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!!