Week 95 - Ny Kibo Tsy Mba Lamosina

Salama e! Manahoana ry tompoko lahy sy tompoko vavy?! Antenaiko fa mbola salama tsara ianareo daholo ary enga anie tsy naditra loatra ianareo e! Tena tsara ity herinandro lasa ity! Nandeha tany talata volon'ondry izahay ary milay be izany e! This was a great week for us!! I don't even know where to start! We had the most investigators at church that we have had in this area so far, plus we had a good group of less actives reactivated this month and that was great! Andry and his family came again. Man I sure hope I will be sending you all pics of him baptizing his wife and daughter here soon! We had a week full of just cool experiences and what most people would call "coincidences" but obviously the Lord's hand is in the work and they are not just coincidences. We teach a way cool 20 year old guy named Nirina, that came to church today. He is a stud. We found him through another investigator and he is elect. I will not be surprised if he is on a mission in a few years! Also a mother and daughter of a family we have been teaching forever came to church! Saholy and Diamondra are their names and it was awesome to see them walk into church! We have such an awesome group of investigators. It makes everyday tons of fun. This week we had tons of very spiritual lessons and I learned a lot. I had a great study in the Book of Mormon the other day. In Jacob 4 verse 8 it says, "Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God." I love this scripture! Especially the end. It is absolutely impossible for someone to follow God if they themselves do not search for Him and seek out revelation out of a true desire to know. You can not follow God without first asking Him how to do just that. It breaks my heart to see so many people not find the truth simply because they have not asked God. I have grown a very strong testimony about revelation on my mission. Before my mission, I was always taught to read and pray and find out if it was true. I did that and grew to know that the church and Book of Mormon is true and that's why I came on my mission. But growing up in Mormon town 101 I had no idea about the beliefs and teachings of other religions and people around the world. Throughout my mission there have been many times people have asked questions or made statements that contradicted what I had been taught or believed. I wont lie but some made me sit back and think a little and say, 'Ok. I really don't know the answer to that.' But every time I go home and go to my knees and study the scriptures. And well I am still here so I guess that means I haven't found anything that has worried me enough to call it quits and say its not true. I have always found an answer to what I am looking for. Sometimes that answer is just a little one and it requires faith but it's an answer. Since when did Heavenly Father ever say it was all gonna make 100 percent sense and there would be proof of everything and you wouldn't have to exercise a little faith? Sadly in our world today people say that those that show true faith in God are naive or small minded. In 2nd Nephi 9:28 it says, "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." I wish the world we live in today had more faith in God. I wish more people understood that Google and Facebook and your friend down the street are all great but when it comes to following God we should be asking Him for answers. I know He will always answer. He has for me so far. I hope and pray that anyone that has a question or doubt will go to their Heavenly Father. He is the one source that is right 100% of the time. You are not weak minded or foolish if you rely on God. He really is there and He wants you to ask. I hope you all have a great week! Mazotoa! 

 Pics of our activity last P-day! The busses taking people to talata volon'ondry! 

 This stuff is called Koba. The place we went is famous for selling it and there's tons of guys walking around selling it like these guys. 

 Me and Nathaniel. 

 A pic of part of our group.  

 Henintsoa is the kid in the hat with his buddy. Henintsoa is son of investigator family. He's a stud and wants to serve a mission at 12 yrs old. 

 Pics of people mainly sending these cuz i need to print them off for them and need them on my email to do that haha. 

 The place we went had a pool table and everyone wanted to take on the American haha.

  Pics of everyone at lunch at the activity.

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Pics of some of our investigators that came to the activity.  

And some primary kids that wanted pics.

Pics of the views out by the activity. 

Elder Willey knows the Larsons. He is friends with Adison. Way weird he's friends with her and he's on a mission. I still feel like her and Brax are Sophomores haha.

Pics of us getting tea and bread before renewing our visas the other day!

 Lady selling us our tea and bread too.

A pic of our area.

Sunset in our area. 

My favorite food these days.  

Little kid peeking through a fence at us. This happens a lot and then we come to the fence and they run away.

We had lunch with Rachel and her family. I taught Rachel over a year ago in Ambohimanarina and we have kept in great contact ever since. Her family wouldn't be baptized but her daughter just got baptized! Rachel is one of the most faithful people I know.  

Lunch at Rachel's. 

Views of the area.

 A normal day doing missionary work in Mada.

Week 94 - K'aza Antsoina Hoe Badman Za e!

Salama daholo! Inona vaovao aminareo?! I hope you all had a great week! I sure did! This week was awesome. My favorite part was seeing Andry, his wife Sarah, and daughter Valery walk into church on Sunday. Andry is an inactive member and his wife and daughter aren't members. We have been trying to visit them and this week we finally caught them! We were supposed to have a lesson with them Saturday night also but they had something come up. We just stopped by at like 9 and dropped off a white shirt and tie for Andry, as a member assumed he didn't have one and told us that. Man, seeing them walk in was so cool. Andry was all smiles! They walked in late and Andry was shaking everyone's hand as he was coming in. It was awesome! Everyone welcomed them so great and Andry was so pumped to get his daughter to primary and man that's just what its all about! I hope and pray that we will be seeing Andry baptize his wife and daughter in the coming weeks. 

Besides that, we had lots of great lessons and experiences this week also! This week I also read a great talk from the last conference. Its titled "Its All About The People" by Gerald Causse. This is a quote I loved: "President M. Russell Ballard taught, 'What is most important in our Church responsibilities is not the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held but whether or not individual people—ministered to one at a time just as the Savior did—have been lifted and encouraged and ultimately changed.'

My dear brothers and sisters, are we active in the gospel, or are we merely busy in the Church? The key is to follow the example of the Savior in all things. If we do that, we will naturally focus on saving individuals rather than performing tasks and implementing programs. Have you ever asked yourself what it would be like if the Savior visited your ward or branch next Sunday? What would He do? Would He be worried to know if the visual aids were good enough or if the chairs were positioned properly in the classroom? Or would He find someone He could love, teach, and bless? Perhaps He would seek out a new member or a friend to welcome, a sick brother or sister in need of comfort, or a wavering young person who needed to be lifted and encouraged.I promise you that as you strive to be on the Lord’s agenda, nothing will become more important than finding those people you can help and bless. At church you will focus on teaching individuals and touching their hearts. Your concern will be to foster a spiritual experience rather than organize a perfect activity, to minister to your fellow members rather than check a box for the number of visits you have made. It will not be about you but about them whom we call our brothers and our sisters." 

I really love that. We had a great lesson in Elders Quorum about Ministering. Just imagine if everyone loved and treated others and served them like the Savior did. I know that there is nothing more powerful than a friend who reaches out in sincere love and care for someone else. There is nothing that can change a life more than that. I am so grateful for my mission and all the wonderful people I get to serve and love. I hope we can all see the greater purpose of this church and our life here on earth. I hope you have a great week! Mazotoa! 

 Some views from Ambohimanarina last P-day! 

 Some rice fields and people working away. 

  

These kids were following us around and so we took a pic of them. I hid behind a wall and grabbed a kid as he chased after us and he saw his life flash before his eyes haha. He thought the jokes that white people steal kids was true for a second it was hilarious.

Week 93 - Ny Bainga no Vavolombelon'ny Mpiasa

Salama e! Ao tsara? I hope you all had another great week! I know I did! First off, Rodeo's baptism was great! It was an awesome experience and he loved it. I have definitely not seen him smile that much since I have met him. The first thing he said was, "Wow! I'm so happy!" He is a stud and its been awesome to see how much he has changed so that he can better follow Christ. We visited him the day before his baptism and talked with him. The time before that he mentioned how its kind of scary making a covenant with God and knowing that it will take a lot of change on his part. We gave him Alma 36 to read about Alma's conversion. Then when we visited with him the day before his baptism. He shared a lot of his feelings. He compared himself to Alma; he said before he had lots of friends that were French and many didn't believe in God. They would tell him that God is a myth created by poor countries so they have something to hope for. Rodeo said he kind of started to believe that. Then he said but Alma had an angel come to him and tell him what was true and you guys came to me and told me all about the Restoration and the truth! He said he talked to lots of members and missionaries of different churches but none gave him the desire to change. But for some reason when he started learning with us he felt strengthened and wanted to change. Man, I can sure promise you my teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not what moved him to change but his Heavenly Father encouraging him through the Spirit is what he felt. I love Rodeo and how sincere he is. He would constantly tell us how its hard to change and live the commandments. One thing I have noticed a lot on my mission is how being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints isn't all that easy. It takes a lot. Living worthy of the commandments and principles taught in this church sure is a high standard to live by. A lot of times people say stuff like, "Man those Mormons just ask too much of ya or those Mormons are over the top. We don't need to do all that stuff and keep all those commandments to follow Christ." Now I am sorry if this comes off a little strong but statements and beliefs like that are from no one but the devil himself. We believe in God, right? The God that has all power, strength, knowledge, wisdom, and all the above? The God that is greater than anyone or anything in the Heavens and the Earth? Well if we do, why do we think he would only ask us to keep a few commandments and standards? If we compare this to sports, God would be the coach and we would be the players. I sure have never heard of a championship winning coach or even just a slightly succesful coach come in at halftime and say, Alright fellas, all we gotta do is shoot 50% from the free throw line this half and we might just have a shot at winning this game." Since when does a good leader ever set the bar low? Now God has a little bit more knowledge than Phil Jackson also. Why would we think for even a slight second that God our Heavenly Father would command us to be anything less than our very best? Heavenly Father sure didn't let our Savior have an easy way out. He didn't tell Christ that he just needed to suffer for the kind of bad sins of the world and only the pains and sufferings that don't hurt too much. No, He sent Christ to suffer for all. Everything and anything that can even be imagined. And now we expect God to say to us. Alright you have a Savior now go out there and shoot 50%. Go out there and live just ok and average lives. Man, if being a member of this church seems a little hard at times and we feel its asking a little much of us then hallelujah it must be true! If this church was led by men, it wouldn't ask so much of us, but I know it is led by God and thats why the bar is high. I know God our Heavenly Father wants us to live great lives and lives full of happiness. As we keep His commandments we will find that happiness. I'm so grateful for a Savior that suffered for me. Although I know this is the path and this church is His restored church, I sure do mess up and fall down a lot but I know that as long as I don't leave the path and give up, He is always there leading me along by the hand. It sure is hard to be a Mormon sometimes. But how grateful I am for that. I hope we all know and understand that through living the commandments and teachings in this church and repenting when we fall short and trying and trying again we will one day return to live with our Heavenly Father. I hope you all have a great week!! Mazotoa!! 

 A pic at Patrick and Faniry's house  Patrick is a way successful guy and they had a huge cake for his bday haha it was good.  

 A pic of this guy selling these shower things I assume he invented. Malagasies shower out of these yellow bucket container things and this guy hooked a shower head onto some and was selling them haha way good idea. 

 Some views of our area! 

 I saw Eric, who I baptized over a year ago again. He was with his girlfriend and her friend. He is planning for a mission and doing great. He was asking me about James the Mormon and if I know his songs hahaha. Eric and I had some photo bombers haha.

 Pics of Rodeo's baptism and the lunch after!

  Us taking some members over to Rodeo's after the baptism.

A baptism in Fort D. The mom and two little kids in front is the family of Ronaldin, the tour guide. The girl on far left, I taught also. So good to see them baptized! Ronaldin will be next baptism hopefully!

Week 92 - Nisy Nanontany Hoe Iza Tania

Akory aby?! Inona vaovao aminareo? Mbola tsara aty any Paradisa Gasy. This week was crackalackin', in the words of the zebra from the Madagascar movie..I'm forgetting his name right now but oh well. But for real it was a great week! The work is going awesome! We have tons of awesome families and people we are teaching and we experience these awesome miracles everyday. Man it's so cool. Rodeo will be getting baptized this Saturday! We visited him Friday and talked about baptism. He asked tons of questions and said he feels that it's true but he wants to know more. He actually came across anti-Mormon stuff (those guys need to take a pay check and take a vacation man, like seriously). But that made him ask tons of questions and kind of hesitate a little. But he said he wanted to fast and pray and he would call us the next morning and give us an answer. We said ok. And I told him to think of just one question, that is "is the Book of Mormon the word of God? Or is it a book and lie written by Joseph Smith?" All the other questions depend on that. Well Saturday morning Rodeo called and he simply said I'm ready! It will be a great day Saturday! I'm so pumped for him. Also this last week, we were walking on the street at like 8:00 to go to our last time. There was a mom walking with her little son and I kinda just started poking the kid on the head and messing with him and stuff haha. Then I started talking with the mom and I asked if she went to church. She said yeah and then pointed at her husband a few steps ahead of us and said he's a member of your church. So we talked with them for awhile and got their phone number. Turns out her husband, JeanGee, was baptized like 10 years ago or so and is in-active now. But they said they wanted to learn with us. So we ended up calling them last week and the guys phone is what they would call a foza here to say the least haha. That basically means its a phone from Madagascar and it sounds like you're talking to a darth vader with no teeth walking through a tunnel in New York on the other end. Anyways hard to hear what is being said haha. So the first couple tries we couldn't get the phone to work. Then this last week, our last time fell through and we decided to call JeanGee again. It was about 7:30 at night and he answered and told us the name of the area he lived. We asked a guy where that was and he said it was far away and the road going there was very dangerous with lots of thieves and stuff. He told us to not go there and got the opinions of those sitting around him to convince us not to go. Then we said ok and started walking in the direction he pointed. He said "Hey! Where you going?" We told him, "The place you just told us about." haha. Anyways he didn't know what he was talking about as it was very safe (don't worry mom). How grateful I am we went. We found JeanGee and lo and behold we found four families. JeanGee and his siblings and their spouses and kids. Ends up being about 15-20 people not including little kids. And their grandparents are married in the temple. Wow. They said they will be coming to church next week. I can't even wait. There's nothing better than being a missionary! Life is great. This week I read an awesome talk from last conference. It is "Take The Holy Spirit As Your Guide" by Elder Larry Y. Wilson. He talks about a lot of great things but my favorite part is his example about Lehi's dream in The Book of Mormon. He first shares a scripture from 1 Nephi 15 saying, "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, and lead them away to destruction." He talks about how those in Lehi's dream that walked along the path either held firmly to the iron rod or simply followed the footsteps of those ahead of them. I really like that example. There's two kind of members in this church. Those that listen to the word of God and those that listen and also hold fast unto it. We must make sure we are doing all we can to hold fast unto the iron rod by doing all the small and simple things each day. Prayer, scripture study, church attendance and partaking the sacrament each week and temple attendance. If we do those things with pure heart and true intent than we can be sure we are holding fast to the rod. Sadly those that simply walk along the path following the footsteps of those ahead or simply grazing the iron rod will fall away when mists of darkness come. We cannot be casual on the path back to Heavenly Father when life is good and there are no challenges. Because when hardships come and temptations appear if we are not already holding fast to the rod we will likely slip away. What can we do to better hold fast unto the word of God? I am so grateful for this Gospel. There is no other way that we can receive true and pure happiness. I hope you all have a great week! Mazotoa! 

 Some Malagasies working hard. Pulling these huge carts up huge hills. 

 And idk how the heck they can carry that many bricks on their head and walk to the house they are building like that. Dang. 

 A pic of us at dinner with Mirado and his family!

 Pics of the view of a new apartment for missionaries. 

 That big white steeple and church is our church. It's huge  

 That other big building is the famous Carlton hotel here... its a 5 star hotel. 

A pic of a little kid asking me for a dona (fist bump) haha.