I'm going to miss Madagascar!! ... I'll see ya Thursday - Sept 24, 2017

So I got picked up from Ambositra on Friday morning, we then drove up to Antsirabe and helped some elders move and spent the night. Saturday we drove to Tana and since then I have been visiting members in old areas, I went to church in Ambohipo yesterday.

I'm going to miss Madagascar!! It is hard saying good bye to people and not knowing when or if Ill ever see them again.

I love you all!!!

I'll see ya Thursday after a long travel time for me!!!

Word of the week is Mody which means to go home

Lots of Travel - Sep 18, 2017

On Monday we got a call telling us that we needed to get on a taxibe to An... on Tuesday because Elder Crosby had to do some Visa stuff. We spent Wednesday there. 

I got to visit some people with another Elder while he was doing paperwork. Then we came back down Thursday. Friday we worked in Ambositra and Saturday we went out to Anjoma and spent the night there and went to church there yesterday. 

After church we waited for 4 hours for a taxibe. That is just life in Madagascar!!

Word of the week is dia, which means trip.

... Responding to some of my back-and-forth emailing (which has been rare) :

Uh, im in madagascar we dont have ipads ... Yeah, we still do missionary work the old fashioned way, no cars, no ipads, no facebook, we usually have a phone(ours hasn't been working for a week now), though lots of our investigators dont.

[This] is where we sleep when we go out there. The winch is a well, that is where we get water when we are out there.

Sept 11, 2017 - Breaking the Bread for the Sacrament

I cant wait to see Atticus!!

Well we got a few referrals from members this week that seem cool, but none of them came to church, so we shall see.

On Saturday we went out to Anjoma we bought a chicken, brought it back to Ambositra, killed it and then made tacos with it, it was fun. Elder Crosby thoroughly enjoyed it. he is a Clemson fan but his Dad is a South Carolina gamecocks fan!!

Earlier this week I read a bit about the last supper. On Sunday I had the opportunity to bless the sacrament. As I broke the bread my thoughts turned to Christ braking the bread for the apostles. I thought about how wonderful it was to be able to represent Christ breaking the bread and how all of us who would partake of it were following his personal admonition to remember him.

Word of the week is akoho which means chicken.

My branch presidents family!

Sept 4, 2017 - excited about home

This week was really cool. My area is one of the prettiest and probably most unique in the world. I am going to miss it.  Today we found a cool waterfall.

We helped some investigators peel something manghazo. In English, I believe that it is called casava if that helps.

We got a bunch of new investigators in Anjoma which is exciting.

I was sick for hopefully the last time on my mission.

I'm really excited about being there for the baby blessings and giving my talk the same day as Spencer. That is about all I've got.

Word of the week is mamofy which means to peel.

August 28, 2017 - ... luckiest missionaries in the world!

Well we had a baptism on Saturday! Probably the last one of my mission. I have hope for some of the investigators we are teaching, but they wont happen until after I'm home.

On Thurday, we went out to Anjoma like we usually do and ended up taking an hour hike up a large hill / small mountain to teach an investigator. It was absolutely beautiful!! I'm probably one of the luckiest missionaries in the world!

We taught a guy this week and half way through the lesson he randomly pulled out a Book of Mormon and started talking about it being a record of the house of Israel. We were very surprised. He was rather happy when we told him that the book was from us. He apparently got it from a member he worked for once. We will see what happens with him. He also told us a story of how King Solomon came to Madagascar and how he felt the French don't want Malalagsies to know their history.

Word of the week is miandry which means to wait. 

I love you!!

August 21, 2017 - I am so grateful I get to serve here. I love it!

I got a new companion! Should be my last one. His name is Elder Crosby from South Carolina and he hits his Year Mark with me.

I spent the first half of this week still in Fianarantsoa, mostly in the house there because Elder Jackson was ill.

Elder Crosby met me in Fianarantsoa and we came up to Ambositra Friday. Saturday we went out to Anjoma where we stayed the night and went to church Sunday. 

I am so grateful I get to serve here. I love it! At church in Anjoma I felt the spirit really strongly. Heavenly Father loves us no matter where we live in the world, even in the middle of Madagascar!!

We had a lady who has been an investigator for around 6 years pass her baptismal interview. We also taught er nephew and his wife a few lessons, one on Friday morning and then again this morning. They were really interested and even came to church yesterday, however, they live 50ish km away where he teaches. One day the church will get to all of these people. It really is not fun to teach an awesome person and then tell them that you cant do anything else for them because they live to far away.

Well this is God's work and the gospel will reach everyone in his time, not ours. 

I love you all!!!! That is exciting about Alexis' baby!! 

Word of the week is mandalo which means to stop by.

Corey is getting closer to coming home! September 28 !

He and Spencer Avarel will be giving their homecoming talks on October 22 !

August 14, 2017 - ... before I go home.

So Tuesday I took a bus down here to Fianarantsoa. Wednesday Elder Christensen left up to Tana. I've been working here with Elder Jackson since. (He is waiting for a new companion too.) Fianarantsoa is a much bigger city and is quite a change from the small city of Ambositra. Sometime this week I'll get my new comp and we will go back up to Ambositra!

I saw Wesley Saturday night. He took us out to dinner, which was nice. I'm excited to come home, but also a bit scared at the same time. It is going to take some adjusting.

I finished the Book of Mormon last night and I hope to finish it again before I go home. The goal is to finish it on my flight to South Africa.

I love you all!! 

Word of the week is tsara which means good.

I got all the letters and stuff!!

August 7, 2017 - finished the Book of Mormon ... reading it out loud together

Sounds like a neat trip. [Our Church History Trip] You are always asking for my pictures and now I think it is my turn!! I've talked to Wes, but haven't seen him yet. Hopefully I will though.

Not a lot to say about this week, a lot of people not being home. It is vacation time here just like America.

I ate duck eggs for my first time this week. Not bad, but I would say that chicken are better.

On Thursday we learned that Elder Christensen is heading to Tana on Wednesday with an Elder from Fianarantsoa who is heading home, so I get to go spend a week or so in Fianarantsoa with Elder Jackson (my former companion) until I get my new and last companion. I'm rather excited.

Two paths diverged in the wood ...

This morning Elder Christensen and I finished the Book of Mormon. We had been reading it out loud together (10 pages a day). I should finish it on my own this week and hopefully finish it one more time before I get home. I really love that book.

Word of the week is miakatra, which means to go up.

I love you!!

 

July 31, 2017 - It took two to perform the baptism

On Saturday I got to be a part of probably the most unique baptism I ever will be. We have been teaching a lady named Celine in Anjoma. She is paralyzed from the waist down. One of the counselors in the mission presidency came down with a mission car. picked us up and took us to Anjoma. He then took Celine to a place just outside of Anjoma (5-10 minute drive/ 40 minute walk). He shuttled some of the members out there and then the rest of us walked. Elder Christensen and I both held her and I got to be the one to say the prayer. It was a very neat experience. To make it complete the next day since her wheelchair is broken the young men brought her to church in a wheelbarrow. You might think that is embarrassing, but it is a poor town and people are very humble and friendly. We stopped by her home later that day on Sunday and asked her how she felt. She told us she was happy and felt blessed. I wish all of you could have come and seen her baptism and could meet her. It has been a humbling experience serving here in Ambositraz and Anjoma.

We spent the whole weekend in Anjoma and came back this morning. We slept at the Branch president's house which is a neat experience, but I'm looking forward to my own bed tonight.

That is kind of all I've got for the week. I love you all!! 

Word of the week is tara-masoandro which means sunlight. (masoandro means sun, though literally it is eye of the day)

I got the package you sent! and Wesley called me and said he would be stopping by in a week or 2.

The closest I'll ever get to swiming on my mission ! :( :)

July 24, 2017 - Very few times in my life have I felt the spirit so strong.

After telling you that I finally didn't lose a pen, that very night I lost the pen I had just bought. I guess I haven't changed after all.

We also got the Liahona finally!! The one from this past conference. However, we only got it in Malagasy. Luckily, for the first time reading the conference talk in Malagasy I actually understand pretty much everything. I remember in training trying to read the Liahona in Malagasy and feeling like I had to look up every other word in a dictionary.

Thursday, our investigator named Celine in Anjoma passed her baptismal interview. She will be getting baptized on Saturday. Fun fact about her is that she is paralyzed from the waist down. Also, in Anjoma there is no font so they get baptized in a mountain stream. Lucky for us a counselor in the mission presidency is going to be here in Ambositra anyways Saturday so, he will be able to take her up to where They do baptisms (usually it is an hour walk or so.)

Saturday we went on a hike to the top of the mountain/hill next to Ambositra with the young men and young women, it was lots of fun, and we got a little sunburned, but not too bad.

Yesterday, As we were leaving our house we learned that the brother of our landlord who lives upstairs died. We learned this by seeing his body laying there, because they were having the Malagasy funeral there. Then last night some ladies literally spent the whole night singing some hymns. I was touched, they were still going when we woke up this morning at 5 to catch a taxibe up to Antsirabe to go to lake Tritriva. (I assume Wesley took you there Mom and Dad.) It was really pretty.

As of late, I have been wanting to gain a stronger testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, so I decided to read JS-History this week. Prior to reading it I asked in prayer for a confirmation that he was a prophet. I felt good as I read it, but nothing super special. I knew that it may take time to really realize my testimony. A few days after that however, we were finishing up a lesson and at the end as I testified of Joseph Smith being Prophet I truly felt a burning in my bosom. Very few times in my life have I felt the spirit so strong.

I also got my flight plans! It will take around 36 hours and 4 plane flights!

Words of the week: 

 Mahafoy tena means to sacrifice or more literally make oneself short

 Tsy mananm-paharoa means infinite or more literally Doesnt have a 2nd.

I love you!!

July 17, 2017 - ... asking me about and America and I just didn't know how to answer ...

This week started with us celebrating the 4th of July on the 11th by eating Mexican food. It was a lot of fun!

Friday was a really good day. We had a couple accept a baptismal date and the husband actually came to church on Sunday! Hopefully his wife comes next week. Also that day I sort of learned how to make something called Vary amin'ny ananana. It is kind of a soupy rice thing. Hopefully I will be able recreate it for you to try. I also finished a pen on Friday, first time ive ever done that. Usually I lose it before it runs out of ink.

Saturday and Sunday we spent out in Anjoma. We slept at the Branch President's house Saturday night and it wasn't cloudy like the last time so we got to see the beautiful stars. It is absolutely breath taking. 

An 8 yr girl got baptized Saturday in a stream. That was neat to see. I really enjoyed seeing her dad give her the holy ghost! (We should be having a convert baptism out there in a couple weeks.) 

Anjoma is a very small farming community. There are only a few houses that have a solar panel for electricity. It is a completely different world from where we live. Some of the member were asking me about and America and I just didn't know how to answer their questions. They have no idea the luxuries we have! Likewise, I also don't really know how to truly describe their lives to you.

Word of the week is Lanitra which means heaven or sky. In case I've already done that one, tsiky means smile.

I love you!!!

July 10 - taxibe to Anjoma

My comp & I waiting for the taxibe to go

So Tuesday morning, Elder Christensen and I made 30 tortillas and right as we were finishing up the Members called and said they couldn't do it. So we had a lot of tacos this week, It was delicious!

On Saturday we went out to Anjoma. We have an investigator there who is really progressing towards baptism. Hopefully it will happen at the end of this month!  

On the way back from Anjoma our taxibe broke down a little. Only a little, they got it running after about 30 minutes.

The chicken that rode with us from Anjoma

That is about it for the week. Not a very eventful week. I hope to finish the Doctrine and Covenants this week though, which I'm excited for.

I love you all!!!

Word of the week is varim-bahaza which means wheat. Literally translated it means closer to White person rice.

A pineapple plant

July 3, 2017 - history of the church in Madagascar ... in Malagasy

For the 4th of July tomorrow we are having tacos with a member family, and then we are going to go teach some people about the gospel. It sounds really neat that Nick is getting taught at our house! I hope to meet him! Hopefully he progresses and accepts the gospel. With members involved his chances go way up!!

Yesterday we were heading to a lesson and this guy (might have been drunk) started talking to us in what sounded like legitimate Chinese. It caught us way off guard because usually people try to speak French to us. As we thought about it we found it rather funny that someone who could speak Chinese couldn't tell that we were not Chinese. Well that is my fun story of the week.

Today we took a 3 hour taxibe ride up to Antsirabe to go to a grocery store. We don't have one here in Ambositra. The main goal was to get chocolate, cheddar cheese, and apple juice. (Mostly I wanted chocolate.) However the store was out of the chocolate I wanted so we got apple juice and cheese. Then we took a 3 hour taxibe ride back. That was our P-day!

Word of the week is dia which means trip. I love you!!!

Below is a history of the church in Madagascar, sorry it is only in French or Malagasy so you might need a translator.

June 27, 2017 - Independence Day

Sorry, didn't email yesterday but it was Madagascar's independence day, so naturally the cyber was closed. Sorry I forgot to warn you last week. But I think that that was the last Malagasy Holiday on a Monday for my mission, but I've been wrong before.

I'm missing another wedding! I cant believe how many things are happening in our family in my last few months, but oh well; I get to be in Madagascar instead!

On Saturday we held an open house at our Church. The members organized and planned and did basically everything. It went from 8-5 and most of the members were there the whole time. Their commitment was impressive.

Sunday was Branch Conference. Pres. Foote and his wife came down. I translated for Pres. Foote and we got a new Branch Presidency. I really like the new Branch President. His name is Tsiferina. and only a couple weeks ago he went to the temple with his wife and 7 kids!! In case you didn't know to go to the temple you have to provide a sacrifice. Typically not much more than paying for your own passports, but he had to pay for 9 passports! Which means he must have been saving for a long time!!

Sunday night we went over to a member's house and watched a little firework show, it was fun. they had a lot of family from Tana visiting including the 1st counselor in the mission presidency.

Monday Elder Christensen and I made 60 tortillas and went and had tacos with that same family!

Fidelis (The father of the family I told you about last week) and one of his daughters accepted a baptismal date this week. However he has been sick, he didn't go to work all week and so he also didn't come to Church, but hopefully this week he will be better and will come! We are teaching him and his family later today!

I love you all!! 

Word of the week is manohana which means to support or sustain.

Oh and Mom I got letters 76-83. I'm not missing any up to #83.

June 19, 2017 - ... one of the best lessons of my mission ...

This week has better than last week. It is still cold and I have started wearing all 3 of my sweaters and my raincoat everyday, and I still get cold. I'm getting a little worried for January when I have to go back to Utah. I'm a little afraid I might freeze to death.

On Friday we had one of the best lessons of my mission. We have been teaching a family for a few weeks now and it has been great seeing them change. On Friday we watched the Joseph Smith film with them and afterwards we asked them what they felt. The dad and his daughter both said that after watching that film they believed it was true!! It was an incredible experience. Unfortunately there are still some obstacles in their lives. They are very Catholic and it will be hard for them to make the decision to not to go to their church and attend a new one. But God can work miracles. It would be great if you could keep them in your prayers this week.

Yesterday we went out to Anjoma for church. We had trouble finding a taxibe so we ended up getting there right before the last talk. I was also asked to give the lesson in Priesthood, which turned out well. We just talked about the Priesthood.

Word of the week is tara wvhich means late. I love you!!!

June 12, 2017 - I got to baptize a 14yr old boy named Toky!

Yea!!!! I have another nephew!! That is so exciting!!!!! Now I only have one more birth left to miss. 

This week has been rainy and cold, and I got a cough. Saturday night I coughed so hard that I threw up the dinner I had just eaten. That almost describes the whole week.

Almost, because I got to baptize a 14yr old boy named Toky! he was sick and so was most of his family but when the idea of postponing it came up they all said no, Toky didn't want to wait. So he got baptized and confirmed Sunday even though on the way to the church Sunday he threw up. During the baptism program it was raining and I was positive I was going to be baptizing Toky in the rain, however what literally must have been less than a minute before we walked outside the rain stopped. It was a nice tender mercy.

My comp and I had the idea this week to try and read the whole Book of Mormon together. Today we finished page 60.

I didn't mention this last week but it was rather cool. Last Saturday, and Sunday we spent out in Anjoma. We stayed at the branch Presidents house, where there is no electricity. We also learned there is no internet access out there. So the branch President comes here to Ambositra every once in a while to deposit offerings in the bank and do the things he needs to on the computer. Talk about the middle of nowhere!!

Word of the week is mipopopopo which means to work hard, or do something fast. 

Bonus word of the week is mipipi which means to (pee). I kind of laugh every time I hear that one.

June 5, 2017 - Lots of vaovao!!

Wow! Lots of vaovao!! {*referring to Dad's email - the paragraph below?}

Sorry I didn't email yesterday but it was the Monday after Pentecost in case you didn't know and that is one of the most celebrated days of the year, so everything was closed.

We don't have much time. We have to get to a meeting with the branch presidency, but I love you!! I'll write more next week!

Word of the week is fofom-bady which is how you say fiance.

* From Dad's Email:

Brittany got engaged at the beginning of the week and Chandler got engaged yesterday. Looks like we’ll miss both weddings due to our Church History trip L  Jenni was trying to count what’s happening in the family in the next two to four months: 2 weddings, 2 home comings, 1 farewell, 2 babies, … lots happening!

May 29, 2017 - I got to baptize a 17 yr old named Max!!

Max's baptism!

Well, a pretty good week. Not as many investigators came to church as hoped, but oh well. Hopefully next week. But we did have a baptism! I got to baptize a 17 yr old named Max!! It was neat!

My comp, district, and zone!

We didn't end up going out to the lake because the mission president came down with the APs to do a zone conference, well I don't know if you can call it a zone conference. It was just my companion and I. We aren't really part of a district or a zone. It was neat though, afterwards president payed for lunch.

Word of the week is mivezivezy which means to go back and forth. it is a fun word to say.

My comp's mom may have sent the wrong balloons for his birthday :)

I love you!! Sorry for the short emails but I'm having trouble thinking of things to write about. Missionary life is pretty similar from day to day.

 

(May 14 Mother's Day) & May 22 - Ambositra is absolutely beautiful.

5/18/2017 - We had a great talk with Corey last week for Mother's Day!

5/22/17 -Ambositra is absolutely beautiful. My pictures just don't do it justice. I've really enjoyed my time since I've been here. Elder Christensen and I are getting along great and we met a lot of people this week that we are really excited for. We also got 3 referrals from the same family which was exciting.

This morning we went on a hike up to the top of a nearby hill/mountain and it was absolutely stunning!! The branch here is fairly small - which brings challenges - but it is also neat. That is all I can really think about! I love you all! 

Word of the week is miakatra which means to go up.

Will hopefully be able to email next week, but we are going out to a really cool lake and well we will see! I love you!!

May 8, 2017 - A long walk to the Branch that Mom & Dad visited w/ Wesley

Its been a pretty interesting week.

Tuesday we went to a branch in the middle of nowhere. Literally you stand at the church and you don't even see 5 houses. A lot of the members remembered Wesley and Mom and Dad. (Its the one you walked into the hills to get to.)

Wednesday we went out to another branch, but not quite as far out. 

 

The couple who rides their bike to church every week.

Thursday we visited a couple that is over an hour bike ride from the church. He is 83 years old and shares a bike with his wife and every week they ride over an hour and a Half to get to church.

Friday - Today I've been helping Translate for something called Operation Smile. It is a nonprofit charity that sends plastic surgeons to places to fix cleft palates. Over 500 people came and around 150 were selected to receive surgery. I've been helping translate for the doctors and nurses and such. Its been an interesting experience. Its hard to see people with such deformities, It was neat to be able to help some -though not all could be helped.

Well that has been my life this week in Antsirabe, Sort of a layover for me, Tomorrow I'm heading to Ambohistra where I think I will spend the rest of my mission - but we shall see.

Last day on a bike! Back to walking in my next area.

I'm still not sure exactly when I'll be skyping for Mother's Day since I'll be in a different city next week. My plan right now is to get to the cyber there as early Monday morning as I can, I don't know exactly when that will be, hopefully around 8 my time. If plans change I'll try and let you know.

Word of the week is lanilany which means palate. (Be grateful for one, because it sure makes life difficult if you don't have one.)

I love you all!!!! I'm excited to talk to all of you next week!!!

May 1, 2017 - Antsirabe (3 hrs South) to Ambohistra (another 3 hrs South)

The sky is beautiful here!

So, its been a bit of a crazy week.

It started off with a really bad haircut on Monday. The guy made me look like Spock, but, oh well, in another week or so it will be normal.

Tuesday Morning I found out that Thursday morning I would be going to Antsirabe (A city 3-4 hours south of Tana. Wesley worked here at the end of his mission, but in a different  Branch. Well after waiting in a Taxibe and a beautiful 4 hour drive here, I am now in Antsirabe. There are 3 branches in the city and 3 branches in the surrounding countryside. I am working in a branch called Mahazoarivo. My comp and I are the only elders here right now, but there are two sets of sisters. Because the surrounding branches don't have missionaries, my comp and I  get to go visit them on occasion. I was super excited to come here to Antsitrabe. It is really beautiful!! A lot less crowded than Tana which is way nice!

Riana

Happy Note: Two of my investigators in Anjanhary passed their baptismal interviews on Thursday! Riana and Arlain, I'll send a picture of them. I'm sad I missed their baptism by only a week and a half. Riana was one of my favorite investigators to ever teach. He was truly prepared and it was amazing to see Arlain progress and start applying the gospel in his life. He was able to overcome a smoking problem that he hadn't ever been able to before.

I still don't know anything about my call for Mother's Day. My plan is to call Monday morning my time like we are used to.

Arlain

My stay here in Antsirabe will be rather short. A week from tomorrow I'll be heading down to Ambohistra which is a small city another three hours south of Antsirabe, and that is where I will probably finish out my mission. You all need to be ready to tell me any souvenirs because I'm going to buy them all shortly after Mother's Day.

I got all of Mom's letters through 75!! Is there a package on the way? (You mentioned preparing one, but never said whether you sent it.)

I love you all!!! Word of the week is Sira which means salt. Fun fact: sira mamy means sugar, literally sweet salt.