Wow, what a successful week!
This
past week has been great! So many great things have been happening out
here and the hand of God has really been showing in the missionary work.
Everything is getting better and seeming more natural. It has been so
great and I'm so grateful for all of the blessings I have received out
here. The knowledge that I have gained of myself and the gospel is a
huge blessing. I felt like I have already grown a lot and made a huge
step in the direction of where I hope to be at the end of my mission and
when I am home. Well, this week started off with PDay and family night
at the Wekkins on Monday. We had our Investigator Lilliana over there
for family night because Zr. Wekking is the lady who helps us teach her
in Spanish. This was so fun and a great experience. Tuesday, We had Zone
Training. Gosh, I learned so much and I was opened up to so many things
that I can do better. I will for sure change some things and make some
goals! We went out to eat dinner with Dhana later that night and I had a
great tasting salmon at a very fancy restaurant. Wednesday, we taught a
lesson to a new investigator and man, does this guy smoke a lot. Holy
cow! 3 cigerettes in 45 minutes. Disgusting. He said he has heard about
"Brian Young" before so he wanted to learn more. He said he will have
the Book of Mormon read in a week so we will meet with him tomorrow
hopefully. We then went and did a look up far away with an old
investigator. He invited us in and was so pumped to see us. He speaks
great english and wanted to speak it so we did. He loves the church and
knows a lot about it. He initially started to talk to the missionaries a
year ago because he is a Free Mason and heard that Joseph Smith was the
highest ranking you can possibly be in Free Masonry. So funny. Gosh I
have learned a lot about that idealogy. Very interesting.... Lol. We had
a dinner appointment with Bishop that night and his family. They all
wish they were american because they see us and love us. I was talking
all night about how much I love Justin Beiber and about area 51 and
9/11. It was fun and we had a blast. Thursday, we had a lesson with a
very, very cool guy from Fiji. Big old polynesian guy. Soooo amazingly
nice. He wants to be baptized and said in Fiji, he lives next to mormons
and he remembers the temple. So cool. He has a beutiful family back
home! Then we had a lesson with Lilliana, and did some finding. We found
3 new potential investigators which is really great! Friday, we went
and taught the plan of salvation to Luis. He is our new favorite
investigator from Angola. So cool. He loves praying in Portuguese and
loves that my parents both speak it! So cool. We also had to do weekly
planning and then went to a ward christmas kickoff fireside. This was
great! Saturday, We did some look ups, and went to Esthers. During the
day, we were supposed to have a lesson with Dofu. We got to his door,
but he opened it and was on his way out. He explained to us that he got a
call from his mom and his parents are getting a divorce so he was on
his way to his parents home. I wanted to honestly cry. Before he walked
away, his lips were quivering and eyes watering. Such a tender moment. I
dont know him that well, but he is a big black 24 year old who looks
like Ziggy. So cool. Sunday, we had church and it was great. Then we
went to dinner at a members and I had to say goodbye. This was hard even
though I dont know her that well!
Well, I found out that next transfer I will be serving in Zaandaam
with Elder Yocom. He is my best friend from high school and we came here
on the same day. I honestly cannot believe that it is happening,
especially so early in the mission and over Christmas. I'm so grateful
and I see this as a huge blessing. I will work harder this next transfer
than ever before and become better than I expected to be after 3rd
transfer. This is going to be so great. It is sad to be leaving my baby
city, especially with having the best numbers in the mission. It has
been so great, but man, am I excited to serve with Yoc Daddy. This past
week, Elder Alston and I were able to teach 8 lessons which is
incredible here, and get 4 new investigators. We have 6 baptismal
challenges accepted. Elder Alston is staying here and going District
Leader. He will also Train again and help another missionary love their
mission. I'm grateful for Alston and really appreciate what he has
taught me. We have become such close friends and he is someone I will
always look up to!
Well, I hope you all have a great week. Please keep those emails coming! Love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Elkins
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