Happy Thanksgiving from Samoa

My companion is pretty cool he comes from laulii upolu and tapueleele savaii and he just so happens to have a lot family and friends in our area so its easy for us to get to know families that we've never been to before. He's a really good people person and thankfully hes super patient with my Samoan abilities because I can speak I just feel like I'm at a stall even though I know I'm not I just wish language progress was going faster. We're doing great though, he just wants to be exactly obedient which he struggles with at times but Hes open about it and wants help so we're getting him there and he's helping me to see a lot hings I can fix. :) I'm doing fine. I'm just super stoked I'm only a handful of days away from my year mark. I never thought I'd get to this day. But all the stuff missionaries say is true. at 6 months you think okay its possible to do this, 1 year you realize that having to go back is a thing like it will actually happen some day its not just a dream, and then 6 months left you can do pretty much anything you want to language wise, you know the lessons the rules, etc... the sky is the limit. Its all so true so far. Also the last 6 months just fly by I guess. ;) All I know is that right now I do not want to go home. I just want to stay here in Samoa forever because there is way too much craziness going on in the world. The Samoan people are always bringing up this and that about whats going on in America and someone even told me there's about to be war or something... I never know what to believe but man what the BOM says is so true about all the calamity and junk like that. Being on Gods Errand is just so peaceful, and so full of Joy. Little to no worries just that I'll have enough time to get all the visits in I need to or do enough studies, or get this report or lesson prepared. Its so nice. But what I hear about on the outside is just terrifying. But that's basically me. I'm striving to be more patient with the language hoping that I'll be fluent sometime soon, coming out of the clouds and realizing that I'm on a very short timer till I have to go an live on my home again in the dark and dreary world, just taking things day by day and staying happy. I still miss Vest And Ligaliga. I never thought I've have a favorite companion or companionship but it was definitely those two punks. I can't wait to spend more time with them after the mission. Especially Vest. :) But yeah that's me, how things are and what not. I'm just living the dream on an island full of the most respectful and happiest people on earth. :)

I don't know If I told you this but I have a solo to sing for the missions Christmas program that goes on for all of Samoa... It'll be cool but I just don't want to worry about that to be honest. I haven't been taking any time to practice because of all the work to be done. I'm stoked about it though it'll be a great memory! 

 

Just this member guy that we visited because all our other plans fell through. I'd never visited the family everyone else we went to was busy or gone and then I remembered this family giving us money to go buy our dinner with because they couldn't provide for that night. So On Thursday we went over there and just started to chat and get to know them not thinking much of it hoping to get some referrals for that area and then the man his name is Tui asks, "how long does it take to do lessons?" We told him about 2 ish weeks and then he said I'd like to do mine maybe. I asked why because I assumed he was already a member and then he said he's not baptized so he just wants to be taught then if it feels right he'll be baptized. I was so shocked. Especially because I think in that moment we talked him into being baptized on the 24th of December.  He was a miracle for this week. I had just prayed for some people who were prepared the night before because we had dropped a couple old investigators this week and then bam he shows up. I'm stoked. I'm sure there will be more people guided to us. He says he never talks with the missionaries just his wife and kids but then that day it was just him and his daughter so he decided to stay and talk. Boom. I was amazed. thats how the work should be everytime. :) 

 

Well thanks for all the calming of my little fears that aren't really real fears. It sure helps a ton. ;) I'll be doing lots of singing when I get home and mostly in Samoan okay? ;) But hey I gotta go, I love you tons be sure to send my love to everyone. Have  a great week .