November 28

Well the rain is coming. (actually its already here. it is raining as I type this.) ... more about that later. I'll start at the beginning of the week.

So Tuesday, Elder Jackson went on a split with an elder that had been here in Mada for only four weeks in our area. I was a little worried, but they did great! They got some new investigators. (However one of them is going to France in a week. That was a new one. Usually they are moving to the countryside and we never see them again.) Jackson and I probably only have another week or so together and I'm pretty excited for him to lead the area, though I think he might still be a little apprehensive. Its been lots of fun seeing him progress, especially when it comes to learning Malagasy.

While they were working in Ambohipo, I went with another elder in Manakambahiny (Wesley's favorite ward). We taught a guy that had been taught years before; apparently he started talking to the missionaries there and invited them to teach him again. Wesley used to teach them and they remembered him. That was pretty cool. They recognized his picture when I showed it to them.

Well, Thanksgiving wasn't really Thanksgiving. I did get my Christmas package this week so of course I opened it and had some mac and cheese and smarties. I figured it was the closest thing to turkey and stuffing. I've got some pictures I'll hopefully be able to send.

Saturday we went out to the countryside (not too far) and played soccer. One of our investigators - James - came!! He is way cool and should be getting baptized in early January! Our first lesson with him he told us he was nervous about changing churches because his family wouldn't accept it, He also told us that his work might keep him from going to church on Sundays or even send him out to the countryside, but as of right now he is excited to be baptized no matter how his family feels and he got a new job this week. I'm excited for him!! (He also told a member at soccer that he wants to serve a mission.) Hopefully, everything works out!!

Sunday was the primary program!! That is always my favorite Sunday. We had 5 investigators there and I think they all enjoyed it. A lot of the songs were in French, so I didn't understand them all. I recognized the tunes at least. I don't think there is any sound sweeter than a bunch of children singing primary songs, no matter what language.

So this week I was reading the scriptures. I just started the Book of Mormon over again and I was reading in 1 Nephi 14. verses 12 and 14 kind of hit me. They talk about the saints being few in the latter days but spread all over all the earth. I'd say that is pretty true.

Back to the rain. we got soaked early in the week and then last night we got soaked again. We were leaving a house. and it wasn't raining - but right before we left they told us the rain was coming. We walked out of the house and it still wasn't even sprinkling, however, you could literally hear the rain pouring as it hit buildings and then all of the sudden it was here and we were soaked.

Well word of the week is miandry which means to wait.

November 21

November 21, 2016

I went to a croc farm today and there is a new elder named Elder Smith. I want to be his companion!

Well I'm all better now. but this week was mostly spent in the house either because of me or my companion.

On a bright note I did finish the Book of Mormon again!! It only took me like 5 months this time. I still love the Book of Mormon. I wish I could convince everyone in the world to read it from cover to cover and pray about it - and once they've done that, I want them to do it again!!!

I've decided to focus my reading this next time around by looking for every reference of Christ, and mark it. I'm doing this in conjunction with a study of the four gospels I've started recently. I'm going through them together chronologically. (I'm following the harmony of the gospels section in the bible dictionary.) I hope this helps bring me closer to Christ. An apostle or prophet recently said we come to know Christ when we learn and study about him! (... at least I think someone did.)

So Saturday and Sunday were practically our only days actually working. We taught some neat lessons. There are a few people that we are working with that I think will be able to get baptized in the beginning of January. pray for them!

Well I love you!! I'm excited to call at Christmas!! Have a great thanksgiving!!! I probably won't be doing anything special.

Word of the week is fankistrahana which means gratitude

November 14

November 14, 2016

Sorry, this email is gonna be pretty short. I'm a little bit sick today. This whole week has been a little tough, and it ended with me getting sick. We did have a great zone conference this week which was nice. I heard about Trump winning. Was that a surprise? I love you!

Word of the week is kibo which means stomach.

November 7

November 7, 2016

That is so cool you got to go do sealings! I miss the temple. It's nearly been a whole year since I've been to one. Being so far away from a temple has made me realize how precious they are. Our Stake President here is a doctor and pretty well off. They have a car. He and his wife save up and every four years they get to go to the temple. Most people, however, get to go once maybe twice in their life if they serve a mission. When I tell them I live less than an hour away from one they often exclaim their jealousy and tell me that they would go everyday if they were that close. There is a family in our ward that is getting really close to going to the temple. They are currently in the process of getting their passports! There is a another couple that Wesley knows, Ravaka and Valisoa. He might only know Ravaka. I think Valisoa was on a mission when he served here. They are planing on getting married in December and have already been saving up and aren't going to have a very big wedding with a big party in order to be able to go to the temple right away!

How long have Cynthia and Mark been investigating in the Crestline ward? [More than 16 years since before our family moved there.] I thought Tahiana (one of our recent converts) was pretty long at 11 years. Most people didn't even know he wasn't a member. He is doing really great though. He already has a calling as the young men's secretary and has been helping us teach a couple of our investigators. He is also currently applying the recent teaching he received from the bishop and stake president about "dating". I'm hoping he gets married and goes to the temple before I go home.

So this week we taught a couple named Mia and Eugene, They are wonderful people and have an adorable seven year old daughter who is always so excited to see us (Granted, she only knows French). So Eugene has a pretty unique situation. He is one of the few people in Madagascar who doesn't know if there is a God. Normally, I just sort of assume people here believe in God and Christ because Eugene is only the second person I've met here (other than Muslims) who doesn't believe in Christ. When I told the ward council about him they were all surprised. Malagasies are amazing!! They have so much faith in God. On a taxibe this morning I overheard a couple of ladies talking about the gospel. Madagascar is probably one of the easiest places to talk about religion which is nice as a missionary.

We had a new investigator this week who we had talked to on the street before. He first heard about our church by reading a French book about the history of America. I don't think the book's writer got it right because he had some false ideas. The lesson went well. At the end he said he was going to be hard to convince to switch churches because he was born and raised Catholic, However, he said he would read the Book of Mormon. I'm pretty excited for our next lesson! The Book of Mormon can change anybody's mind if they read and pray with a sincere heart,

I'm excited for the elections to finally happen! For the last few months people everywhere will stop in the street and ask us if we want Clinton or Trump. Some Malagasies want Clinton, but others ask me if America would really elect a women president. I'm excited to know who wins. Good luck voting! I wish I could.

Well I love you! Word of the week is mifidy which means to choose. It also means to vote here. Another way to say it is misafidy.

October 31

October 31, 2016

Sorry last weeks email was so short. Sometimes life on the mission feels like every week is the same. I have gotten your letters through 52 as of this week. I also got Avery's letter from Virginia which was great!! I love getting letters. Sorry I haven't written one in awhile. I do want Aunt Tana's oatmeal cookie recipe. I really like that one. I'm way excited to talk to you guys at Christmas! I would love it if we could all read our patriarchal blessings like we did when I got mine! Also I'd like help trying to figure out how to read our ancestor's patriarchal blessings. The only things I think I really want is smarties, mac and cheese, and life savers. Other than that I'm pretty satisfied with the food here.

So this past week Elder Jackson got way sick Thursday and Friday. So we didn't go out. He pretty much just slept.  I got to read my scriptures a lot. I'm now done with Helaman! Which means I get to read 3rd Nephi. Which is in my eyes probably the most important book in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is truly a testament of Christ.  Something I've been trying to focus on lately in my studies and actions is coming to know Chirst more. I'm embarking on a study of Christ's life based on the bible dictionary section entitled "Harmony of the Gospel". I've barely begun, and already I am learning a lot.

So even though Jackson was sick we had a really great end to our week. Saturday and Sunday we got to teach a lot of people who we really have a lot of hope for. Unfortunately, a plague of this week has been people leaving for Ambanivoatra (the countryside) where there is no church. There isn't really much we can do about it. We can't teach and baptize people who won't have the structure of the church to help them keep their covenants. I am very eager for the day when the church reaches every town and village here in Mada. I think the hardest thing I've ever had to tell someone is that they can't get baptized because they will be leaving the area where the church is.

Lastly, I've got some good news. I've gained 5 kilos!! I didn't know it was possible, but I have found a way to gain weight here in Mada! Granted I'm still like 10 kilos less than I was when I got here.

Well that's all I got for this week. I love you all. Word of the week is mandoa, which means to throw up or to pay. Not to be confused with mandoka which means to paint, (I've mixed those up before.)

October 24

October 24, 2016

Another week! Not much happened this week. It was a pretty good week though. I've hit my half way mark here in Madagascar, and it is kind of a weird feeling. I feel pretty new, yet Madagascar just seems so normal. I love you all! Sorry it's such a short email.

Word of the week is mampineso which means to give false hope.
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October 17

October 17, 2016

So in case you didn't know, in Madagascar there is a tradition of smashing eggs on people's heads and then dumping flour all over them on their birthday.  Wednesday morning we got a call from Sister Foote. She wanted to wish Elder Jordan a happy birthday. Luckily, he was in the shower. He hadn't told us it was his birthday. Needless to say we got him really good as he came out of the bathroom. He had to turn around and go right back in.

Fast forward to my birthday yesterday. Sister Atafita (one of the missionaries serving here in Ambohipo) cracked an egg on my head as we were leaving Sunday school. Luckily, carpet doesn't really exist here so it wasn't too hard to clean up. Then last night when Tambula and Jordan came home I was sitting on the couch and Tambula just cracked a couple eggs on my head and then proceeded with the flour. It is a fun tradition. It's weird to think I'm no longer a teenager. I'm a full two decades old.

So Saturday the sisters had three baptisms. We got to go. I was there when all three of them began taking the lessons. Two of them were kids of a less active member who we helped come back to church. Their grandpa was able to baptize them. It was way neat to see.

I realized on Saturday how much Heavenly Father is in charge. It has been neat being a tool in His hands, but I have absolutely nothing to boast of. I can only boast in my God, the one true and living God.

On Sunday, our bishop talked about tithing settlement. I am very grateful to have been able to go to the bishop every year, and see my whole family declare that they are full tithe payers. It is amazing the blessings that come when you pay a full tithe.

I learned how to make mofo gasy this week. It's really hard, but I love it so much.

Rainy season is on its way. Saturday it was pouring during the baptism. I also tried to make refried beans out of kidney beans, not the grossest thing I've eaten.

 

Word of the week is atody which means egg.