It just became a sad P-Day. I just read the email from Dad that said the third prophet of my lifetime, and the only one that I remember passed away last night. Naturally I’m happy for him. He’s in a better place, and he’s with his wife again. The problem is: I’m selfish. Elder Brough, my district leader, always talks about how President Hinckley is/was HIS prophet. It was President Hinckley’s talks that he listened to in Primary, that he learned from during Young Men’s, and that helped him prepare for the mission. The First Presidency that sent me on mission is almost gone. It’s a good thing that this is the true church, and that it is guided by the hand of God. It doesn’t help to dwell on the past so I guess I’ll just have to focus on the good times in the future with President Thomas Spencer Monson.
Last week we had interviews with the President in Tubarao. It was great to get to meet the Elders serving with me in this Zone. It so happens that I already knew half of them from when I was serving out west, so it was a happy reunion. After interviews with the President and a couple trainings from the Zone Leaders we went to a local restaurant for lunch. As everyone was finishing up their desserts I decided to make a quick run to the restroom. I was gone for all of about 3 minutes. When I came back the Dansie’s and the 15 Elders in white shirts and ties were all gone. I made a quick phone call to Sister Dansie and she and the President came back to get me. I never would have imagined that they could leave ME behind. I don’t think I’m any better than anybody else, but I’m definitely a lot bigger than anybody else. I guess it was just my turn to be the Elder left behind.
We will be headed to Florianopolis this Wednesday for Zone Conference so if there is a package or more letters to be had I will be having them. Thanks to everyone who is writing letters. You have no idea how much it means to a missionary to know that someone back home still thinks and cares about them. When I was serving in Concordia, I always made sure to sit near Elder Harmon on the way home so that he could see me get my stack of letters. He was always jealous, and one time even got a little angry. It turns out he was transferred to Tubarao as well. When Sister Dansie handed him his letters last week he got a smile on his face. Then he remembered that I was there. He walked over to talk to me as the smile slowly disappeared from his face. He sat next to me and, without looking at me, asked me how many letters I received. I replied that I hadn’t counted them yet but that he was more than welcome to count them for me. Much to my pleasure he counted out 24 letters. Thank you everyone.
Other details: No Jenny, I’m not checking the blog. If someone in Brazil is checking the blog it must be Marcelo. He was my branch president in Concordia who sent a couple emails to Mom. He speaks English, and just has problems with grammar so I told him he could check out this site for practice reading. If Marcelo is reading the blog: Bom dia fubeca! Vocês estão sentindo minha falta aí em Concórdia? É bem plano aqui cara. Eu quase não durmo a noite porque eu me acostumai nos morros do Oeste. Dá um abraço para o todo mundo, e você deve falar para todas as irmãs que elas têm que continuar fazendo batatas nos almoços com os Élderes. Nunca esqueça Èlder Haws, o Grandão.
The weather is great, the work is the Lord’s and I’m doing fine so stop worrying about me.
There is no negative wind chill in Brazil,
Elder Haws(mo)
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