Well, down to business! I'm doing great! My little Hobbit-legs have survived the first couple weeks of walking, all the food is agreeing with me very nicely (lots of rice, noodles, and "milanesa"--like chicken fried steak). Even though we only really eat one full meal a day and then snack occasionally, I'm starting to worry about getting fat.... Ha ha not that that would bother anyone here: they're all super frank and open about things that we might consider negative characteristics in the States.
Our little branch is doing well--we went from 13 in attendance last Sunday to 18 this week! Unfortunately, we're still struggling to find new investigators and reactivate the numerous baptized but inactive members here in Varela.
I had my first intercambio (exchange? :) this weekend in which my companion went to the city 33 with another Elder and I kind of had to take the lead here with an Elder unfamiliar with the area. It was really scary! But it helped me get out of my shell a little (sorry, turtle analogies...). I'm starting to feel more comfortable speaking Spanish with strangers and friends alike. So all is good news.
And the best good news of all, of course, is The Good News: namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's sometimes sad to me that people will smile and wave as they make one of the worst decisions of their lives in rejecting that glad message, but I also know that God will help them, one step at a time, to see the importance of what we teach. Like the Hymn "Lead Kindly Light" (number 97 in the English hymnbook I think?) teaches us, God will not always show us the big picture, but He will always help us to see the next step we need to take, teaching us "line upon line, precept upon precept." And little by little, each of us can come unto Christ.
I love you all! ¡Buena suerte!
--Elder Hansen
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