September 28, 2009

Hey Family,
Well, things here in Guayaquil are cruising along. This week hasnt really changed a whole lot with the companions. This saturday morning we had a meeting with the asistents because once a transfer they call in all the zone leaders to look at their area books and planners. Yeah, that was pretty interesting. It all started the day before when i noticed that my companions constantly had their planners out and were writing in it during the entire day, which was kinda weird. After a while i realized what they were doing. They were filling all the white space from the several days that we hadnt planned. Later in the evening my companion tossed me his planner and said i could copy his plans to fill in all the white spaces. Basically to lie to the asistents. So when they look at our agendas, it seems that we`re planning and doing everything right, which we`re not. I was tempted to leave my planner blank and make them look like idiots when the asistents open our planners to see that theyre different and they i would tell them the truth, but i didnt do that. I filled in the blanks. But there were still blanks where we hadnt done weekly planning. Well the asistents soon discovered that our area book was garbage and our planners were also quite sad. He then asked us why (i really didnt talk at all during the whole thing). My companion made up excuses and then we all promised to be better. We promised to help each other to be more obedient, we promised to do our contacts in the street, to plan, to update the area book, and everyone promised to do it. I was a little doubtful. So on the bus ride home, i told myself i would give them two days to prove that were going to keep their promise and if they dont do it, then im going to start taking a little more iniciative and help them be obedient. Well, the two days have passes and nothing has changed, so this morning i started doing things differently. Before i let them sleep if they wanted to sleep all morning. This morning i got up singing and turning on and off the lights so everyone would get up and it worked. today they only got up a half an hour late! We then cleaned the house, and they went back to bed. This made me mad. So i went in there doing the same and no one wanted to get up, so i got a glass of water and after some water turture, they got up (but a little ticked off). I dont know, maybe im acting out of line but im sick and tired of the constant disobedience. Theyre not only destroying their own missions but theyre destroying mine, and im not too happy about that. Ive never seen such laziness, and the saddest part is that its coming from zone leaders who are supposed to be the examples for everyone else. President wrote me last week and basically just asked for more information, and this week he didnt write anything, but we have interviews on friday, so im sure we`ll talk then. But i dont know, im just sick of doing nothing. And a bad thing is that we`re in a trio right now, so its possible that i could be staying with one of them for the next transfer too. The thing is that i could stand it. If they want to stay in the house all day and do nothing, that fine. I have patience for that. But if we`re going to have success here, we need to work. We cant have both. We cant be lazy and have success. so im trying to get them to wake up and stop being lazy so we can have success, but im seeing that they really have no desire, so i dont know what to do. But all is well. Theres always pros too. Ive had lots of time to study and ive learned lots about patience and the spirit and diligence. I had an interesting thought this week. If someone joins the army with dreams to be a general, what does he have to do? well, he has to be trained, has to gain experience, has to be tried, and has to know how to react in the very instant that something occurs. We`re in training to be Gods. Heavenly father is our instructor and hes training us to be gods. We too have to be tried, trained, and we have to gain experiences so when we`re gods, we will know everything we need to know. So i guess this is just part of my training. There something (or a lot of things) that i have to learn from this. The lord gave me difficult companions before and it seems i didnt learn, because hes making me do it again. But im loving it. Im not one to get upset or discouraged easily. I more feel bad for them, and i just wanna help, but it seems they dont want it.

So something really awesome happened at church yesterday that made me think a lot. We were in priesthood meeting and the lesson was about being true disciples of jesus christ. In the middle of the lesson a member of the bishopric came in and said there was a elder member from another stake that was sick and needed a priesthood blessing after church. The first thing that was said was ¨why cant the high priests do it?¨ and the reply came that everyone was busy. All 15 or so of the elders jokingly began with their excuses on why they couldnt go. At last, the elders qurom president said he would go but he wanted the member to pay for the taxi because he didnt have much money. The member of the bishopric then left and the lesson continued. About two minutes later, a brother raised his hand and said with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes ¨shame on every one of you. You all know that im not a member of this church (he was excommunicated several years ago, but was still going to church) and i would give anything in this world just to be able to say that i COULD go and give him a blessing. Everyone of you can go, but you make up excuses not to. What a coincidence that we are talking about true disciples of jesus christ but you all in this moment, have denied the holy priesthood and refused to serve your fellow man just so you can have you sunday afternoon nap. shame on every one of you! You dont understand what its like to be a disciple of christ.¨ When he got done with that, no one said a word. His words were powerful. He quickly shut everyone up. Hands than started going up, ¨ill go,¨ ¨ill go too.¨ In the end about 8 brothers went to give member the blessing. It was quite an experience. I learned a lot about my responcibilities in that lesson. It gave me a boost to work harder. Too bad my companions didnt get the same from that experience.

Well, i didnt find my debit card, but i didnt really look either. ill look a little harder this week though. I honestly have no idea where it could be though. but still, ill look. As far as my clothes, everythings perfect. My shoes are good (although ill probably change the soles out soon, but thats a whole $3). Shirts, pants, socks, everything else is good. But speaking of that. You were talking several weeks ago about preparing a package to send. Did you ever send that? I didnt remember if you told me that you sent it, because i havent received anything. But maybe you never sent one, i dont know.
Cool, i didnt know CJ was on a mission. And Austins leaving soon too. Theres been a lot of people leaving lately. Im way excited for Justin to get here. The mission secretary told me that he received all his papers, so its official now. I told his to make some connections so he can be in my zone, or my companion. We`ll see what happens. Im sure ill get to see him at some time or later.

WEll, theres the report for this week. Everythings going well. We have two baptisms planned for next week. Lets just hope the Lord doesnt punish us for our disobedience. I love the ward. The members are great. the food is great. Just problems in the house. But i love you all and thanks again for everything that youre doing for me. HAve a great week!

The church is true
Elder Irwin II