Once More

The cake looks yummy.  Who made it for you?

I did. I used the stuff you sent me. Unfortunately, I don't know how to frost, so the cake was a big mess. Oh well, looks aren't as important as taste. :P

 

What are the springs like over there?

Hot. When it rains, the streets are covered in wet flower pedals, making a great slipping hazard. :P

Did you have a baptism this week for Arthur?

Yes! :D

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It seems that my time here has come to its end as I'm transferred once more. This time was faster than usual, but I'm glad I finished on a high note. This week was challenging, but rewarding, and certainly different than the usual. 

For one, I had to renew my visa this week. The laws are interesting here, because officially, I can stay here as long as my visa application is being suspended. But, as soon as it is accepted, I need to report to the police or I'll be ex-pulsed from the country. :) Oh well, I have nothing to complain about, as this years photo is one of the only good photos of my lifetime. Que bom. As well, I began making chocolate chip cookies for everyone (I finally achieved the right recipe!) and they all want the recipe. I'm thinking I should start doing street contacts this way. Just start handing out cookies in exchange for addresses. :P I doubt it'll work but it doesn't hurt to try. 

But what was best about this week? For one, we helped one more soul enter the waters of baptism, Arthur. This whole week he was excited and asking about how the baptism will be. When the day finally came, you could see the smile on his face. (Unfortunately he doesn't smile for photos ;P) We also had the opportunity to help out his nephew, Israel. We had talked to him a few weeks back, but he didn't seem interested in our message, but last week, he approached us saying that he'd dreamed about my companion, and that he knew he'd be responsible for helping him change his life for the better. Israel is a young man, and although he is doing the usual wrong things that college kids do, he recognizes it and wants to find an escape. He went to his uncle's baptism and is really excited to follow suit.

This goes to show that God is preparing people to hear and follow his restored gospel. Another example is that of one strange but really cool family. Pafum (nickname) and his family have known the church for quite some time. Their kids, in fact, have already been baptized, but are inactive. In the past, the father had really powerful addictions to drugs and alcohol, but the whole family decided to move from the big city to help him change. Ever since then, the family has been working together to help him quit, and today, although he still has a few problems, the whole family is united and he has abandoned almost everything. When we arrived, the only thing they lacked that they wanted to know, was where God fit in with all this. With each visit, we are helping them understand all that God did for them, and step by step, helping them magnify every little bit of happiness they can get.

That's about all for now. So... until next week/area!

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

Pelúcia (peh-LOO-see-uh) Meaning Teddy Bear. You have no idea how much time I was looking for this word. I learned it this week. :P

Photos:

-Baptism of Arthur

-Last photo of Father and Son (our house in the background)