Hey everyone,
So I'm really glad you guys e-mailed me. Elder Hawke was
getting a little worried because there was a span of about 2 1/2, 3 weeks
of where I heard nothing from anyone. I was okay with it. He was freaking out,
wanting to call the mission president so he could call you to see if everything
was okay. If it had been a month, I would've started worrying.
Kidding, I worried a little bit.
So, about the hernia. I wouldn't have worried too much about
it, would've just waited until after my mission to get it taken care of. But we
were helping this lady move and we were moving a big couch, and I think I did
something to it. Now it just hurts constantly, especially when I cough and
sneeze and sit down. So I decided it might be best to go to a doctor just
to make sure everything is alright and turns out it got worse. We had a big
fiasco with insurances but I think we got that all settled out. Tuesday I go in
for a consultation with the surgeon, I don't think I'll necessarily be getting
surgery this Tuesday. So, there's my update on that.
Tell Kayla I'm still awaiting her package that she promised
to send me.
Sounds like everything is going great.
We had a really difficult week. Difficult in that we
basically had no time to do anything. We had our meeting with Bro. Golden on
Monday, P-Day on Tuesday, and a regular proselyting day on Wednesday. Wednesday
was actually a really good day for us. We were able to visit Heliot, Elizabeth
(more on them later) and one other friend of a ward member, plus a couple of
less active member visits. Thursday we went to the LA Temple (more on that
later too) and Friday we had our district and zone meetings. And Sautrday we
had our weekly plannning and a Dia de Hispanidad. So basically, we had very
little time to do some actual proselyting work.
Like I said, Thursday we got permission from Pres. Martin to
go outside the mission to the LA Temple with our district. Elder Torres is
about to die on Saturday (leave the mission field), so Pres. Martin allowed him
to go to the temple one last time with us. The LA Temple was so nice. It's
interesting to see how different each temple is, how unique each temple is. The
LA Temple is really nice, and the rooms are beautiful.
Friday we taught a few lessons. Not much else to say. District meeting was
good. We made horchata, so that was a lot of fun.
Saturday was our Dia de Hispanidad. What went down there was
that we had each barrio (ward) in the stake in charge of two countries in Latin
America. Our barrio was in charge of the Dominican Republic and Panama. But
each country had a baile tipico (typical dance) and the comida tipica (typical
food) from each country. So it was really good. We had a few investigators go
to that, and it was a lot of fun for them, I think.
Sunday we had three cenas (dinners). Yeah, three. There was
some confusion on the ward meals list by two members on who had what for
Sunday, and since we don't like to offend the members by cancelling, we
had to go to both of the members for dinner. Then Heliot's tia (aunt) called us
and said that Heliot was inviting us to a barbeque at his house. And since we
love Heliot so much, we couldn't deny that. So we said yes to that. And all
three of the meals prepared like so much food and kept offering us seconds (and
thirds and fourths). Mom, I have gained 13 pounds since my last doctors
visit (which was two weeks ago, I weighed in at 188). I think I've doubled that
in the last two weeks.
Speaking of Heliot. We love Heliot. We love his family. He
has changed so much since we first taught him. He loves us. When he invited us
to the barbeque, we were the only ones outside of his family that he invited.
He shares with us all his life stories. When we first talked to him, he barely
talked at all, gave simple yes-no answers. Now, he's really progressing. He has
given up drinking coffee, which was hard at first, but now it's getting easier
for him. His kids are wonderful too. The twin boys are mischevious little kids
but they are so funny and they love us. And the daughter Jessica really enjoys
the gospel. We tried committing Heliot to baptism yesterday, but he's not ready
yet. It's okay, though.
I've found that I find more joy in bringing people to the
knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they get baptized or not. I've
seen people change lives. Heliot's life has changed so much. Elizabeth's life
has changed so much. It was almost the exact same story with Elizabeth. She was
really timid and shy at first, but has really opened up to us, talking a lot
and cracking jokes in a very difficult to understand El Salvadorian accent. She
has friends in the ward now, whereas before, she stayed secluded in the
confines of her own home. This gospel changes lives. Even if Heliot and
Elizabeth don't get baptized, that really doesn't matter. Do I want the to get
baptized? With all my heart, yes, I want them to get baptized. But seeing
the changes they've made in their lives has brought me so much joy.
Interesting story: As we were doing our weekly planning on
Saturday, we were debating whether or not to set a baptismal date for Heliot's
kids. The kids' mom is kinda against the church and she has joint-custody of
the children (Heliot and the mom are divorced). This week, the kids were
supposed to be with their mother. So we prayed whether or not we should set the
goal to set a baptismal date with the kids. We felt like we should set that
goal, so we did. I remember me saying that I dunno how this will happen, but
God wants this to happen, so he'll prepare a way for it to happen. The next day
at church, we were talking to Heliot and he said that the kids' mom would not
be able to take care of the kids this week, so he would have the kids. I
remember thinking "answers to prayers." Yeah, I love God and how
he answers prayers.
We were listening to Christmas music this week. We
needed to be reminded of Christmas because it's been a whole 9 months since
we've had Christmas.
Oh, and we were also listening to the Saturdays Warriors CD.
And the first thing I thought of is mom singing "Who are these children
coming down?" every time we walked down the stairs. So every time we walk
down the stairs, I sing that song. Fun stuff.
Apparently there was an earthquake a few weeks ago that I
forgot to mention. 3.9, I think. Yeah, I must've missed it. The hermanas in our
district were all freaking out. I might've been asleep or I dunno what. But
yeah...
Well, that's about everything. Stay safe. Send letters. Be
honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and do good to all things.
Love ya.
Elder Nathan Gruenewald
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