thanks mom (:
The cheese guy is named Merson Ortega, he works from the province of Carchi which is where almost all dairy products come from here. He sells all of his cheese in Colombia, i think because there aren't good farms there so he can get a better price. He is gone a lot and so we can't teach the wife when she is alone...so little progress there ): I never knew that Alyse was pregnant!! 9 months ago...i was still home too....oh well. Blackwelders and Myers always right behind each other with babies....not much time to write today, but always time to read because we print out the letters in the morning and read them during the day and write at night, but today we got a late start because we cleaned the bathroom. The other missionaries who attend the same chapel as us are the zone leaders. They have been teaching a family Celin, the mom is marcia and she got baptized on sunday, and President Ghent showed up too which was cool. But Marcia has two sons Lenin and Gustavo who are also investigators, but smoke weed mixed with cocaine everyday. They have been working a lot with them to get them to stop, but still are so physically attached to it. They hate it, but can't stop. I was wondering if you could ask Larry if he has any advice. The Elders working with them, one is from Guayaquil and has seen a lot of things with his friends, and the other is from Saint George, so they need some advice..
love you
Elder blackwelder
Ian's cousin Larry's response to Ian's request for help with addicts:
Ian, Hey buddy!
Your Dad stopped over on Sunday and gave me a little update on your progress. Sounds like you're doing a good job and making a difference. I'm proud of you. Your investigator that are smoking cannabis and cocaine daily will be able to get the program but you're going to have deal with the dependency also. A good starting point is seeing if they can meet you and not be under the influence, little baby steps. Take it "One Day at a Time" and then it's not so overwhelming. Maybe they can commit to a whole day without using and then contact you the next day with an update. You can be their support sponsors and also spiritual guides. Smokable cocaine is highly addictive but more psychologically than physical. Cannabis is psychologically addictive only, no physical withdrawal. They can quit but it may not be right away, relapse is part of the process for most people. The true healing from this "brain disease" is spiritual in nature, finding help from a Higher Power, outside of themselves and you may be that for them at first. Love, compassion, acceptance and encouragement are key ingredients to recovery. Another thing to remember when working with addicts, you may never see them get clean or sober that's the facts. Sometimes all you do is plant the seed and when the time is right they will remember what you said and especially your spirit and how you were with them. You can be a source and inspiration for change with acceptance and example. I know you'll do a good job with them, you did with me.
I remember sitting in your backyard when I was in the first month of recovery. You, Briana, Tess and Candice were worried, asking what was I going to do with Locals Only, with Jim, etc. etc? I said "I'm not sure, I'm just taking it one day at a time. You walked in the house a drew this little caricature of me with blood shot eyes in my torn-up shorts and shirt looking like a bomb went off. It said "I take it one day at a time but lately two days attacked me at once!" I'll never forget how loving and understanding all you kids were while I was going through probably the toughest time of my life. Love is the cure all.
Well buddy dog! Get out there now and spread the love in the way you've been taught. Again I'm so proud of you.
Love, Larry
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