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!