THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER FOREVER

 So this is gonna be short because I am short on time and because of
how long it takes to down load pictures :) but everything is going
good here and we are having a blast. We just came back from the Area
office by the temple because there is a person there who was given to
us as a referral. Our booth didn't work as well as well as we had
hoped but that's alright we were blessed with two referrals because of
our efforts haha. We had the opportunity to meet Elder Holland this
week. He came to do an area review for the South East Area of Africa
and he came and spoke to us. We each got to shake his hand and then
when he got up to speak he told us that in our hand shake he
interviewed us and told us that there were one or two of us that
needed to repent out of the 120 that were there (Powerful and
scary)haha. Things are going good though, I interviewed a man in my
district this week and he was very powerful and ready for baptism and
he was very focused on getting to the temple with his wife who is
already a member. There is nothing better than bringing families
together forever :)
My health is doing good and there isn't anything I really need, music
is always fun to get, the Mormon Tab choir has become a favorite but
that's about it anything you think a missionary needs put it in :). It
sounds like you will have an eventful holiday season.) Thanks for
the pictures as well its good to see everyone :) I will make an
appointment with the doctor probably next month and get my blood work
done again and see where I am at and Health wise I am doing great :) I
am also very happy and doing great and having a lot of fun and still
learning a lot. I have made it my goal to read the book of proverbs
this week and I am already half way done haha. I hope all is well with
you at home and that you guys are happy. I always pray for you guys
morning and night:) Have a great week and enjoy every minute of it
for life is a journey not a race ;)

A NEW PLAN HAS BEEN DEVISED

Things are going good here. We are just having to work very hard to find new investigators and its hard because we are not allowed to tract and contacting is rough because most everyone we talk to does not live in the city but the missionaries around our area love us for all the referrals haha. We have now devised a new plan to find new investigators though that will be both effective and easy :) We are setting up a booth in a park with a big poster that our mission has about the Book of Mormon and the Bible showing a picture of both. So we figure if we can find people who are interested ion the Book of Mormon then they will probably be interested in the Restoration :) Anyway my comp and I are giving up our P-day today to go set it up in a park and let the people come to us (I will take pictures there).
The Lord continues to show me my weaknesses, I never thought I could have so many haha that's pride for ya. But in my study today the familiar scripture came to me in Ether 12:27,37 and that brought some light of what I need to do. Weaknesses are given to us to humble us and cause us to depend upon the Lord and his merits and mercy and that is something I have been failing to do lately. I got too comfortable and thought I was doing everything that I should be doing but I realized after a powerful talk given by Elder Cook of the Seventy on Sunday that I was not following the spirit even though I thought I was but I happy to now say I am in the process of becoming fully dependent upon the Savior and his power. Life is good though and I am loving what I am learning and loving discovering what I need to learn more of. Elder Rakoto is great and a lot of fun. We work very good together and he is a great support to me when I get stuck in a rut. He knows the New Testament like nobodies business but he will always deny it so we made a deal that each comp study we would come up with a topic or principle and then we would have to give each other two scriptures that we know I give him from the Book of Mormon and he gives me from the Bible. We are becoming master Scriptorium haha (or so we think). Always smile :) I love you to the moon and back.

I need to remember is not a race, its a journey

Oh how I miss eating Chilidogs and watching the "best two years" every Sunday haha those are some good memories. ? Family is the greatest blessing that our Father in Heaven has given us, we can have the greatest joys together but we can also bear each other up better than anyone else can. I really miss my family I miss all of you but I know I am where I need to be and am doing the most good here. I officially have one year left before I come home. That is crazy to think about, I have been in Africa for a year now. Okay time for the Long awaited update. I am now serving in the City of Johannesburg also known as Jozzi Central :) My new companion is Elder Rakotondramanana, also known as Elder Rakoto, he is from Madagascar. The work is progressing slow but sure. We are having to rebuild our area but a challenge is always fun. The ward is big and are chapel is the second oldest LDS Chapel in South Africa. The city is crazy and as you could imagine is very dangerous and we are not allowed to tract or walk in certain streets. The city is very very wicked for the lack of a better term. I will have no problem walking anywhere in Portland After serving here. The members are very kind and fun, the return missionaries are helping a lot as well which is something that has never been the case in any of my areas. We are working very hard to find new investigators and to build our relationship with the members to gain their trust. We watched general conference this last week end and it was amazing! Its amazing how the Lord can speak to us so perfectly through His servants. President Monson never ceases to amaze me and make me laugh. I really enjoyed his talk on service and feel even more compelled to go out and help all I can through the gospel. I have a lot to learn still but I feel very grateful to have such great leaders to teach me what I need to become.

Time is flying by and I feel there is still so much I need to accomplish but I need to remember is not a race, its a journey and I need to enjoy it and use the time given to the best of my ability. Love you mom and know that you and everyone else is in my prayers :)

My new Companion is Elder Rakotondramanana

I am so happy that Grandma got that letter. I felt so impressed I needed to write her and I am glad that it did some good. I can't believe Caity is considering going on a mission! When she does go she is in for the spiritual awaking of a a life time haha. I am now in my new area and things are going great. My new Companion is Elder Rakotondramanana or Elder Rakoto for short. He is from Madagascar and is awesome. He learned how to speak English in six months and is just a fun guy to be around. I am now in the City of Johannesburg also known as Jozzi Central to the mission. Church was awesome on Sunday and we will be watching conference this week end. We get conference a week later here but everyone was talking about the change in the mission age at church. I am very excited for that and couldn't help but laugh a little because I had wanted to go when I was 18.

Elder Holland is coming to South Africa this month and he will be addressing our mission on the 25th. I am very excited to hear and meet him. Things are good though and I am loving being here in Johannesburg. There is plenty of work to be done and we are having fun while doing it :) Thank you so much for all of your love and support, I know I would not be here if it weren't for you :) I hope you have a great week and enjoy every minute of everyday. I am really so grateful to be serving in South Africa right now and I hope I can serve as the Lord would have me. I almost cried when you told me Grandma's response to my letter. I cant but feel closest to my Father in Heaven when I am able to lift someones day especially someone in my family. I love you so much mom and know that you guys are in my prayers everyday.