Greg’s snail mail letter of July 26, 2009
Dear Family,
This weekend has been great! The Cabo Verdelian Elders have been packing and getting ready to go and I realized that will be me in a week! I’m really starting to get nervous but I’m still doing all right.
Saturday morning we had a “culture day” with our teacher. That’s where a teacher who went to your mission comes in during a class and tells you about the people and other things about that mission. One of our teachers served in Cabo Verde so he was able to do it himself. He brought in two big books of pictures of Cabo Verde and told everyone in our District about it. He had bought the books in Cabo Verde and they were really interesting. Our entire time here everyone said Cabo Verde wasn’t a very “pretty” place to go. One Elder (Burton) who had seen some pictures described it as “taking an island then bombing it and never watering it ever again.” But from the book it looked very beautiful and tropical. It wasn’t till after class that an Elder pointed out to me that those books were for tourists and that they didn’t show any of the “bad” stuff. It was really exciting to hear about the mission there even though it’s not my mission. Everyone leaving in these next two weeks seem really excited but really nervous at the same time. The more I think about it the more nervous I get. So you can probably guess I don’t think about it too much.
Saturday afternoon we had our weekly zone softball game for the last time with our Cape Verde Elders. It was a lot of fun and I played really well. We normally have the older elders in our zone play against the new district and the Spanish elders and that’s how it was this week. I batted really well this week and I also played good defense. I was 2 for 3 of getting on base with each time on base being a hit to the outfield. Then on defense I made a good catch that probably would have been a homerun in a park of any kind. The Cape Verde elders also played really well and the elder I hang out with most (Elder Russell) played really well too.
After that we went to class where we all switched companions and taught a lesson to one of the newer districts and then they taught us. I taught with Elder Russell and it was awesome. We had three minutes to prepare and we had never taught with each other before but it went really well. Then the other missionaries taught us in Portuguese and it was great. It was their first time ever teaching in only Portuguese and they did really well.
Then after that we played some Jeopardy in Portuguese and then we were taught by our newest district. They taught us in English and they did awesome! Me and elder Russell were taught by Elder Risenmay (Lisbon, looks like Spencer to me for some reason?) and Elder Cannon (descendent of the apostle Cannon). They did really well and afterward we switched companions back so I was with McLean again. I was a little disappointed because I liked working with Elder Russell a lot but Elder McLean is still good.
The rest of that night was good and today has been good too. The meetings today went well and we didn’t have any problems. One of our meetings was cut short because our branch presidency had to go to another meeting so we had more study time. During that time I read some of the book of Mormon in Portuguese and understood more words than I thought. It was really interesting!
Then after District meeting we were all interviewed by our Branch President one last time. This interview was different though because he wanted us to teach him something in the interview about what we’ve learned here in the MTC. I was really nervous but I taught him about how I learned to study more effectively and how I learned the importance of the spirit in missionary work. It went really well and he told me not to be nervous and that the Language would be frustrating at first but would get better. I also told him about how when I first got here I didn’t feel like a good teacher. That’s when I taught him about study and the spirit and by the end of the lesson he said he wasn’t worried about me because he knew I was going to be a great teacher. He also said I was very articulate and that I would only get better at teaching. Then as we were leaving the room he said if he were my mission president he would be excited to be getting me. I felt really good after that and more excited to go. Then tonight we went to the devotional and then watched the Joseph Smith movie again, it was awesome! Every time I watch it, it gets even better.
All in all this weekend has been great! I’m about to head into my last week here and everything is coming to a close. I should be sending my suit with this so that should take care of that. My pictures should also be inside so you can enjoy those and maybe put some faces to some names.
Well, I better get to bed. Tell everyone I’m doing great! Thanks for your love, support, and prayers! Tell everyone I love them!
Elder Haws
(paragraphs added by mom)
Friday, July 31, 2009
email - July 31st
Hey Family,
This is the second time i am writing this because the computer lost my last one. This week has been great. I'm really nervous and excited and i get more and more nervous every second. I'm sure by the time tuesday comes i'll be comptly terrified but i think that normal. The Language is great and i doing fine. On monday we did a activity called the Hot Seat where someone sits in the middle of the district and everyone says something they learned from that person or something they like about them. When it was my turn alot of elders talked about how i was very humble dispite the fact that i was good with the language and basketball. Then alot of the Elders said that they liked how i was a good example and how i was always working hard and how i was never satisfied with my accomplishments. Ane Elder Mclean said he was glad to have me as a companion because i was mature and a hard worker. It was a great experience. The meds you sent will be fine and the doughnuts were great! I found the money and the phone card and they should be great. My money was low on my card because i bought some stuff at the bookstore. I need a little more but it shouldn't cost too much. I dont know when i'll call but i plan on doing it in NYC. If thT doesn't work out you might get a call in the middle of the night...sorry. During 11:00 and 11:30 i'm in class but i still might have seen you guys walking to and from buildings...who knows? well this Email doesn't have everything that i wrought last time but i hope you guys still enjoy it. In Basketball news...yesterday was my last day of basketball for two years and i DOMINATED! One of the annoying Elders was guarding me and he is one of the really good players but i lit him up all day! It was awesome! Well, i better get going. Thanks for all the love and prayers! Tell everyone i love them! I love you guys!
Elder Haws
This is the second time i am writing this because the computer lost my last one. This week has been great. I'm really nervous and excited and i get more and more nervous every second. I'm sure by the time tuesday comes i'll be comptly terrified but i think that normal. The Language is great and i doing fine. On monday we did a activity called the Hot Seat where someone sits in the middle of the district and everyone says something they learned from that person or something they like about them. When it was my turn alot of elders talked about how i was very humble dispite the fact that i was good with the language and basketball. Then alot of the Elders said that they liked how i was a good example and how i was always working hard and how i was never satisfied with my accomplishments. Ane Elder Mclean said he was glad to have me as a companion because i was mature and a hard worker. It was a great experience. The meds you sent will be fine and the doughnuts were great! I found the money and the phone card and they should be great. My money was low on my card because i bought some stuff at the bookstore. I need a little more but it shouldn't cost too much. I dont know when i'll call but i plan on doing it in NYC. If thT doesn't work out you might get a call in the middle of the night...sorry. During 11:00 and 11:30 i'm in class but i still might have seen you guys walking to and from buildings...who knows? well this Email doesn't have everything that i wrought last time but i hope you guys still enjoy it. In Basketball news...yesterday was my last day of basketball for two years and i DOMINATED! One of the annoying Elders was guarding me and he is one of the really good players but i lit him up all day! It was awesome! Well, i better get going. Thanks for all the love and prayers! Tell everyone i love them! I love you guys!
Elder Haws
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hey Family,
This week has been awesome! this week has seemed to fly by and the Cabo Verdian Elders are almost gone. Today is the last day they will be able to use a washer and dryer for two years. We got our flight plans last Night! We were worried because if they didn't come last night they might not of come today because today is pioneer day and nothing happens in Utah on pioneer day. Everyone going to Lisbon is pretty excited and a little nervous. I cant wait to go though! Our plans are as follows August 4Leave Salt Lake at 9:50 a.m. and Arrive in New York(JFK) at 5:02 p.m.Leave New York at 7:00 p.m. and arrive in Paris (France) at 8:35 a.m.Leave Paris at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Lisbon at 2:45 p.m. I'm really excited to go except that i dont know near enough to be ready.I'm planning on clalling you guys from New York But I might have some time in Salt Lake so i let you know more next week. We're Flying delta airlines the whole way so i'm going to have to pay $50 extra for my extra bag(sorry).Other than that i cant wait. This week has been really good. I'm still learing but they've taught us all the portuguese we're supposed to know so they pretty much just have us teach a whole lot which is getting pretty old.I still get a lot of compliments on the language and the Elder who lived in Brazil for a four years and is fluent even seems a little impressed. They still call me the Portuguese samurai and the New Elders might be picking upon that now. One elder Yesterday called me a "freak" with the language and then today accused me of being fluent. I still find it hard to speak and i make a lot of mistakes but its getting easier. I just need to speak more.Teaching has been good and my companionship is dong great.Yesterday we taught a brazilian lady who had a small boy or girl( i couldn't tell) in the TRC and it was really hard to understand her becasue she spoke brazilian portuguese AND she spoke at about the loudness of a wisper. It was tough but i could really feel the spirit when we taught. We've taught once in english in the past two weeks and it was really weird. I really like teaching in portuguese more even though its harder. Some tensions are rising in the district because some Elders dont follw the rules like they should but we're just trying to keep everyone from killing each other till we leave. This week i played basketball everyday in gym and i did all right. All the new missionaries think i'm a "baller" but i still dont think so. One new Elder said that when he first looked at me i didn't look like a "baller" but said i hit just about every shot. One New Elder who is going to Cabo Verde played Basketball for Madison (rexburg). I played a couple games with him and hit some threes while he was guarding me. He's about 6' 5" or so, is big and can play really well. After the few times i've played with him he's seemed a little impressed so i must be doing ok. Dont worry about getting the money on my card late cause i try not to spend too much. In one of dads letters he said he started bleeding in the temple but he never said what, what was it?And who is Josh Orgil marrying? Has Will Palmer gotten his mission call yet?And Whats Warren going to class for? Has Mikey Married the ******* girl yet? Sorry for all the questions. Well, i have to go. If you guys have any questions about the flight plans let me know. Thanks for all the letters and prayers. Tell everone i love them.
Eu Amo-lhes!
Elder Haws
This week has been awesome! this week has seemed to fly by and the Cabo Verdian Elders are almost gone. Today is the last day they will be able to use a washer and dryer for two years. We got our flight plans last Night! We were worried because if they didn't come last night they might not of come today because today is pioneer day and nothing happens in Utah on pioneer day. Everyone going to Lisbon is pretty excited and a little nervous. I cant wait to go though! Our plans are as follows August 4Leave Salt Lake at 9:50 a.m. and Arrive in New York(JFK) at 5:02 p.m.Leave New York at 7:00 p.m. and arrive in Paris (France) at 8:35 a.m.Leave Paris at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Lisbon at 2:45 p.m. I'm really excited to go except that i dont know near enough to be ready.I'm planning on clalling you guys from New York But I might have some time in Salt Lake so i let you know more next week. We're Flying delta airlines the whole way so i'm going to have to pay $50 extra for my extra bag(sorry).Other than that i cant wait. This week has been really good. I'm still learing but they've taught us all the portuguese we're supposed to know so they pretty much just have us teach a whole lot which is getting pretty old.I still get a lot of compliments on the language and the Elder who lived in Brazil for a four years and is fluent even seems a little impressed. They still call me the Portuguese samurai and the New Elders might be picking upon that now. One elder Yesterday called me a "freak" with the language and then today accused me of being fluent. I still find it hard to speak and i make a lot of mistakes but its getting easier. I just need to speak more.Teaching has been good and my companionship is dong great.Yesterday we taught a brazilian lady who had a small boy or girl( i couldn't tell) in the TRC and it was really hard to understand her becasue she spoke brazilian portuguese AND she spoke at about the loudness of a wisper. It was tough but i could really feel the spirit when we taught. We've taught once in english in the past two weeks and it was really weird. I really like teaching in portuguese more even though its harder. Some tensions are rising in the district because some Elders dont follw the rules like they should but we're just trying to keep everyone from killing each other till we leave. This week i played basketball everyday in gym and i did all right. All the new missionaries think i'm a "baller" but i still dont think so. One new Elder said that when he first looked at me i didn't look like a "baller" but said i hit just about every shot. One New Elder who is going to Cabo Verde played Basketball for Madison (rexburg). I played a couple games with him and hit some threes while he was guarding me. He's about 6' 5" or so, is big and can play really well. After the few times i've played with him he's seemed a little impressed so i must be doing ok. Dont worry about getting the money on my card late cause i try not to spend too much. In one of dads letters he said he started bleeding in the temple but he never said what, what was it?And who is Josh Orgil marrying? Has Will Palmer gotten his mission call yet?And Whats Warren going to class for? Has Mikey Married the ******* girl yet? Sorry for all the questions. Well, i have to go. If you guys have any questions about the flight plans let me know. Thanks for all the letters and prayers. Tell everone i love them.
Eu Amo-lhes!
Elder Haws
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Snail Mail - July 19
Greg’s Snail mail Letter of July 19, 2009
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty good. Yesterday we had a pretty good day. At gym we played softball at the field and I played pretty well. I hit the ball into the outfield every time so I’m improving. My fielding wasn’t so good but I’ll work on that next week. In class we had our own “sacred grove” experience where we went out side and prayed and studied for an hour. It was really good and I really felt the Spirit. Yesterday we had the District opposite us come and talk to us in Portuguese. It was fun but it made me feel kind of down because they spoke a lot better than I could. I could understand almost everything they said but I couldn’t respond as quickly as I would have liked. I felt bad for a while but after my “sacred grove” experience I felt much better. It just gave me some more motivation to study harder. The rest of the day was good and I was able to get a lot of language study in. This week was also the first week where me and Elder McLean had a lot of zone leader tasks. Every week we have to pick prayers, pianists, choristers, hymns, and spiritual thoughts for our Sunday meetings. We were able to get all that done last night and everything went smoothly today. We woke up and went to breakfast early because we had to go meet with the branch presidency this morning so we could give them the program for our meetings and talk with them about our zone. Then we went to Sacrament meeting (where we sat on the stand as ZLs) and then to leadership training and then back to priesthood meeting, where me and Elder McLean sat on the stand again for the first part of the meeting and then shared a thought and read from the Missionary Handbook. After that we went to the rest of our meetings. After our District meeting we had interviews with Brother Hodges. He’s the second counselor in our Branch presidency and he’s not going to be here next week so this was kind of like our farewell interview. I’ve hardly every talked to him except in interviews but he always seems to know what to talk to me about. Take for example earlier today in our leadership meeting, we were talking about how to be good leaders and we had just read about how we shouldn’t have unrighteous dominion over others. HE then used me and Elder McLean as an example and talked about how because McLean was a District leader before becoming a zone leader and I hadn’t he might think that he was better than me sub-consciously and then demonstrated that with the way he acts and the body language he uses. It was just an example but I had been worrying about that. I had worried that I wasn’t as good but hearing it made me feel much better. I don’t know how to explain it but I almost felt as if I was just McLean’s helper rather than his companion. But after hearing that I felt much better. Then during my interview with him he talked to me about my mission. He said he guessed that I came from a successful missionary family and that I was insecure and that I was worried that I wouldn’t live up to those expectations and be as successful. He told me to relax and just to do my best and will be a great missionary. He also told me that he thought I was going to be one of the really excellent missionaries to come through the MTC. I had also been thinking that the only reason I was chosen to be a zone leader was because I was McLean’s companion and because they wanted him to be zone leader. He told me that that wasn’t the case and that I have special things that I can bring and help others with. He also said that I have a lot more to offer and that I’m, more prepared and that I’m going to be a better missionary than I think. The whole interview was great and it made me feel a lot better and made me more excited to serve. The rest of the day was really good. The other councilor in our branch presidency said I spoke Portuguese very well and jokingly said we could leave for the mission field now and be just fine. We’ve also been playing basketball (real basketball) in gym now since Tuesday and people still think I am a “baller.” Other than that not much has happened. Life is good and I’m getting excited to head to the field. I won’t ever be ready to leave but I still can’t wait to go! Tell everyone I love them! Thanks for all the prayers and love. I love you guys!
Elder Haws
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty good. Yesterday we had a pretty good day. At gym we played softball at the field and I played pretty well. I hit the ball into the outfield every time so I’m improving. My fielding wasn’t so good but I’ll work on that next week. In class we had our own “sacred grove” experience where we went out side and prayed and studied for an hour. It was really good and I really felt the Spirit. Yesterday we had the District opposite us come and talk to us in Portuguese. It was fun but it made me feel kind of down because they spoke a lot better than I could. I could understand almost everything they said but I couldn’t respond as quickly as I would have liked. I felt bad for a while but after my “sacred grove” experience I felt much better. It just gave me some more motivation to study harder. The rest of the day was good and I was able to get a lot of language study in. This week was also the first week where me and Elder McLean had a lot of zone leader tasks. Every week we have to pick prayers, pianists, choristers, hymns, and spiritual thoughts for our Sunday meetings. We were able to get all that done last night and everything went smoothly today. We woke up and went to breakfast early because we had to go meet with the branch presidency this morning so we could give them the program for our meetings and talk with them about our zone. Then we went to Sacrament meeting (where we sat on the stand as ZLs) and then to leadership training and then back to priesthood meeting, where me and Elder McLean sat on the stand again for the first part of the meeting and then shared a thought and read from the Missionary Handbook. After that we went to the rest of our meetings. After our District meeting we had interviews with Brother Hodges. He’s the second counselor in our Branch presidency and he’s not going to be here next week so this was kind of like our farewell interview. I’ve hardly every talked to him except in interviews but he always seems to know what to talk to me about. Take for example earlier today in our leadership meeting, we were talking about how to be good leaders and we had just read about how we shouldn’t have unrighteous dominion over others. HE then used me and Elder McLean as an example and talked about how because McLean was a District leader before becoming a zone leader and I hadn’t he might think that he was better than me sub-consciously and then demonstrated that with the way he acts and the body language he uses. It was just an example but I had been worrying about that. I had worried that I wasn’t as good but hearing it made me feel much better. I don’t know how to explain it but I almost felt as if I was just McLean’s helper rather than his companion. But after hearing that I felt much better. Then during my interview with him he talked to me about my mission. He said he guessed that I came from a successful missionary family and that I was insecure and that I was worried that I wouldn’t live up to those expectations and be as successful. He told me to relax and just to do my best and will be a great missionary. He also told me that he thought I was going to be one of the really excellent missionaries to come through the MTC. I had also been thinking that the only reason I was chosen to be a zone leader was because I was McLean’s companion and because they wanted him to be zone leader. He told me that that wasn’t the case and that I have special things that I can bring and help others with. He also said that I have a lot more to offer and that I’m, more prepared and that I’m going to be a better missionary than I think. The whole interview was great and it made me feel a lot better and made me more excited to serve. The rest of the day was really good. The other councilor in our branch presidency said I spoke Portuguese very well and jokingly said we could leave for the mission field now and be just fine. We’ve also been playing basketball (real basketball) in gym now since Tuesday and people still think I am a “baller.” Other than that not much has happened. Life is good and I’m getting excited to head to the field. I won’t ever be ready to leave but I still can’t wait to go! Tell everyone I love them! Thanks for all the prayers and love. I love you guys!
Elder Haws
Friday, July 17, 2009
Dear Family,
This week has been great. Sunday was really busy with all the mettings but i still found time to take a nap and relax. The rest of this week was really standard. We learned three new verb tenses in portuguese in class so everyone was pretty frustrated with the language for a while but they're ok now. On Wendsday me and Elder Mclain didn't really have much class time with the teachers. In the morning we had to go to a meeting as a district to learn how to greet the new elders then right after that we went to work. I hosted three sister missionaries with other elders and i had one Elder that i got to host by myself. His name was Elder Fischer and he was going to Chilie. He was a tall elder and he was really nice. I had to walk him to his room, which just so happened to be on the top floor of the building farthest from the road. All in all hosting missionaries was fun. Then that night we had to leave class to go and give the Zone Leader speech to the new missionaries. That went really well and afterward we gave them a tour of the MTC. I dont think they remembered any of it but i still think we did a good job. They're great guys and they'll be great Elders. We got 10 elders in this new district. 3 are going to Brazil, six are going to Cabo Verde (ten islands off the west coast of Africa), and 1 going to Lisboa portugal (Omelhor missao de todas missas ne terra!). The district leader ended up being the Elder going to Portugal. He reminds me a lot of Spencer for some reason and when i look at him it makes me home sick. Its weird but i'm getting over it. One of the Brazilian Elders is going to Florianoplis which i thought was awesome. This week the language has been good. I'm not learing as fast as iwas before but i'm changing my study habits so that should change. This weekin the TRC was better. I was able to understand a lot of what our invetigators said. We had 4 (3 Brazilian RMs, 1 Portugal)! At one point they were all talking at the same time and it was hard to pick who to listen to.They acted like people who dont belive in God at all so it was tough but our teacher said we did really well and that the experience was very realistic and also that we might see that in portugal. The Cabo Verdian Elders in our district got their flight plans this week and they leave a week early. I'm kind of jealous but we get ours on tuesday(i think). Now for answering questions: I dont have my address yet for portugal. It'll be easier for me just to mail the suit and pictures because the MTC is really picky about what goes in and out of here. Thanks for activating my card. It was a blessing that it wasn't activated because when i tried to pay for the pictures the first time they were $60. Then they called me in two days later and asked if i ordered that size on purpose. I said no and they offered to split the cost with me so i only payed $30. Tell Mikey i'm not that good at the language, just the people in my district think i am. Compared to the other district i think i'm probably average. I found its really tough being Zone leader because everyone watches everything you do. I was invisible before and now everyone sees everything i do. Tell everyone thanks for all the letters E-mails and support. Life here in the MTC is great and i'm really loving it! Tell everyone i love and miss them and that i'm doing fine.
I love you guys.
Elder Haws
I love you guys.
Elder Haws
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Snail Mail - July 7th
Greg’s Snail Mail Letter of July 7, 2009
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty great. Yesterday we studied all day till lunch then we had class the rest of the day. We had a great lesson on the atonement where our District combined with one of the older districts. We all sat in a circle and one of the teachers walked around the circle and asked every person if they wanted some Skittles. If the Elder said yes, the teacher would turn to the other and the one without Skittles would do 15 push ups. After that the Elder would get Skittles and the teacher would move to the next Elder. No matter what we said the other teacher would do pushups and we would still get Skittles. Yes or No. He did them so that we could have skittles whether we wanted them or not. He ended up doing 240 pushups with one leg (the other is in a brace) and was exhausted by the end and couldn’t hold himself up. They then related that to the atonement. They talked about how Christ atoned for everyone’s sins whether they would accept it or not. It was really great. Then, that night we had a sub who called a lady from the Referral Center. The call was going to be in complete Portuguese so they let our District listen in on the call. It was really cool because I could understand almost everything the teacher said but it was really hard to understand the lady because she spoke Brazilian Portuguese. I should be used to it because everyone we teach in the TRC is Brazilian, so if Mikey plans on speaking to me in Portuguese I probably won’t be able to understand him until I’ve been out in the field awhile. Today has been really good too. This week we have two districts leaving. Some Elders are going to Porto, Portugal while the others are going to Mozambique, Africa. A lot of people were talking because our zone leaders are in that group so new ones were going to be picked today. Our District thought it was going to be me and McLean but they normally pick them every 6 weeks which means the Elders in the newer District would get them. At breakfast everyone was making guesses at who they were going to be and who would do the best job. They talked about how they take them aside 15 minutes before Sacrament meeting and tell them, so everyone was excited. After breakfast we headed to Sacrament meeting a little earlier than usual. When we got there we saw the District Leader and his companion being talked to outside the chapel so I thought they were going to be the new zone leaders. I asked one of them and he said no so I was really concerned. Then when we sat down the branch president pulled us aside. He didn’t waste any time in asking us to be the new zone leaders. He talked to us for a minute then said he had a lot of faith in us and said they’d announce it in a few minutes. By the time we got to our seats everyone knew we were the new ZLs. Our new district leader was pulled to the side at the same time as us and was asked to be the new district leader because McLean was moving up. He got back to his seat and then everyone knew. IT was pretty cool to stand up in Sacrament meeting and be recognized. Then we spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon in meetings. I didn’t like that part but now everybody calls me and McLean “Zone Leader.” It feels strange but I’m excited. I just hope I can do a good job. No one in our district was surprised and everyone seems to support us so we should be fine. We’ll be really busy Wednesday because we have to go talk to the new missionaries on Wednesday and give them tours and stuff so that should be exciting. The fireside tonight was really good and after we watched the Joseph Smith movie, again. It was so good!!! No matter how many times I watch that movie I still get goose bumps and want to go out and preach! So today was really good. I just have a few questions. Did you guys find out about my debit card? Is there anyway you can activate it? I found out I can call from the airport (22 days) so do you want me to buy a phone card or do you want to send one? Well, I hope everyone is doing alright. I’m doing great here. Thanks for all the love and support! I love and miss you guys!
The newest zone leader in branch 54,
Elder Haws
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty great. Yesterday we studied all day till lunch then we had class the rest of the day. We had a great lesson on the atonement where our District combined with one of the older districts. We all sat in a circle and one of the teachers walked around the circle and asked every person if they wanted some Skittles. If the Elder said yes, the teacher would turn to the other and the one without Skittles would do 15 push ups. After that the Elder would get Skittles and the teacher would move to the next Elder. No matter what we said the other teacher would do pushups and we would still get Skittles. Yes or No. He did them so that we could have skittles whether we wanted them or not. He ended up doing 240 pushups with one leg (the other is in a brace) and was exhausted by the end and couldn’t hold himself up. They then related that to the atonement. They talked about how Christ atoned for everyone’s sins whether they would accept it or not. It was really great. Then, that night we had a sub who called a lady from the Referral Center. The call was going to be in complete Portuguese so they let our District listen in on the call. It was really cool because I could understand almost everything the teacher said but it was really hard to understand the lady because she spoke Brazilian Portuguese. I should be used to it because everyone we teach in the TRC is Brazilian, so if Mikey plans on speaking to me in Portuguese I probably won’t be able to understand him until I’ve been out in the field awhile. Today has been really good too. This week we have two districts leaving. Some Elders are going to Porto, Portugal while the others are going to Mozambique, Africa. A lot of people were talking because our zone leaders are in that group so new ones were going to be picked today. Our District thought it was going to be me and McLean but they normally pick them every 6 weeks which means the Elders in the newer District would get them. At breakfast everyone was making guesses at who they were going to be and who would do the best job. They talked about how they take them aside 15 minutes before Sacrament meeting and tell them, so everyone was excited. After breakfast we headed to Sacrament meeting a little earlier than usual. When we got there we saw the District Leader and his companion being talked to outside the chapel so I thought they were going to be the new zone leaders. I asked one of them and he said no so I was really concerned. Then when we sat down the branch president pulled us aside. He didn’t waste any time in asking us to be the new zone leaders. He talked to us for a minute then said he had a lot of faith in us and said they’d announce it in a few minutes. By the time we got to our seats everyone knew we were the new ZLs. Our new district leader was pulled to the side at the same time as us and was asked to be the new district leader because McLean was moving up. He got back to his seat and then everyone knew. IT was pretty cool to stand up in Sacrament meeting and be recognized. Then we spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon in meetings. I didn’t like that part but now everybody calls me and McLean “Zone Leader.” It feels strange but I’m excited. I just hope I can do a good job. No one in our district was surprised and everyone seems to support us so we should be fine. We’ll be really busy Wednesday because we have to go talk to the new missionaries on Wednesday and give them tours and stuff so that should be exciting. The fireside tonight was really good and after we watched the Joseph Smith movie, again. It was so good!!! No matter how many times I watch that movie I still get goose bumps and want to go out and preach! So today was really good. I just have a few questions. Did you guys find out about my debit card? Is there anyway you can activate it? I found out I can call from the airport (22 days) so do you want me to buy a phone card or do you want to send one? Well, I hope everyone is doing alright. I’m doing great here. Thanks for all the love and support! I love and miss you guys!
The newest zone leader in branch 54,
Elder Haws
Friday, July 10, 2009
Snails Mail - July 5th
Greg’s Letter of July 5, 2009
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty great. Yesterday we went to our classes like normal and studied all day. Then at 7:30 we went to the gym and watched a special 4th of July program about the reformers of the Bible and the Founding Fathers. A Branch Presidency member from one of the branches narrated the program while there were video clips of different people speaking as if they were the Reformers or Founding Fathers. They had some technical difficulties and a lot of the Elders I’ve talked to about it didn’t think that it was very good. We got to sing and hear about history, so I really enjoyed it. Then we went out at about 10:20 to watch the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. It was weird being up so late but the fireworks were pretty good. I got to talk to the other district that came in with me quite a bi which was nice. They’re all going to Lisbon so that makes 11 missionaries going there in a few weeks (10 Elders, 1 Sister). The fireworks came in two waves. One set came at 10:10 and the other at 10:20. People said that was normal but the fireworks were just OK. I guess I kinda overestimate fireworks everywhere I go now because of Maleluca’s big show. After the show we all went to bed as quickly as possible because we were already pass our bedtime. How was your guy’s Fourth of July? Anything exciting? Well, today was Fast Sunday which means we had a mission conference. It was pretty good and after that we had District meeting. I didn’t teach this week so it was great. I told the Elders in my District I never want to do it again, but every time I do they tell me my lesson was great. After District meeting I did personal study then we went back to the dorm and took a nap. Then we went and had dinner and went to the Fireside. The who is in charge of our Learning and Education here spoke with his wife and they did great. During his talk he showed a picture of his trainer as he told a mission story. The Elder was pretty good looking so I leaned over and told the Elders next to me, “Hey, that looks like me!” Just then a sister turned around in from of me and stared at me for a few seconds and didn’t seem to happy. All the Elders next to me busted up laughing but this sister didn’t seem to understand that I was being sarcastic.
Eventually she smiled and turned around but everyone thought it was hilarious. I thought she was going to kill me. After the fireside almost everyone from our zone left. We normally stay and watch the movie that they put on after because they always put on the best movie in the gym. This week we only had 4 of us there but it was still really good. My companion left with Elder Muir’s companion so I stayed with him and Elder Passy (from Rexburg, going to Porto, Portugal) and Elder Hahn (from Las Vegas, going to Porto, Portugal) from the older District. We had a lot of fun watching “Legacy” and then came back here and now I’m just getting ready for bed. Today has been really good. We got a new District about a week and a half ago and I got to know one of them tonight. His name is Mitch Young (I think) from Burley, Idaho. He took Mindy’s Institute class before he came in and it sounds like he and his sister have both had Mindy as a Teacher. He loved having her as a teacher and you can tell Mindy she did a good job teaching him because he’s doing really well. He’s new to the zone and is headed to the Mozambique, Annola Mission in South Africa. They speak Portuguese there (more like Brazilian Portuguese) and he’s going to be great. I have just a few questions for you guys. Did you guy’ activate my debit card? Because I can’t use the phone to call the number and we don’t have a Wells Fargo ATM here. We have one ATM and I’m not sure if it will work. Do you guys want me to send my black suit back? Because I also need to send my watch back and have you guys take a few links out if that’s OK. Hopefully this letter has pictures in it. I’m low on money and I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick them up. Tell everyone Hi for me! I love and miss you guys!
Elder Haws
Dear Family,
This weekend has been pretty great. Yesterday we went to our classes like normal and studied all day. Then at 7:30 we went to the gym and watched a special 4th of July program about the reformers of the Bible and the Founding Fathers. A Branch Presidency member from one of the branches narrated the program while there were video clips of different people speaking as if they were the Reformers or Founding Fathers. They had some technical difficulties and a lot of the Elders I’ve talked to about it didn’t think that it was very good. We got to sing and hear about history, so I really enjoyed it. Then we went out at about 10:20 to watch the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. It was weird being up so late but the fireworks were pretty good. I got to talk to the other district that came in with me quite a bi which was nice. They’re all going to Lisbon so that makes 11 missionaries going there in a few weeks (10 Elders, 1 Sister). The fireworks came in two waves. One set came at 10:10 and the other at 10:20. People said that was normal but the fireworks were just OK. I guess I kinda overestimate fireworks everywhere I go now because of Maleluca’s big show. After the show we all went to bed as quickly as possible because we were already pass our bedtime. How was your guy’s Fourth of July? Anything exciting? Well, today was Fast Sunday which means we had a mission conference. It was pretty good and after that we had District meeting. I didn’t teach this week so it was great. I told the Elders in my District I never want to do it again, but every time I do they tell me my lesson was great. After District meeting I did personal study then we went back to the dorm and took a nap. Then we went and had dinner and went to the Fireside. The who is in charge of our Learning and Education here spoke with his wife and they did great. During his talk he showed a picture of his trainer as he told a mission story. The Elder was pretty good looking so I leaned over and told the Elders next to me, “Hey, that looks like me!” Just then a sister turned around in from of me and stared at me for a few seconds and didn’t seem to happy. All the Elders next to me busted up laughing but this sister didn’t seem to understand that I was being sarcastic.
Eventually she smiled and turned around but everyone thought it was hilarious. I thought she was going to kill me. After the fireside almost everyone from our zone left. We normally stay and watch the movie that they put on after because they always put on the best movie in the gym. This week we only had 4 of us there but it was still really good. My companion left with Elder Muir’s companion so I stayed with him and Elder Passy (from Rexburg, going to Porto, Portugal) and Elder Hahn (from Las Vegas, going to Porto, Portugal) from the older District. We had a lot of fun watching “Legacy” and then came back here and now I’m just getting ready for bed. Today has been really good. We got a new District about a week and a half ago and I got to know one of them tonight. His name is Mitch Young (I think) from Burley, Idaho. He took Mindy’s Institute class before he came in and it sounds like he and his sister have both had Mindy as a Teacher. He loved having her as a teacher and you can tell Mindy she did a good job teaching him because he’s doing really well. He’s new to the zone and is headed to the Mozambique, Annola Mission in South Africa. They speak Portuguese there (more like Brazilian Portuguese) and he’s going to be great. I have just a few questions for you guys. Did you guy’ activate my debit card? Because I can’t use the phone to call the number and we don’t have a Wells Fargo ATM here. We have one ATM and I’m not sure if it will work. Do you guys want me to send my black suit back? Because I also need to send my watch back and have you guys take a few links out if that’s OK. Hopefully this letter has pictures in it. I’m low on money and I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick them up. Tell everyone Hi for me! I love and miss you guys!
Elder Haws
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
