Zone Conference and the Book of Mormon!

Querida Familia!

  Can you believe it? Yet another great week has come and gone!! Where does the time go?  I have no clue...  But, that doesn't take away that we had another great week and tons of things were happening!  Let's catch you all up:

  First off, we had Zone Conference on Tuesday! It was all on the Book of Mormon.  It was amazing!!  Pres. Palmer challenged us to start from the beginning of the Book of Mormon and read the entire thing by Mother's Day.  He said that's about the same amount of time that it took Joseph Smith to write the Book of Mormon.  He also said that he wanted us to mark every reference to Christ.  It's kind of like what I was doing before, but a little bit different... I am so excited for this!  President also trained us on how we need to use the Book of Mormon more and use it better in our teaching.  He brought up a promise that Elder Holland gave us when he was here in January... Elder Holland told us that the success of our mission depends on the effectiveness of how we teach from and use the Book of Mormon.  Well, to be able to do that, we need to have a testimony of it... Already, a week into the challenge, I know that the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.  It is another testament of Him and His Gospel.  Pres. Palmer challenged us to go back to our areas and really focus on the Book of Mormon... We've been working on that and we have seen some amazing things happen... Let's see what's up with everybody!

  Lopez family:  Bad or good news?  We'll start with the not so good news... Eutiquio relapsed this week.  He stayed after work on Thursday and was drinking with his buddies.  It really upset Maria and so Eutiquio was kicked out of the house this week when we went by on Friday. He had almost gone FOUR weeks without drinking! It was a bit disappointing, but Maria still came to church yesterday and we set up an appointment for tonight so hopefully we get a chance to talk to the both of them.  We really hope we get to see Eutiquio and talk with him.  Keep him in your prayers... On a higher note, that lesson with Maria on Friday was super powerful.  We had seen her on Wednesday and left her with Enos 1 to read... When we came back on Friday, she had all of these things that she was so excited about!!  The chapter had really spoken to her and was what she needed... She had an excitement for the Book of Mormon that she hasn't had before! When we were done discussing Enos she told us, "Give me another chapter!"  She knows that Satan is working super hard on her right now because she is so close to making that step to follow Christ.  Keep the whole family in your prayers!  Alberto y Mari: Mari found her son that has been missing for six weeks; that was the good thing, but it's been super stressful on her.  She's reading in the Book of Mormon and she's already in Jacob.  She loves it! She takes it to work with her and reads it on her lunch break and then reads it when she can't sleep at night.  Now we just have to focus that on what those feelings mean... We had a chance to read in the Book of Mormon with Alberto in 1 Nephi 3 and by then end he was like, "What happens? Do they get the plates?"  Now he's really excited to keep reading and find out what happens... We talked to him about how important those plates were to Nephi and his family and how that is how important the scriptures are to us in our day and time.  There's no value for the word of God.  He really liked that... Lisa Ramos:  We stopped by last night and had a really good chance to just talk and ask her questions about how she has felt about everything we've shared with her.  She doesn't know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and she really doesn't understand why we need the Book of Mormon when it's teachings are so similar to the Bible.  We used the example from Elder Tad Callister's conference talk about how when there are two testaments of the same thing, we know for sure what the Doctrine of Christ is.  She seemed to understand that better... We read Moroni 10:4-5 with her and asked her what she needed to do to know if what we were sharing is true and she said "Pray with everything I have."  When we left she said she had a lot to think about.  

  I love the scriptures.  I love being a missionary.  I love sharing and learning more about our Savior, Jesus Christ and of His Atonement.  He loves every single one of us. 

  I was sad to hear about Sis. Clouse. Know that she and all of the Clouses are in my prayers...  I know that Heavenly Father and Christ are always there for us and that we can always talk to them through prayer.  There's nothing greater than being out here.  I love you all! Thank you for all that you do! You're all in my prayers and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

  Hermana Haws

Pictures from 2/24/12

On our way to see Elder Holland!! :)

SNOW!  This was the first day of that one week we had really bad snow

Up at Fancher Heights (on the hill) w/ Wenatchee in background.

heart attacking Alberto y Mari's door :)

Feliz Dia de San Valentin!

Celebrating one year! :)

The Tall and Small Show

Sis. Probst: 6'2"

Sis. Driggs: 5'0"

Exchange!

me, Sis. Probst, Sis. Collins, Sis. Krambule

*we cover just about every range of height... :)

District Photo :)

Maria Lopez, Me, Sis. Probst

walking the pedestrian bridge across the Columbia River

Sis. Probst took this pic on the bridge...she calls it my "attitude picture"

not sure why... :)

Columbia River

East Wenatchee to the left, Wenatchee to the right

Exchanges and Baptism Date!

Querida Familia!!
  What a great week!  We had  a lot of interesting things happen, but we really had a really good week.  We have zone conference tomorrow and we're going to be talking about revelation through the Book of Mormon and how to better use it in our teaching.  I'm really excited for this one! But, on with the news of the week!
  LOPEZ FAMILY:  We had a lesson with Maria and Eutiquio this past Friday and we talked to them about baptism and confirmation.  We went over the promises we make when we're baptized and what heavenly father promises us.  Then we asked them the baptism interview questions and they passed them all.  It was really kind of a neat experience to hear them bear their testimonies.  I am really grateful for them.  Maria still is hesitant to set anything because of some personal issues she is dealing with, but we invited her to look at a calendar and to pick a date and then pray and tell and ask Heavenly Father to help her resolve all her personal problems by that date so that she can move on and not worry herself about it anymore.  She agreed to do it and I'm really excited to see how it goes for her.  GARRETT MINSKE: We taught him the plan of salvation yesterday and that's what they've been going over in sunday school, so he knew and volunteered a lot of information.  We invited him to be baptized and he said yes, so now we're working towards March 24 for him for his date.  He's really excited about it; he's already doing everything that a member does, but now we just get to make it official.  ALBERTO Y MARI: Mari has read 124 pages in the Book of Mormon!!  She says that she really likes it and likes cross referencing it with the Bible and she says that she wants to read it more and more.  Alberto hasn't read as much, but he has such honest and sincere faith... They're both awesome.  We went and heart attacked their door for Valentine's day and when we went by on Wednesday to go visit them, they still had the hearts up.  LISA RAMOS: Is having a lot of issues with her teenage daughters right now... But she's turning more to our Heavenly Father in prayer.  She also said that she's been reading in the Book of Mormon and that she's inferred that it's true because it's teachings are the same as the Bible.  We asked her if she's prayed to know it's true and she said no, so we invited her to do that.
  We had exchanges this week and Sis. Probst went to Quincy with Sis. Krambule (the traveling sister) and then Sis. Collins came here with me.  I'm grateful for exchanges and the chance I have to learn from the other sisters.  Sis. Collins is a very loving, caring missionary and I had a good chance to work with her.
  Well, I think that about sums up the week!  This morning I finished 2 Nephi and there's a two verses that stuck out to me in chapter 32. In vs. 3 it says that the word of Christ (the scriptures) will tell us all that we need to do and then in vs.5 it says that the Spirit will show unto us all things that we need to do.  The scriptures and the Holy Ghost and the most powerful tools and resources that Heavenly Father has given us.  It's the way we can communicate with him.  We have the chance to talk to him in prayer and then he communicates back with us through the things we read in the scriptures and the comfort/help from the Holy Ghost.  I am so grateful for the chance that I have to read and learn more about our Savior, his atonement, and the love that he has for us.  And I'm really grateful for the chance that I have to share that with others up here in Washington!
  I love you all!! Thank you so much for everything!!

Love,
  Hermana Haws

Hello!! :)

Querida familia!!

 So, I heard you counted down how many transfers I have left... :) haha  You all are funny!  This week has been another good one and we had the chance to talk to a LOT of different people this week and we did see some miracles with our investigators.  
  So, let's get you all updated on how everybody is! LOPEZ FAMILY:  We taught them Tithing this week and they didn't have a problem with it.  Their fellowshippers, the Ramos', have done a really good job about being there for them and answering their questions, so by the time that we were there and officially taught them about it, they were like, "Yes, hermana, we already know about this."  ha, it was funny to hear Eutiquio say that.  He's really a pretty funny guy...  Oh!! And HUGE news with them... Eutiquio has NOT had any kind of alcohol for the past TWO WEEKS!!  Which is huge for him because he used to come home and have like two or three beers a day.  When he told us that, I couldn't stop smiling I was so excited for him!!  Still no baptism date for them, but they are getting closer and it's such a privilege to work with them.  ALBERTO Y MARI:  Didn't come to church yesterday... We realized this week that we have to go back and talk to them about a few different basic principles of the gospel.  But they are still reading and coming up with questions, so that's good.  LISA RAMOS:  Talked with her about the gospel this week again we talked about smoking.  We told her that the next time we come by we'll talk about the "Quit Smoking Workshop" that the church has... Keep praying for her that she'll have the desire to quit.  She knows it's not good, but this week she told us it's just her "crutch". GARRETT MINSKI: He is the 13 year old son of a member that was baptized a couple of years ago.  Missionaries have tried to teach him before, but he doesn't have a very long attention span.  But, yesterday we had a really good lesson with him.  He's been coming to church practically every week for the past two months and he goes to mutual every week.  When we invited him to be baptized he said, "I'll have to think about it... Maybe... Probably... More than likely." And he just had a smile on his face.  He's a good kid and I'm excited to work with him.  JAMES DABLE:  He came to church yesterday!! We had bit of a rough spot with him, but we had a chance to talk to him last night and it's all worked out.  The Elders Quorum president is really good with him and invited him over to his house this week for dinner, so that was really good.  James just really needs friends right now, so even if we don't get the chance to teach him, he just needs to know that the members of the church are there for him and are willing to help him with whatever they can.
 Very eventful and filled week! :)  I had the chance to talk yesterday in the Rocky Reach ward and my topic was on "Being My Brother's Keeper". I realized something this week... In Luke 22:31-32, Christ tells Peter that "Satan desires to have you... but when thou art converted, go out and strengthen thy brethren."  That is totally being our brother's keeper.  Christ has set up the church the way he has and exemplified service in everything he did so that we know that that's the main way that Satan will not get a hold of us.  When we go about trying to serve and help others, we become more united together.
 We're thinking about others and what we can do to help them.  Which is why we have so many chances to serve in the church.  I hope that makes some sort of sense to all of you, but it was kind of neat understanding moment for me.
 I love being out here and having a chance to serve the people herein East Wenatchee.  I love my Savior.  I know He is always there for us.  Thank you all for your love and support!  I love you all! :)

Love,
 Hermana Haws

Members getting involved and Transfer calls!

Querida Familia!!

  Okay, so the weather here has been amazing!  The sun's been shining and 40 degrees has never felt better!!  No snow has fallen and it feels like spring is around the corner.  Sis. Probst and I received transfer calls last night... We both get to stay in East Wenatchee!!  We pretty much figured that's what we would be doing, but it was nice to get the call and know that's what would be happening.  We're really excited because the investigators we have are so close and we're really excited to still be working with them.

  Speaking of which.. Here's an update on them!!  The Lopez Family: Pretty calm week for them... We had a lesson with the whole family on Keeping the Sabbath Day holy and we did an object lesson with ice cream "Sundays".  It made sense to them and it was one they really enjoyed.  Maria came to church yesterday, so we're still working with her to try and get her closer to where she can and knows she should be.  We gave the family a children's Book of Mormon story book and they've been reading that with the little kids.  They're doing great!  Alberto y Mari:  They are learning a ton and Mari comes up with lots of questions.  All good.  They didn't come to church yesterday though... We're working with Alberto to help him understand a little bit more.  Mari's reading in the BOok of Mormon and we're trying to get them both to do it.  I love working with them. James Dable:  still going through tough times... We've seen him  a couple of different times, but havent' been able to sit down and meet with him. 

  The members this week have really been getting involved... In Rocky Reach Ward we had two member dinners this week where they had a friend there with them.  One of them, Allen, is a really good guy with just lots of questions about life and so we taught him a little at the dinner and then we had another lesson with him yesterday and talked about the Plan of Salvation.  It's so cool to see the members getting involved!  They're getting kind of excited and it's cool to hear and see the different opportunities they have to share the gospel with their friends.

  This past week I started reading the Book of Mormon again.. But this time, I'm going through and marking it up with every time it mentions Christ, every action Christ does, every time Christ speaks, his attributes, and when it mentions his gospel.   Lots of different things, but already it's amazing to see that literally on every page it talks about Jesus Christ.  The Book of Mormon really is another testament of Jesus Christ.  Every page in some way testifies or talks about him.  I'm almost through 1 Nephi, but it's amazing to see the difference in me when reading.  Every morning I'm excited to read it and already I can feel my love and appreciation for the savior growing more and more. 

  I love this gospel.  I love my Savior. He knows each and every single one of us.  He's given us the scriptures that we can learn more of him.  This week in a lesson we read Alma 32 with an investigator and I had a "woah! Duh!" moment... Alma 32:40-43.  Read the scriptures and learn more about Christ and his Atonement and then when you do that you will come to know him better and be able to feel his love.  That's the blessing and promise of the scriptures.  I love it!

  I love you all and am grateful for all of you! Have a great week!

 

Love,

  Hermana Haws