July 25

July 25, 2016

Not really a whole lot to share about this week--just another week in the life. The things missionaries do don't change very much from week to week. I did, however, watch "Windows of Heaven" in French. I think that is the name. It's the one about tithing and the drought in St. George. So many things here are in French. Especially anything to do with technology is in French. Malagasy just doesn't have a word for it or if they do no one knows what it is. It makes me sort of want to learn French. I've got a pretty good handle on Malagasy now, but I've still got a lot more to learn. Currently all I have is a missionary vocabulary.

Word of the week is mitovy which means the same.

July 18

July 18, 2016

So we had a curfew on Tuesday and Wednesday because of some stuff going on with the president. But other than that nothing really out of the ordinary for me.

On Friday I learned how to wash clothes by hand! It was way cool! It is also very hard. I now understand why people here always seem to be washing laundry. It makes me extremely grateful for a washing machine. Machines really do make life easy.

On Saturday I gave a talk about baptism at an 8 year old girl's baptism. Giving talks in Malagasy is incredibly difficult for me. I've reached the point where I am just fine having a conversation with any Malagasy, but man, giving talks in Malagasy is a whole different story.

I also made strawberry shortcake for a family on Saturday! They loved it. Strawberry season is starting here in Mada [Madagascar] which makes me excited, though strawberries are one of the few fruits that are better in America. (The other ones are apples and oranges.) Other than those, the fruits here in Madagascar are a ton better. That is especially true for pineapple!

This is how we get around. The mission rented a
taxibe and all the missionaries in
Tana went to the nicest field in
Madagascar and played soccer.

Today was really fun! All the missionaries here in Tana [Antananarivo] got on a taxibe and took an hour drive to probably the only true soccer field in Madagascar. It was really fun, and I even scored a couple of goals! It has been a long time since I've played any sort of sport on any sort of grass. Every field here is just dirt. Hopefully next week I'll have some pictures to include.

Word of the week is manasa lamba which means to wash laundry.

I love you! I hope you are all having a great summer!

July 11

July 11, 2016

It was a wonderful week. We had two baptisms on Saturday and two different baptismal programs. Tahiana got baptized in the morning because his family had something they had to do in the afternoon. His cousin baptized him which was really neat. Christian got baptized in the afternoon and I got to be the one to baptize him. It was neat. The water was absolutely freezing!! But no one really minded. They both bore their testimony after they were baptized and it was incredibly sweet for me. I've had the opportunity to be a part of almost all of the lessons for both of them, and it has been wonderful seeing them learn and apply the Gospel in their lives. Saturday was a very special day seeing them get baptized. It will be neat seeing them progress even more in the gospel!

Word of the week is Mpanao batisa. That is how you refer to the person who is baptizing. Mpanao literally means doer. For example John the baptist is called John mpanao batisa in Malagasy,

Went to a crocodile farm with my district and Wesley today! It was way cool! Crocodiles are huge!! Wesley took a bunch of pictures. Hopefully he will send some to you!!

July 4

July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July!! Have a hot dog or something for me!

It has been a really good week. Christian passed his baptismal interview on Friday night. It was incredibly nerve racking waiting outside for 30 minutes while they did it. He was super ready though, and he passed no problem! He will get baptized this Saturday. Unfortunately his wife Elie won't be able to get baptized with him because she hasn't been able to come to church because it's still too cold for her newborn baby. I don't know if I have just gotten used to the heat here or if it is really cold, but it has gotten really cold here. Sometimes I've got two sweaters on and it's still cold! I never thought I would say this but I am looking forward to it being hot again.

Yesterday was neat. We have a family that are recent converts, and their two little girls got baby blessings yesterday! Also another recent convert who is related to them just turned 12 and got the Aaronic priesthood! It was a cool Sunday!

Word of the week is mangasiaka which means cold. Fun fact it is also how we refer to less active members: mpikambana mangasiaka which litteraly means cold member