your companion no matter what. I think it also extends beyond that. It can apply to marriage, family relationships, and can help the quality of our social groups. I think that if we learn how to work with others well and always show Christ-like love to all, we will always be successful.

 ‘’Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’’

(Matthew 22:39)

We are looking forward to a great week. All the visits we lost this last week were pushed to this week. It is also 99% probable that Elder Bird will be leaving this next Monday. We will be working very hard to enjoy these last few moments as a companionship.

We had a good soccer game on Saturday. Finally with a good team, I was able to score some goals! I'm getting better!! THERE IS STILL HOPE!  The sun is getting more intense to lead us into summer. Elder Bird and I are as red as lobsters! We are so sun burnt.

We had to stop going to the gym this week because it was interfering with our schedule too much. Although I was seeing some serious improvements in that short time, I will just have to postpone the good old gym till after the mission.

Not too much of a long message this week, but there isn’t too much to report. Thank you so much for all you do for me. I love you all so much. I love hearing from you weekly and seeing what is going on in your lives! Thank you! I love you and miss you tons!! Until next week.

Elder Ethan Haws