Week Nine.

Hey all!

So this week has been a bit hectic.  My (first) trainer, Elder Griffin, took off for the United States--no worries, he served his two years :), and so I have a new companion!  His name is Elder Barber, from Spanish Fork, Utah.  Pictures will be sent.  But,  like me, he is a nerdy reader, except he's been serving for about a year.  Fun guy.  I think we'll get along.

Anyway, the other things that have made this week stressful is that the branch president was unexpectedly released this Sunday and we don't know whom we'll be working with in the weeks to come.  In addition, a little contention in the relief society (so, essentially the entire branch since it's mostly made up of grown women) brought about our lowest turnout yet to Sacrament Meeting.  It's really humbling--and, I'm sure, frightening for Elder Barber, new as he is to Varela--to see how few strong Church members we have to draw upon here, our very small pool of investigators, and a lot of the rejection we're facing even from otherwise incredibly friendly people.  But we are confident that the Lord has put us here for a reason, and that we will accomplish the good He sent us here to do as we obediently follow the promptings of the Spirit.

Along those lines, there was a really neat scripture shared in the last district meeting we had that I felt really applied well to our situation--it was Christ speaking of how some are sent to sow seeds and others are sent to reap the harvest, even if someone else did much of the work beforehand to get the harvest ready.  It helped me feel confident that "we are sowing, ever sowing" seeds of good in the world, and that no word spoken that inviteth to come unto Christ is wasted, as it always serves to nourish the faith growing within those we teach and speak with.  "For every thing there is a season, and a time appointed"--right now might be a time to try our faith, but the blessings will come and are, if we look for them, in fact already coming into our lives for our diligent, enduring service.

So, the work continues!  Lots of knocked doors and four tired legs later (that's two haunches apiece, for those of you worried I was talking about just myself instead of my companion and me), we have yet to find new investigators since a couple of weeks ago.  Most of those we found in the past have by now lost interest or asked us not to come by anymore.  It's so hard to even find people a second time after a good lesson or talk with them, since most of the men here work out in the fields for weeks at a time, let alone bring strong Priesthood holders into the branch like we need...  But the Lord has all power.  It will be done in His own good time if that is His will.

I love you all so much!  Heavenly Father does too--even more, believe it or not.  Thank you for your support--I've received several letters and will hopefully have responses in the mail by the end of the day.

Cordially yours,

--Elder Hansen