Week 2...or Maybe It's 3

Well, I guess the first thing to say here is that I’m doing rather well, unless you relate the amount of pictures I send directly to how I’m doing because I’ve only got one (he actually sent two) this week.

This is Elder Collier next to Emma, the Cardboard Girlfriend (In the process of trademarking) I really don’t know why this picture is a thing.

This is Elder Suapaia? I in the hammock I recently rediscovered last night. It’s also rather comfortable to sleep in.

This last Tuesday, we had a devotional with Elder Gary E Stevenson, and he talked a lot about how missionary work has changed. He also said something that I think would be good to hear. Obedience bring blessings. Blessings bring happiness. As a group we’ve been trying to work on that, specifically going to bed on time.

Time to confess something, it’s not always easy to get along with everyone here. They all have their quirks, good and bad. Part of the problem is that I have discovered that past around 9i:00i sh, I prefer things to settle down a bit, but not everyone’s all about that, but hey, it’s a work in progress. The past week or so, I’ve been trying to work on the Christlike attribute of patience, because somehow, I’m the most tightly wound over here. 

           (As a Mom, I worried a little bit about this last paragraph...so I ask him on his scale of 1 to 7 

            where he was at.  This was his response:)

"I'd say a solid 6.3"

And yes, we have access to a tablet here at the MTC, but in the field, it’s not a device mission.

Also, recent news we got from someone is that a brand new Elder was sent to
Ra(m)bi Island., Brother Trevort's famous island, straight out of the mission home, and they
only get to email every 3 weeks.  It would be pretty cool to go there, but if I never end up over there,
it’s all right because I’ll be where the Lord wants me to be.

Also, super fast thought, read Jesus the Christ by Elder Talmage. :)

Au lomani kemudou

Elder Roylance

This is a bonus picture from one of the other Moms... If you look close you can find Justin somewhere in that tiny room.  :)

Hey all,

Just checking out for the day with a pretty cool experience.

So today, we did this thing referred to as trc’s, where we teach

someone a 20 minute lesson. So because me and Elder Collier are both

“master” procrastinators, we didn’t really start preparing till about

2 hours before.

So, we are in the lesson, and we’re both tripping over words, right.

Aside from that, it was going well from my view at least. Afterwards

though, is when the real experience for me happened. I realized that

there were some words I said that I couldn’t have known or remembered.

When the person we were teaching spoke though, I was able to

understand part of what he was saying, not near all, but part.

It wasn’t really until now that I feel I had a real, tangible

experience with the Holy Ghost helping me with the language. Yes,

without it, I wouldn’t be where I am now, but it felt like a more

passive thing, not an active thing. I then remembered the scripture I

asked to be put on my plaque, Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded thee?

Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou

dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

I don’t know if my companion, or the person we were teaching felt the

spirit, bit I know I sure did.

Au lomani kemudou

(I also wanted to include Sean's response to Justin's Letter today.  Some things you can only learn by serving as a Missionary, and I'm so grateful Sean did.)

Hey Justin,

Your emails are amazing!  Thanks!

First, as you’ve seen, I don’t email that much.  Second, if you don’t do a lengthy email every week, don’t worry about it.

It’s great to read that you get to hear from Elder Stevenson and others.  Those are some amazing opportunities.  I remember how powerful it was when I was in the MTC and was able to listen to apostles and/or other general authorities every week in the MTC.  That was a great time.

Your MTC experience is sounding a lot like mine.  When I got there (and out in the field), I was ready to work.  Lots of others goofed around a bit.  In hindsight, it was a real opportunity to learn to find that balance between working hard myself, setting a good example, offering encouragement to others, and also being patient with others when they weren’t quite ready to be as diligent or as obedient as they could be.  Good luck with that.

The hammock picture looks great--that looks like it might be a wonderful way to sleep for a couple of years. 😊

Love,

Dad