Yeahh, I survived.....

Dear Family,

Sorry about those pictures last week! I never knew that they didn't go through. I guess that makes this week just that much better! Lots of pictures from Elder Haws! I broke down and decided to buy a 4GB memory card for my camera, cuz my 1GB one filled up. So now I can take lots of pictures!  That is the talk by Elder Holland that I wanted...Good Things to Come thanks.

So here's how the whole African hair works....girls here are only able to grow small little afros. so, every girl here buys fake hair, and they sit down for like hours and have someone like braid it into their hair, and then they have long hair! Does that make sense?

and yeah I stay warm enough here and yeah Spur has American food. We just used some golf clubs from the driving range..they just borrowed them to us.



the before...

 This week was interesting. We got a sweeeet new red car last Monday! Driving it was heavenly! Automatic! On Wednesday we had zone training with President and Sister Probst. It was really good. We watched a talk Elder Holland gave in he MTC and he talked about how missionaries don't study very well, and he recited John 21...when the apostles, after Christ died, thought it was too hard to keep the church going now that He was gone. They thought it was fun while it lasted, so they decided to go back and do what they were good at...fishing. They fished ALL night, and caught nothing. In the morning, a man from the shore asked if they caught anything, and they said no, and they were told to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, and when they did, they brought up SO many fishes that it was a miracle the nets didn't break. Peter jumps into the water and swims to the shore to meet the Savior, and He had made breakfast for them.

Then, Christ tells Peter the classic lines, "Peter, lovest thou me more than these?" "Feed my sheep" and he does that 3 times. We all know the story. And the funny thing is, Peter isn't a fan of 3's (he denied Christ 3 times) but basically Christ is straight up asking Him if he loves Him. And He also makes clear that when you came and followed me, you left your nets forever! There's no going back. That is the moment when Peter became the apostle that people would beg to just be in his shadow, he was so powerful. So Elder Holland related that to us missionaries. When we decided to come and serve a mission, we left our nets forever. Before we watched it, Sister Prosbt asked us to write down all the things we left behind at home...family, friends, school, work, etc. I was amazed at how fast I was able to write them down. But then after listening to Elder Holland, it hit me that I left those things, my nets, and decided to serve a mission. I don't know, I can't really explain it, but it made sense to me, and it was powerful, at least I thought so!

Yoah, President gave some powerful insights...like how we, as missionaries, are heart breakers. We go around and try and crack people's hearts just enough to let the Savior's influence in. And he also changed the word of Tracting, or knocking on doors, to LIFTING! That's what we're here to do. Lift people. So what if they don't let us into their house, or reject us. They're not rejecting us, they're rejecting Him. President talked about the Rule of 7. People need to hear things/be exposed to things 7 times in order to know it. Cool huh?!

Sister Probst talked about how important trust is. Is it more important to be Loved? or Trusted? and trust takes a long time to build and establish, but only a second to take it away.



Yeahh, I survived

 Anyway, now to the thing you guys are probably wondering about! What in the world happened to the car?! Well, I'll tell you. So, Friday after district meeting we had to take the keys to the chapel back to bishop. I was the one driving. We were up by Highway, a truck, that had apparently been robbed while on Highway, sped around the corner, and we saw it, not too far from us, and out of the back of the car, a few things were falling out of it, because obviously it had just been robbed and the doors to the back of the truck were not locked, so they were open. So there was pretty much nothing I could do. It all seemed to happen soo fast. Our car wasn't really moving, and all I think I said was "OH SHOOT" then BANG! It happened just like that! YOAH! It was scary. Don't worry mommy, no one got hurt! But I did have a lap full of shattered glass, and had to spit out some small shards the somehow made it into my mouth.

Remember how this car was brand spankin' new! yeah. bummer.



Check that out!

We pulled over to the side of the road, and so did the other driver, and we exchanged info and stuff. He was cool about it, and not a jerk. We waited there for like half an hour for the police to come, and they showed up and just said, "go to the police station" haha. So we did and sat there and had them fill out all of this paper work that took forever, but eventually they were finished, and we were on our way...but there was one slight problem..our car had a massive hole in the windshield! So I had to make some phone calls to the mission vehicle coordinator and a guy in town on what I should do...and the decision was made that I drive back into town, with the car the way it was, and swap it with another car, that was supposed to be going to other missionaries, but we took it, cuz we needed it more than them. So, we hopped into a new car, and drove back to MD and were back to work by 5pm! Hectic.


Had to drive like 25K's like that...traveling 80K/hr

Church yesterday was good. Had a powerful DA and then some sweet appointments with our recent converts who were just baptized. Mamma Pam said she felt the Holy Ghost soo strong when she was baptized, and it was very apparent that she was extremely happy. 2 of her daughters have passed away, so we had a powerful lesson yesterday on the temple, and she was so touched and happy and excited to one day go to the temple and do their work for them. Then, we saw Chris, and talked to him about missionary work and life as a missionary. He is eager to get out and serve! It is great to see.

Well, this morning on the way here to the email shop, we got a phone call from the man himself...President Probst! He asked if we were ready for some transfer news....and we sure were! Elder Barlow is staying in the area....and as for me.....I'm just going to Mdantsane 2nd ward! And my new companion is Elder Grow, from Idaho. I am now a senior companion! haha. But boy, another 6 weeks here living in East London. Good thing this place is super nice! I'm not sure, but I think the area is a walking area...and it has been chilly some days, but that will be just fine. Elder Grow is a funny guy. Super sarcastic. We'll have some fun together!

So this week I hit a dog while I was driving! I didn't do it on purpose! But it still lived and just scurried away. We finally got the General Conference Liahona! I've already read most of the talks! CHECK OUT PAGE 41! Yeah, I'm pretty sure Elder Barlow took that picture, and those 2 elders were the AP's (assistant to the presidents) Elder Cooney and Elder Cannon. Those guys are awesome!

Sooo, remember by dad (trainer) Elder Aires! Well, he goes home on Thursday! It's a shame I won't be able to see him. I love that guy.

Now I'm in 1 Corinthians and loved Chapter 2 verse 9. Powerful.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

And hymn 101 "Guide Me to Thee" is sweet...just sayin'

Time to say some goodbyes and then some hello's. This past transfer has just absolutely flown by! I worked hard, and did all the things I needed to do in the area. I'm for sure going to miss it! I'm sure the 2nd ward is just as sweet!

Good thing you guys are praying for me and the Lord is keeping me safe!

Mucho Love,
ELDER HAWS!