August 22, 2016
Hi guys!
A ton had has happened this past week! It's actually been kinda crazy, but pretty awesome at the same time. For starters, the area is still doing well. It could be better; appointments have been cancelling
quite a bit, and we are still having trouble finding new investigators to teach. We had one who had committed to Bishop Halslem to take the missionary lessons, but they missed their appointment and we haven't been able to get back in contact with them since. So we ought to be picking him up this week, if all goes according to plan. As for the people we're teaching, they're doing pretty good. Unfortunately, Maria missed church, so we're going to have to push her baptism back a couple weeks so she can get to church a couple more times (that's about the only thing holding her back). Ryan is still hanging in there. We took him to the Temple VC and I think he enjoyed it. I really hope he'll get baptized. I think the Word of Wisdom seems like his biggest holdup. He could use a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon, and this being not just another good church, but Christ's actual church restored on the Earth. But the Word of Wisdom seems to be the one he really has a problem with.
And here's some really good news: The First Presidency approved Reagan for baptism! So we're planning on having that September 3rd. Hallelujah! And speaking of baptisms, Kini had her's on Saturday. It went really well, and she had asked me to do the baptism so I got to perform that. It was tricky though, because when you are baptizing someone, or doing any priesthood ordinance, you use the person's full name. Well, Kini has a lot of Polynesian background, so while her middle and last name were pretty simple (her dad isn't a Poly) her first name is really freaking long! Kini's full first name is: Kini Kini Lou ō Háa Mohe Ofu. I had to write it on a sticky note and stick it to the glass in the baptismal font because there was no way I was going to remember all that AND pronounce it correctly. So I had a little cheat sheet. And apparently I'm pretty good at pronouncing Polynesian names because I got it the first try, and afterward several people complimented me on it. Anyway, it was a good baptism, and she was confirmed on Sunday. Good weekend.
And to make it better, Josh Fairbanks, formerly Elder Fairbanks (my last companion before Elder Cornelison) was visiting St. George with his mom and dad so I got to see him. He was also at Kini's baptism, and he came with us and had a visit with Reagan when we gave her news that she could get baptized. It was really fun. And I've got pictures that I'll send as a separate email.
So yeah, it was a pretty good week. In other news, Elder Robinson and Elder Carl moved back to the Santa Clara apartment, so it's a bit lonelier here. We also did exchanges with the ZLs and a pretty crazy day, though it all ended up working out.
I just want to take a moment to comment on how awesome mission presidents are. First of all, I've had the privilege to have two really fantastic mission presidents, President Center and President
Smith. I've especially had the privilege of working with President Smith quite a lot since he's come to the mission, so even though he hasn't been here very long, I've actually gotten to know him pretty
well. Anyway, mission presidents really put up with a lot. Even the best of missionaries are still teenagers/young adults, and have to be kept in line sometimes, and I feel like it would just be exhausting dealing with 130 or so of them. It kinda makes me wonder about the Book of Mormon hero, Helaman, who had to deal with 2000 of them. He probably never slept! But I'm digressing. I really look up to both of my mission presidents. They are spiritual giants and they've taught me quite a bit, and really helped me grow as a missionary. I feel kinda bad because I was rather critical of some of the new rules that were made a few weeks ago. Even if I don't particularly like the new rules,
I still should be more supportive. So I've done some repenting there. But yeah, mission presidents are the best, and I'm pretty sure they have about the second hardest job in the church (after the prophet).
So thank you to mission presidents and former mission presidents everywhere!
Well that's all for today! I hope you all have a great week!
-Elder Oswald
PS- As of yesterday, I've been out 19 months!
Picture 1 & 2: Zone Conference
Picture 3: Kini's baptism, with myself, Elder Cornelison, and our awesome fellowshipper Hayden
Picture 4: Myself and Kini in our baptism clothes
Picture 5: Josh (formerly Elder) Fairbanks came to the baptism so we got a picture with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment