Well, here we go!

        Turns out one of the theams of my mission is Change! Just when you are comfortable and feel capable of doing what you have been asked to do you are changed! This next tuesday are changes and I am sure that i will change companions! I don´t know if I will change areas we will have to wait and see. 

         Time and Time again I am amazed by the ways that I am being blessed! Elder Jones was truly a blessing from the Lord to me to teach me and help me grow in faith and dilligence! I remember I was afraid to ask a certain investigator to be baptized. I was afraid that he would say no and not want to visit with us again. I let my fear of Man come before my fear of God. Then we were outside his house and Elder Jones (without knowing what I was thinking) said to me I think you should ask him to be baptized. The way he said it to me and said it in the exact moment was a blessing to me and helped me overcome my fear and remember why I am a missionary! Elder Jones has taught me what True bravery is and what it means to Fear ONLY God! he has been a fabulous learner, a humble teacher through actions, and a GREAT companion! 

          This ward! I am in the Progreso ward and I have 7 months here! That is a Long time! I think that I will most likely be leaving this ward. It is hard but I know it is because it is my time! I have learned SOOOOO much from the people here and we have seen lives change! I will never forget the young men who helped shape my life and teach me who i am! they and their simple testimonies have changed me and my testimony! I will forever be grateful for the time I spent here in Progreso! They are wonderful members striving to build up the Kingdom of God!

           The Church is True and Jesus Christ Lives! of this I have NO doubt! they can lift us from the lowest of lows and the deepest of deeps! All we need to do is accept his out reached hand! 

               Love Elder Wheat-thin Groen! 

Well, what more is there?

   I really have been in awe as i have seen the Lord bless the people and Me with SOO much! The Youth are all doing great we are trying to imply the mission work to what they are doing. We are looking for the lost sheep and have plans to rescue a few of the other youth! The only sad news is that one of the young men is leaving he is moving houses! His name is samuel and he is a GREAT young man! He is always happy and known for his funny comments! he reminds me a lot of my twin! he has the same smirk that just makes ya smile! we will miss him and all he has done for the quorums! The good news is one of the other young men will be getting bapitzed this saturday! Elder jones will perform the ordinance and he will be an official member! he is the young man who lost his father to cancer back in february. his name is Gabriel! He has truly had a change of heart. I have seen him change in attitude and become a happier person and he understands that baptism is his first step but that this step doesn´t end on saturday, but that it caries on through his life as it does with all of us every week as we partake of the sacrament! What a blessing it is to see the way the gospel can change peoples lives! It really is miraculous!!! 

        the sad thing is on June 2nd are changes and I think that I will be leaving this ward. I have spent my whole mission in this stake and seen so much and grew so much! we will see what the Lord has in store for me! All I know is Iré y haré , I will go and do! I love that line!

      Scripture of the week is Mosiah 14 The whole chapter is Incredible and I know that it is true and that Jesus Christ is my savior and my hope and because of him and his mercy and love I have a sense of purpose that drives me from day to day to give All that I have to share this purpose and love with others!!! 

 Family and friends I love you and thank you for your prayers and thoughts on my behalf!!

       Love, Elder Ethan Groen!!  


*From Andrea: 
Chilean dogs sound very different than dogs in the States. :)

What a great week!!!

  I love that i got to speak to you all! Apparently Chile has changed my english... That is so wierd to me!! Anyway it was great! I even met braden! 

        Well this week was great! we met with an investigator that has had a LOT of problems but he is working on changing his life for the better and we have a baptismal date for july 12th but I think it could be a lot sooner than that! The other one is Gabriel! He is going to be baptized the 23rd of May! The ward is super excited and he is SUPER ready! he is one of my youth in the young men! And we are SOOOO excited to see him make this Commitment!! 

       The work is working we are really busy here in our sector! we have a lot of people and work! When we do divisions with the DL it is hard! their sector is super hard and they never have a lot of work to do... So we do walking and contacting ALL the time!! but It is all good! We are called to the work in whatever way possible and to our strengths!  

      Sorry it is so short, but I want you to all know that I love you dearly and pray for you Often!!! I love you all have a marvelous week!!!:) 

        Love Elder Ethster Groen!! 

Ethan and a rooster - yup it's just that simple