Countdown Begins

Malo soifua!

 

Well I think things have been getting better. Slowly. We're busy all the time, but I still see that elder Judd isn't always happy. He wants to do more but theres just not much more we can do. Especially with everyone back in school. The only people home during the day are a few moms. But he laughs at my jokes a lot and says he hasn't laughed this much in a long time. I got him laughing after a huge dinner this last week and almost made him puke. Ha! :)

 

We weren't able to me with Moli or Alex during the week. One of Moli's daughters was visiting because she was leaving to be stationed in the Bahamas (she's in the Navy). I was talking to Moli on Sunday and she told me she feels like joining the church wouldn't really make a difference. She says she already feels the influence of the Holy spirit all the time in her life and feels like she's living a good life. She's living a Mormon lifestyle. So I asked Sabrinna if she has seen a difference in her life since being baptized and she bore an awesome testimony of the difference she's seen and felt. And Moli was just like "oh. Okay!" I'm hoping that means she's inclined to be baptized again. haha. If they weren't on their way out the door I would have talked to them longer but I'll find out this week.

Brother Hawkins had a cool spiritual experience this week. He said he'd been pondering everything we'd talked about and members had talked to him about and he realized that joning the church is an act of faith. He doesn't need to completely know and understand everything as long as he believes and feels like it's true. I was so happy to hear him say that. The time when the missionaries aren't with their investigators is like 10 times more important than the times that they're present. We teach people how to come unto Christ, and it's up to them to then take those steps and keep the commitments we leave them.

 

Dad... elder Judd sounds a lot like you. haha. He really does. President Godwin gave us permission to be out as late as 10 if we need to since we travel so far and some Samoan gatherings (like voleyball) may not start until as late as 9. But Judd wants plenty of time to plan and write in his journal. We were at dinner down in Norco and they were bringing out dessert around 8:30 but Judd was like "actually we gotta go." Luckily it didn't offend them but I told him not to ever do that again. It's better to be a little late getting to bed than to offend the members.

There are other stories and incidents that I could share but I seem to be unable to talk about him without sounding negative. He will be a great hardworking missionary and there are plenty of other missionaries like him in the field that he will get along with great. He keeps trying to tell me that the two of us are super similar. And I always refute his point. haha

 

I start my Pokemon sticker poster coutdown this week. 150 pokemon, 150 stickers, 150 days left on the mish (as of Friday the 23rd).

We're going to the temple this Wednesday. President didn't change pday though which is super nice.

I've had super bad headaches lately. Pretty sure it's "stress related." Ha. Ibuprofen and tylenol don't touch it though so I try to just muscle through it. 2 weeks down, 4 left in the transfer. God's making sure I don't just cruise for the end of my mission I guess. haha

 

I've been reading Jesus the Christ again. Love it. Tons of insights into the New Testament. It has made my love for the New Testament increase greatly. Love it!

 

Well fam, have fun in Seattle. Say hi to everyone for me.

Love,

Elder N B