Hastening the Work!

foto from our conference with Elder Kevin Duncan of the 70. Zona Apopa, w00t!

Dear family and friends,

A big HELLO from here in Apopa! And hugs all around. (But only to the hermanas. Muchachos only get a firm handshake.)

Dad asked me a while ago which word we use in Spanish for `hasten.` We use `Apurese`. And yesterday Hna Escalante and I were running ourselves (and five wonderful, faithful members who were out with us) off our feet hastening the work in one of our pueblos (cities). We have set a goal with the bishop to open a rama (branch, which is a small LDS congregation of about 25-100 members) in Nejapa by the end of this year. Right now there are only a handful of members and another handful of progressing investigators in that part of our area, so we have a series of smaller goals of things we`re doing to help us really develop and hasten the work.

We had an awesome family home evening last night in the home of one of our recent converts, Rosa, who`s now a member missionary on fire! She invited two people to her house for the activity, we invited one of our investigators, and all three of them plus two kids showed up. Add all the ward missionaries and the ward mission leader, and it was a true party. We started with a message about Christ`s eternal and pure love for each of us and that we are His hands here on earth. We finished with a few rounds of various games. `No te comas a Pedro,` (Don`t Eat Pete, Mrs. Tuttle! :D) `pan chuco,` and `què pasarìa.` I don`t think I`ve ever laughed so much in my life. I forgot every care and worry and just let myself be lost in the joy of sharing with new friends.

Laughter truly is the best medicine. Laughter and work. Bueno... laughter, work, and the passage of time, depending on what challenge you`re facing.

May all of you laugh often, work hard, and love much. God is blessing you! If you look for His hand in the little things of life, you will find the strength and will you need to carry on.

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Henrie

a beautiful morning (taken from the doorway to our patio)

Hna E asked me what we do as a family for Valentine`s Day, and the night of Feb 14 we ate dinner by flashlight (we don`t have candles) while my iPod played soothing instrumental music. Very romantic. haha (her family always hosts a dance) it was nice, because it was very peaceful.