March(ing) Again‏

Hey Family,

From here it appears to be the end of the world. Terrell Owens is on the Bills, my nephew is a skater, Jonah (who didn’t talk when I was home) is turning four, and Tavernari is completely inconsistent making Cummard responsible for saving the day…

Life is going pretty good down here. March is the hottest month of the year, and has started to prove it. After 5 minutes in the road Elder Cook already looks like he’s melting. It doesn’t help that we spend all day walking in a straight line. When I say “straight line” I don’t mean:

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I mean:
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It doesn’t matter if we’re coming or going, climbing or descending, it’s rough. I’m getting pretty used to it, but Elder Cook is still struggling a little bit. He loves it, but it’s easy to tell that he’s suffering a little bit. Soon enough he’ll have it under control and all will be well in Zion.

It’s crazy to think that the transfer is already half over. Ever since Elder Cook got here I haven’t been answering the questions “How much time left?” or “When do you go home?” I learned very quickly (from others’ experiences) that if you answer this the people just start talking about home, planes, English, dollar, dating, marriage, war in Iraq, etc. I’ve decided that it’s better to avoid the straight answer and just tell them that I’ve still got plenty of time left and that my bags aren’t packed yet. There’s still plenty of work to be done before mid-May.

This week will be Zone Conference again. We’ll wake up early to catch the bus to Ipomeia on Thursday. More trainings from the assistants, doctrine from THE SISTER, burnings from the President, and come practice worth the lessons. Everyone always leaves the conference ready to work and baptize the people. The downside is that here in the west, we get real anxious to teach and baptize, and then spend a few hours on the bus going home. When we get back to the apartment its bedtime, and then we have to fight to get that fire back the next day. It’s tough, but more than worth it once it finally works out.

Tell Greg to get himself ready. He needs to be prepared for the basketball for 3 straight weeks. He might also want to look into training on a FIFA video game because we will have to start the epic showdowns between Brazil and Portugal.

I’m fine, the weather’s heating up, and there’s plenty of time left so stop worrying about me.

Calendar-Free,
Elder Haws(mo)

Old Faces, New Scenery‏

Hey Family,

Is winter really coming to a close up there? Things starting to heat up? I know how you feel. Everyone seems incredibly proud to announce that the hottest month of the year is March. Good times. I'm not too worried. The heat is nearly as bad as the summer rains. Sometimes we have perfectly blue skies all day, and still manage to get two or three big hits of 15 minute rain showers. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but no one else is complaining so I won't.

Carnaval came to a close on Tuesday night so we've been back to the regular work schedule ever since. I can't imagine being in Chad's shoes. 7 pm curfew for any longer than 5 days is ridiculous. I d='t know how things are there, but down here almost all of our investigators get home from work at 6:30 and can't receive visits until around 7. Best of luck to him.

Mom, I would love to send another postcard or two, but I won't be able to this week. You forgot to include any addresses. Just let me know who (WITH THEIR ADDRESS) and I'll find a way to get them mailed off.

This week I had a fun little surprise. As we were walking through the streets Saturday before lunch a lady walked up to us and started a conversation. She mentioned that she wanted us to come by her house because her son got baptized two years ago but has recently fallen away from the church. She said that all she or her husband want is for him to be active in the church because it is the best place for him to be to stay out of the ways of the world. She also mentioned that her daughters read the Book of Mormon and want to be sister missionaries. When I mentioned that we would be more than happy to stop by, she mentioned that the son had been baptized in Xanxere. I quickly asked his name, and upon learning his name was Jackson, immediately remembered him. I went to journal yesterday and found his baptism. On the 27 of September of 2007 Elder Martin (my trainer) interviewed him for baptism. After the interview he went so far as to ask me to baptize him, but due to the incredibly long distance from my area, I couldn't. It truly was the hand of the Lord that brought me to this area so that I could help him and his family. The Lord works in mysterious ways from time to time.

March is upon us, the sun is shining down, and I'm fine so stop worrying about me.

Soaking up the Sunshine,
Elder Haws(mo)

Enjoying the New Bedtime‏

Hey Family,

Life is getting pretty crazy down here in Joaçaba. We’re officially halfway through Carnaval, which means the biggest is yet to come. Having to be in early is killing our work, but our obedience will have to lead to blessings. The Lord is watching over us, sees our willingness to obey, and will take care of the rest.

Wednesday night Elder Cook got here just in time to partake of the birthday cake. I think I already mentioned, but each month we have a “Branch Birthday Party” for everyone who has a birthday in that month. Elder Cook was more than happy to get of the bus and get stuffed full of dessert.

Elder Cook has been in Brazil for a total of 6 months now. 2 months in the MTC (São Paulo) and 4 months in Navegantes. Needless to say we’ve spent a good amount of time discussing that city. I was more than pleased to be informed that he and his trainer managed to baptize just about every investigator I left behind. He’s from the same group as Elder Hill (my companion in Joinville). Elder Cook is from Las Vegas, Nevada, attended one year at UNLV, and his passions include guitar and hockey. He’s the first REAL hockey fan I’ve spent time with so he’s teaching me plenty of little facts and interesting stuff to know. His NHL team is the Edmonton Oilers, he is 5’11” has reddish-brown hair, loves personal study, and is eager to start baptizing again. We’re going to have to start granting that wish! Joaçaba here we come!

You want me to bring home the winter clothing stuff to give to Greg? The only thing I was planning on leaving was the waterproof exterior to the coat. I’ve used it enough that it doesn’t have the same guarantee anymore, and a member liked the look of it enough to start bartering for it. Just give me the word and I’ll leave it in the suitcase. Unfortunately I won’t have the option of giving a lot of stuff away. My clothes don’t fit many people.

You guys are already planning the sacrament meeting in May? Relax. We’ve still got PLENTY of time. Nearly 3 whole months. Remember parents aren’t aloud to get trunky… at least not until the missionary already is. I was talking to an Elder the other day whose mother started a weekly countdown in her email beginning at 20 weeks. That’s absurd! No one is allowed to try that stuff.

I’ve started to laugh at the weather. Every night it starts to rain just as Carnaval starts to happen. The same thing happened last year in Imbituba. I think somebody upstairs doesn’t approve of this party. If nothing else, at least we get to go to bed a little early.

Thanks for everything. The cards should be arriving soon, the festivities should be coming to a close and I’m fine so stop worrying about me.

Avoiding the Apostasy,
Elder Haws(mo)