Human Back Hoe

Well this weeks sheetrocking project turned into a septic project. We were digging big ditches in Rich's yard to solve a plugged up problem. We left the cleaning out of the pipes to him though. It was pretty fun, I got to show Elder Berg and Bro. Richard why they call me the Human Back Hoe. We got a lot done for him so It was good!

We met a guy named Eliseo a week or 2 ago and he's a pretty nice firm Devout C+E Catholic. He's got a nice family of 12 kids. He's lived in the area for 20 or 30 years and I like the guy so we've been trying to get him out to a church tour or an activity so He can feel the spirit and his awesome family can come be that strength we need in the Spanish Branch. He agreed to come on a church tour Tuesday afternoon if we'd come to the Catholic social dinner that Saturday. We said "why not" and it was a deal. Tuesday rolled around, we had a member who he was acquainted with ready to come with us, and he didn't show. He got out of work late, so we decided we'd show him and not got to the dinner at the catholic church. We finally got the chance to go catch up with him on Sunday night when he was drinking modelo and watching novellas and it turned out he didn't go to the Catholic dinner either. So we're going to try to reschedule for this week.

On Tuesday I got to go on exchange with my Nieto, Elder Sanchez! I brought him here to Chelan and we set out to find people to teach. After a nice lesson with a Lady named Fausta who wasn't interested, a headache of confusion trying to find someone who could help a guy with his car which had broken down almost in the middle of nowhere and a cancelled church tour we went to dinner with Bro. Riggin at La Brisa, a local mexican restaurant, and than frozen yogurt after. I had a bit of a hard time trying to explain what froyo was to Elder Sanchez who had never heard of it or eaten it before, but he Enjoyed it, so it was good. Still no comparison to Frozen Custard.

We had a sweet lesson with Fernando. Jeff England's family had him in their home to be taught. He brought his kids, who were friends with Jeffrey's kids. It was interesting because before they arrived Jeff's son was saying how he didn't want to sit in for the lesson and neither would his friend because it would be boring. It turned out that his friend, between running around and playing outside did come and sit with us several times to participate and was interested in what was taught.

I don't think badly of or hold it against Jeff's son knowing it was quite natural and I would have felt the same at his age. But I thought what a valuable lesson it was, for LDS children at a tender age to see that the Gospel is interesting and important.

Bishop unveiled more of his Ward Missionary game plan yesterday at church. The Priest Ward Missionaries are going to receive an assignment of a person to visit every week, and They'll go with us to complete that assignment.

Bishop's got a great vision and he's been showing videos from the Hastening website in ward council every week. Its awesome to see how things are moving.

We had another miracle at church yesterday, chances seemed poor for a spanish sacrament meeting, seeing as the 2 weeks before nobody had come. As we were discussing this in Ward Council a sister came and asked for someone who speaks spanish. Elder Berg and I went out and there was a Hispanic man in his 40's and his 14 year old son. They were from Sonora Mexico, members of the church. The Boy came up by suggestion of his Grandma to attend school and learn English. The father would be staying for 2 months, and than going to mexico for 2 months alternating throughout the year. They had gotten in contact with the bishopric to find out if there was a church here and they were here to attend. So we had our spanish sacrament meeting with them and a few other white members who had come out to support. I got to give my talk which I had been sitting on for 2 weeks and it was good! Jeffrey, our Ward Mission Leader and kind of the Spanish Group Leader enlisted him immediately to go visit inactive members this week and invite them to church. It was awesome! I'm excited to see what this brings!

This was a more newsy lengthy letter so I hope you enjoyed it!

Love Elder Partridge