March 28

March 28, 2016

I'm staying in Sabotsy-Namehana, but getting a new companion. His name is Elder Liao. I don't know a whole lot about him, I have never met him. He has been in Tulear my entire mission (other south west side of Madagascar) He has 3 transfers left and people say he is a cool guy. Next week I should have a picture.

Not much happened this week, just another week in Madagascar. I did make pancakes for our Branch President and his family though. His wife really likes them. Funny thing though, we still had rice and loaka. That is what Malagasies eat. In the US we ask, "What is your favorite food?" Here we ask, "What is your favorite loaka?" It is always assumed you are eating rice.

Last night I realized why members of the church are so happy. It's because we center our lives on Christ. Everyone in this world has trials, but if you want to overcome them and be happy you need to rely on Christ. I have met some people who have really hard lives. Some of them are way bitter, while others are still way happy. It's the ones that trust in Christ that are happier. Especially members of the church. I love visiting members because there is a spirit in their homes that you just cannot describe. I never realized until my mission just how big a difference the gospel makes in our lives. It is scary to think about where I would be without the gospel. Elder Monsen and I have asked ourselves what would we even do without the gospel. What would be the point of everyday life? Knowing that we have a heavenly father who loves us and our purpose here on earth has helped us so much in our lives. It makes me feel sad for all the people who don't know what we know. I kind of understand how Alma felt when he said, "Oh that I were an angel and ... could go forth with the trump of god... to declare repentance." If only people would understand what we have to give them!!! We know the path to eternal life (which is the greatest of all gods gifts!!!!!). Lately I have really feel the truth of the scripture that says "they hear but they do not understand" (pretty sure Christ says that somewhere in the new testament). Most people here will listen to us but that's it, they don't really understand what we are trying to tell them.  It is very hard to get people to follow through with commitments.

A few weeks ago we had stake conference and President Foote (my mission pres) spoke. He said, "the church is just a building, this is just a talk, the Book of Mormon is just a book, reading the Book of Mormon, going to church, listening to talks doesn't do anything for us unless we apply what we learn. I've realized how true that is over the past few weeks. I have met people who immediately say that they believe the Book of Mormon is the word of god. Some even read it. However, they aren't really understanding what it means, they aren't applying Moroni's promise (Moroni 10:4-5). If the Book of Mormon is true then Joseph Smith was a prophet and ny fiangonan'i Jesoa Kristy ho an'ny olomasin'ny andro farany is the only true church of Christ here on earth and all other churches are churches of men. Anyways those are just a few of my thoughts this week.

I hope you are all doing well. It sounds like Easter was fun and everybody is doing well. We didn't really do anything. though today is the day most people party here.

Word of the week is Paka which means Easter.

Love,


Corey