We're having a great time though.
THe
work over here is a TON different from america and everything we do has
to go thorugh like a Samoan islands filter... Its hard to explain but
like its mostly because of the culture. You know how the lamanites are
just under the sin blanket of the traditions of their fathers? Well
thats basically exactly how Samoa is and as an Elder over here we've
just gotta wade thorugh it. Elder Sewell and I and even every
companionship we've talked about how nice it would be to serve in
america where the ward does this, and the people do this, and the bishop
does that, etc... But really we just have to wade thorugh the spiritual
high and lows of Samoa. Its pretty flipping weird at times to be honest
and a lot of times I don't feel like a missionary should but then I
just think back to all the really lame times for the BOM Elders and I
just say hey! I did that smae thing! :) SO the work is a rollercoaster
and the weirdest part/coolest part is how There is no such thing as
Aethiest. Everyone who lives in Samoa knows and lives by one God. THe
problem is is that the Religion and Culture are so intertwined that
members think cultural things are still supported by the church but they
aren't so it causes issues. anyways though the coolest part is that
because everyone is Christian everyone is welcome to us and all are open
to baptism. ITs really a big problem though because baprtism is just a
thing you do so that you're allowed to go that church when you're here
in Samoa its not a life altering hting. The biggest struggle of my
mission is trying to discern who is a real convert because the Samoans
and their culture just keep me guessing. So yeah thats the work. I love
it! :) I just wish it was less confusing but it keeps me humble too. :)
Sewell
is great! He's a hilarious little turd! I really enjoy the way we do
things but above all what I like about him is He's bold. Thats what I
realized this week finally. He's a bold little sucker and doesn't give a
care in the world about it. The gospel is the gospel the doctrine is
the doctrine and there is one way to heaven, saving ordinances so we'll
lay it out really simply for you and all you ahve to do is ust keep
stepping. Hes super blunt. I just wish he was fluent already so that in
lessons he could just be as bold as he is with me while doing role
plays. :) I love this Elder! I assume Gods lesson to me through this
comapnion is at least that. Kimball was change, Redd was Be humble, And
Afuvai was love with understanding, so now that I've gotten all soft and
mushy God needs me to get some more fire like abinadi. Of course it
took me this long into this area to realize it though even thoguyh in
the day of my trio with Fifita and Tautuaa the day before I got sewell
God told me to be like Abinadi in this area. Or maybe he just was
telling me that I was going to get an Abinadi to train... Either way I
love Elder Sewell and I'm just praying that as we take on the first 3
months of his mission I do it the way that God wants me to and we both
learn what He needs us to.
I don't remember who elder Cuter is but I hope you don't mean Elder Redd because He's not done!?!?!?
All
those random Samoans are people I tell about you. One is the daughter
of the BIshops counselor, and another is one of our investigators who
wants to remember us and keep in touch after the mission. I'd just give
them my name to look up on facebook but there are a million Robert
Joness on Facebook but only 1 Leilani Steele Jones so its true when I
say your the best because you're literally 1 in like 7 billion people on
Facebook. So please just accept them and then ask them this question;
"E te silafia Elder Jones? O a`u o lona tina Leilani." Then just send
them to your friends list to friend me so when I get home I can keep in
touch with all these people through Facebook. I will miss them so many!
Pretty pretty please.
ANywho I love ya a ton! HAve a great week and be safe out there in record heat! :) I love you guys! Especially mom
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