Hola Familia! =)

Wow! We had another jam packed week! It sounds like with AIM test, scout campouts, and presidency meetings that you guys stayed busy as well! 

Last Sunday we had an incredible stake conference with Elder Calderon. He talked a lot about being self sufficient. One of the big problems here in South American wards is that the bishop often feels very overwhelmed. So he talked quite a bit about how we can better support our wards. And of course he also talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy. No surprises there, but it was a fun reminder. We had a very good attendance at the stake conference though with a mission president, stake president, temple president, and an area 70. All of whom shared a few words. I really loved what the temple president said though. ´´If we are not in the path that leads to making and keeping temple covenants, than it doesn´t really matter what path we are on.´´ What a powerful reminder!

Last week my companion, Elder Gemmell, got called to be the new district leader! He was really disappointed because he was really hoping to get transferred from the office back into the general mission field, but this new assignment has helped keep his spirits up. We did two companionship interchanges this week, one with the zone leaders, and one with two elders from our district. It was a good trip down memory lane because on Wednesday I was working again with Elder Peralta who was in our district in Ventanas. Good times =)

We´re running to the church in the mornings and playing basketball as our daily ejercicios. That´s a warning, Jacob. ;) 

On Friday we had a pretty good experience working with a couple who are ward missionaries. They took us to go see a less active member named Marcos Rodriguez. Marcos is a diabetic who has lost both his legs. He expressed his desire to come back to church, and just needs someone to help him out with the transportation. His brother is not a member and is willing to listen to us when we come, so it was a win win situation! It really was a tender meeting, and we set it up with the Elder´s quorum president. He officially has a ride to church now. Really there are so many people who just need someone to talk to.

Sorry for cutting my letter short. (I find that I have less things to talk about when about two thirds of each day is spent in the mission office. Not to complain because I know that I´m serving in another way. It´s just not quite something you write home about haha =) ) but I just wanted to say thank you for all the great support that you always share with me.

I hope that everyone has safe and exciting weeks! 

Lots of Love,

Elder Hales. =) 

Elder Gemmell, Jonathan and Elder Oyler