December 26, 2011

Hey mom, bet you didn't think I'd email today. I didn't think so either because a guy took us out to one of the outer ring islands today and we were there all day. The pictures are really cool. It was just nice and relaxing. I'm sorry this will be real short because my companion is waiting on me. I'm just so happy we got to talk yesterday and I know it will be like ten times better in person. I'll keep you informed for the memory cards and pictures. Just real quick- I don't let this distract me but I am realizing when I get back I have to get some stuff organized. School, job, phone, etc. I don't know how any of that is going to work. I'll probably buy an i-phone and school is March 1st? Where will i work? I dunno, It's crossed my mind a bit. I guess we'll see. K Sorry this is short. Thanks for the call yesterday. I'll talk to you next week. Elder Oldroyd

December 19, 2011

Well here I am. Just hanging out. I think we're going to ride our bikes around the whole island today. I think it's smaller than Rururtu actually. But there are a lot of people here. I think it's the most since my first sector. And yes there are tons of tourists. I've talked to a couple. Have fun with Christmas. We were talking about Christmas traditions the other day and I realized that I really prefer Christmas at home. Whatever. It'll work out. Christmas I'll just call you when I can. Don't wait around too much. I'll for sure be calling in the afternoon here (between like 1:00 or 3:00) so that will be four hours different from your time. Good? We'll see. If I don't get a call I'll just call anyways Christmas and we'll try and figure it out. Anyways, this week wasn't all that interesting. We did a lot of looking and not a lot of finding. People just didn't wanna hear it this week. There was good news though. Finally I got my stuff and a much needed piece for my bike. The whole week rode my bike around with the seat all the way down and it was retarded. The other good thing happened yesterday. After all of our searching two people called us over and asked us about family search. We explained it and why we do it and then asked them to take the lessons. Everyone the whole week had said no but they said yes. So we taught them the first lesson right there on the side of the road and they totally accepted it. So that's about it. This is going to be a tough week for the work but I'm sure we'll be fine. Then once January comes the work should get a lot easier. It's weird to think about but the end is quickly coming. It's going to be a fight till the finish though. Okay see you Sunday! Thanks for everything. Enjoy being home and pray for snow. Also if you guys ever see Davey give him a big German hello for me. Talk to you soon!

December 13, 2011

                                                         The Bora Bora Airport Runway

Hello from yesterday. Today president told us we could have a kind of half P-day since yesterday we were on Tahiti. I'll try and be brief. I got here Wednesday with no problems at all. A french lady sat next to e and I guess her job is to go stay at different hotels around the world. That is so cool! I don't think she felt the same way about the gospel.. I was absolutely shocked when I got off the plane. It was quite a site. I saw the other guy off whilst my companion and the other two guys were waiting for me. We took the boat to the main island and it was so beautiful with the sun setting and everything. We got to work the next day and I really like the sector. There's not a whole ton of investigators because it just got split. But we have been handling it pretty well. Me and my companion get along great. He's not crazy like his brother at all. We're pretty tight. The other two guys are Elders Neimela and Mulford. We live in the same house between our sectors and it's pretty cool. Except for every one's sick with the cold I'm getting over. Otherwise, we went back down to Tahiti Sunday morning in order to sing that night. I've never seen more people in my life. The thing was too full and members had to give up their seats for investigators that came because there were so many. We absolutely killed it singing too. People were in tears. The spirit was rockin it there. We all ate and slept by the temple together that night. The next day we had our big P-day all together then ate Turkey. How random, turkey. Later on at the airport I saw my companions parents. They were totally cool and kind of apologized for their son's behavior. I told them it was totally cool. I feel like that whole thing is finally over now since I now know his family.. Anyways, now we're back and I'm excited to go out and work. Wish me luck. I'll talk to you next week and then on Christmas. I'll try and tell you guys when I'll call. Time is going by so fast I can't believe it. See you next week.

December 5, 2011

Family, I am being transferred tomorrow to Bora Bora. That's about as cool as it gets for the last two months. I take the plane tomorrow afternoon. Mo is transferred too. He'll go to Tiperui. So our poor sector will have two new guys - Elder Coulson and the Elder he'll be training. It's the same deal at Taravo. Both Elder Bell and his companion are being transferred. Bell's going to Tahaa. It's a weird transfer but I won't fight it. I'm just so stoked to no longer be with my companion and to go somewhere where I can just work normally and have fun on P-days. It's kinda weird though because I'm going to serve with the brother of that guy who freaked out and hit me. He seems like a nice and not crazy version of his brother. Plus two other missionaries are coming with us. It'll be a riot. This week was like any other. It was really hard to get out and work. As usual our companions just did their thing. Then Hamula came and we all slept in the motel next to the temple. It was sweet. Saturday we had two meeting with him and they were both a lot like the others. Just these life changing, question answering spiritual bombs. Yesterday I got to go and see a bunch of people to say goodbye. I certainly couldn't see them all but I was really happy to see those who I did see. We also had a miracle happen. We were low on gas and because my companion refused to stay in the sector and see people, he wanted to go to Taravo. Okay, whatever. Anyways, while we were going I realized we were almost out of gas but it was Sunday... So my companion gave me a whole speech with a somewhat loud and angry voice about why I should go fill up the car. He told me I was really stupid for thinking it was a bad idea to go on a Sunday. I ignored him and prayed that we wouldn't even get on reserve. Afterwords me and Bell went out to see some people and the very first family we saw (the Tehaavi's) offered us gas.. We took it! They filled us up quite a bit saying that they were the answer to my prayer. I dunno.. Little random miracle. I was so happy. Also we did a baptism for that old grandpa on Saturday. My companion didn't want to come. But it got done anyways. He was really super old and slow moving. I baptised him and despite all the difficulties it worked out. He was so stoked to get baptised. Well that's about it for this week. Finally the nightmare is over. Elder Mo is gone. I'm just going to go kill it out there in Bora. There's lots of work to be done. I'll tell you all how it goes next week. I'll be here on Tahiti actually because we are doing our big singing project. So I'm going, coming back, and going again. Cool stuff. Wish me luck. Also I did get all three packages. Now I just need to stuff them all in my suitcases and send them to Bora. Thanks for everything.

November 28, 2011

I am sorry to say that this week was not a very good one for the work. NOTHING gets done here. It reminds me of being with my friends before the mission. Everyone has to be together. No one wants to be "alone" in their sectors. It was just a big hangout. Any excuse to do so and we were off. I'm pretty close to giving up on my companion. Now that I push less we get along better. The work is pretty much the same though. Cool things did happen though. We had a district thanksgiving with our meeting on Friday. I never thought we could find all the ingredients here but we did. Turkey, real mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, and dessert after. That was super fun. Then Saturday president came to our sector to do a baptismal interview for a really old grandpa we taught. The poor old guy has a really hard time understanding but he really wants to get baptised. So we called in the big dog. President did the interview whilst us and the grandma laughed when we heard president trying to yell the baptismal questions to an old man that just didn't get it. I don't think he answered correctly to any of the questions but president let him pass without any question. Even after he prayed to God Jehovah in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of the Holy Ghost amen. I guess it's all good though. That's about all that has happened. I'm sorry I don't have anything great to tell you guys for the moment. Maybe next time I will because tomorrow the transfers will be announced for the next week and Elder Hamula is coming. Maybe he'll save me. For now I'm just trying to hang in there and not give up. Also I did get those packages. But I can't freaking open them yet! Hah it's cool though. I opened Tally and Taylor's and it was great. Welp, I'll see you next time.

November 21, 2011

Things have been more nuts than ever. Our zone has calmed down at least a little bit after last week's threatenings and stuff. This week it was limited to a few sleepovers. But my companion and I get along a lot better. He even wanted to work yesterday. This could be the start of something great. I didn't even drag him around. I think his attitude is changing, it's just a really slow change. I heard him talking the other night and he said it's really because he is in his stake. I know before he did a lot of dumb stuff but at least he worked and stayed with his companion. I've heard from a few higher sources that he will be transferred. So I may be here for a really long time. It's okay though. We are working really hard with the ward leaders right now to have a serious amount of baptisms before the end of the year. There's only one guy from my district that's not really up to par but he's not in anything too serious. I won't give you details but some stuff has been happening for a while now in this mission that's much worse than what happens in my zone. I think finally something will be done. Elder Hamula is coming in a couple weeks too. Maybe things will get better before I leave. Don't try asking me what the stuff is cause I won't tell. It's a little rough on the old testimony. Anyways, this week we had our zone conference. We also got our personel DVD players. Babylon just got swords. Saturday we did our last reactivation thing for the year. We had a whole bunch of people show us and we just killed it. I went with these two guys and we were guided by the spirit for everything. I loved it. I wish I could always have that same spirit. Sunday tons of innactives and nonmembers came to church. We were all so happy. Success. The members invited nine people to take the lessons that day. Go Vairao! That night I gave a little presentation to all the ward mission leaders and ward missionaries with the help of one of the stake presidency councelers and a member of the high council. MY bishop decided we can double the stakes goal for baptisms this year. The goal was twelve and we're at sixteen. Now we're going for 24. It's so cool to work with them. Today we sang early in the morning as usual and I learned something interesting from our president - the international shipping liners are going on stike so there will be no more imports to Tahiti for a while. So we have to make food reserves and stuff before the stores run out of food. We'll see what happens. They're not officially on strike yet but it's coming. So yeah that's about everything. I realized the other day that I have just about the same time left on my mission as I had time in the MTC. Time is flying by. I just have to stay strong untill the end. I'll just keep fighting evil. Wish me luck. Also enjoy Thanksgiving. We're going to try and do one either as a zone of as a district as our district meeting. That's one thing I can support. Thanks for the email. I'll see you next week. Love y'all

November 14, 2011

Anyways here I am again. My life is one eternal round. We had our big meeting with president on Thursday where he challenged us to more than double our baptisms next year. This year was a record year but he wants to go wayyyyyyyyyy higher. I honestly think it's possible but not at the rate things are going right now. We are in the heart of Babylon! I've tried talking to my companion and that's not working either. He told me as soon as I am no longer here to slow him down he's going full out against the rules. He almost punched me in the face the other night in the car but rather he bruised his hand hitting the roof while swearing at me. He apologized after and promised he'd never touch me and I believe him. But come on. He was mad because he didn't hear me earlier that day when I told him president wanted him to call him. President showed up randomly and saw me and Bell sitting their at their house without companions, bikes or phones. I'm happy despite all this madness going on around me things are good. The best thing that happened this week was our welfare missionary thing where we did a little free car wash for random people that came by. We didn't have a lot but at least some people came. The problem was that most of our zone with my companion left because "it was stupid" so no one talked to these random people. I think it still had an effect on them. Also on an even brighter note- Elder Hamula is coming again. I guess we have some other great meeting with him on the third. I'm stoked. He's such a cool guy. Also your guy's vacation sounds totally awesome. I would love to go there sometime. Only in reading Jesus the Christ did I realize that the apostles and church literally covered the entire eastern Hemisphere. Have an awesome vacation. Tell Andrew what up for me if you see him. That's so cool. I'll talk to you next week.

November 7, 2011

This week has been interesting. For Halloween me and Elder Baldridge bought candy at the the Tahitian equivalent of Walmart and gave it to each other.That night our companions took the reins and had us have a little party in Taravo. We let it slide because at least everyone was unified.... in sin! It was just between missionaries so it was alright; no one did anything too stupid. The zone unity was at an all time high. We sang and played family night games and then we made dinner together and stayed up talking.Tuesday we finally committed one of our investigators to baptism and we have many more waiting. Then another split began. Despite the direct orders of president (who was is Australia) Elder Bell's companion begged us to do another split because he was sick and it was concerning "his salvation" whatever that means. So I spent a couple days in Taravo with Elder Bell again. He has a death threat from another missionary so it was a weird couple of days. Saturday we had a mix of miracles and confusion. Lakina, who we baptised a couple weeks ago, needed us to come over and teach him how to baptise because he was going to baptise his wife later that day. Surprise! She's an excommunicated member who we taught for quite some time and no one decided to tell us she was going to be baptised... We he baptised her and it was awesome. There was almost no one there and almost no water in the thing but we got it worked out. Also I did two sketchy baptismal interviews the weekend. One for a kid who wasn't prepared at all. And the other for a lady that had broken every commandment in the book. It worked out though. Finally today after our singing thing president wanted to see me, my companion, and many others in interviews. He chose me out of everyone to go first and asked me a ton of questions. I feel like he knows something that I don't. He just asks all these questions and he never seems satisfied with my short one or two word answers. It worked out though. I think he got whatever he was looking for. When I got out everyone was at a table and they said it was my second interview. They only had one question- what did he say? The only thing I learned from that interview was that he probably doesn't hate me anymore and that he has no idea when and where I'll be transferred. Also he doesn't trust my companion anymore. My companion is great when I am with him but whenever he does splits he goes a little wild. I guess they watched Saw last week with an investigator. Whatever. Well that's about it for this crazy week. I guess my Halloween is just starting. Omer is in Vairao. I don't know why. I don't know where. But he's here. So help me. Also I can't believe it but after this week I only have three months left. Weird. I'll try not to think about it though. I'm more concentrated on the chaos all around me. The missions pretty cool.

October 31, 2011

Me and my companion are back together and just killing it in Vairao. Plus he even drives better now because a lot of members were kind of freaking. I guess the Lord just waited until I honestly couldn't take it anymore. He had armies just waiting and on his command they all came. So the mission is great. A painting wouldn't look very good if it was only bright colors. The dark colors are what give it contrast. Anyways this week one of our eternal investigators gave us a golden investigator. She's got a lot of questions but she listens really well and takes notes. We did the first lesson and she was totally convinced. We asked her to pray as well. The next day she called us and said she wanted a lesson immediately, we couldn't so we planned the next day. After a few minutes I asked if she had prayed and she was like "well yeah, otherwise I wouldn't have come back". My bad, I guess the spirit totally rocked her world. We've now taught her three times. Vairao is still the best. We lead the stake in baptisms. It's hard work but it totally pays off. I'm going to finish here strong but I think I'll be transferred pretty soon here. That'll be weird to be in my last sector. I hope your prayers are answered mom. The gift of tongues one is sure working. I feel great in French and pretty confident in Tahitian, especially for gospel stuff. Well that about does it for this Halloween afternoon. The work keeps on moving. I can't believe it's November tomorrow. I also can't believe the awesome trip your going on. And I really can't believe I'm only finishing with Redding, on the tenth! President always wanted to separate us all... And I thought a lot of Dad today because me and Baldridge after waking up at like four this morning went to a Porsche dealership in town. Anyways have a fun trip. I'll talk to you next month. Thanks for your support, I'll be sure to not let up.

October 24, 2011

This week I seriously was almost always in Taravo with Elder Bell instead of in my sector. I guess they had an argument? So I had to do something for an open house. They promised they would come get us multiple times, but they never did so I was stuck in the same clothes for days. All I had was my scriptures and the clothes on my back. I also had to write a 15 minute talk to give in one of their wards cause his companion didn't want to come back to give his talk. He never even called to say he'd just leave me there. So yeah, my zone has fallen apart. Things should get better though. It's been kind of fun. Since Bells companion left the lock on his bike we have been walking really far and getting picked up by random members. It's an adventure for sure. It's all a part of the experience I guess.

October 17, 2011

Almost half the zone is changing but I'm not. It's okay. The sector is doing great. We've finally gotten some new people and the others are really progressing. We're working really hard to get the members in action. Without members the work is almost helpless. You should invite the missionaries to come eat sometime. They need it. Not so much for the food but they need you guys. Well the most exciting things happening right now are our lessons with Mohau who is an inactive, handicapped by the devil guy who we blessed. Now we teach him and his protestant wife and an old grandma who only speaks the purist form of Tahitian there is. Also I went on a split to Taravo the other day with Elder Bell and a 19 year old kid preparing to go on a mission. It was cool. Also yesterday the spirit guided us to a few random people that we wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Finally this morning we woke up really early and went to the very center of town to sing. Twice a week from now until Christmas we'll be doing that for two hours each time. I'm not too excited about the training process but the end results will be amazing. I'll keep you informed on that. And finally the best part of it all. I have found what I was waiting for since my first day on my mission. I found the one thing I was supposed to do here. It was my first ever contact way back in Papeari. I contacted him, he started with us, got baptised about a month after I left, and now he has gone to the temple and he is sealed with his family. I see now why I have been in the zone so much. I have seen him progress. Yeah God, Abner and he told me the same thing. So I feel good. I'll keep at it anyways. So yeah, there you go.

October 10, 2011

This weekend we had two baptisms. I got to perform both of them. The guy Friday is named Mikaele Lakina. His wife was excommunicated and her baptism will be soon. It was so awesome, we ate a pig after to celebrate. Saturday it was a kid named Manumea. He is the bomb. He has five names though and it threw me off. Later that night we were at a meeting and right during the spiritual thought a guy came pretty much into the room on his scooter asking bishop to save him. Bishop went out and then we heard someone swearing and yelling in Tahitian so we went out too. So yeah three big guys came to kill two little guys. The three were inactive members. They were pretty angry. It was cool, the cops showed up and one of the cops was their dad. They had this huge argument and the scooter got partially stolen. I'll have to tell you when I get home. It's too complicated. Our church is famous now..

October 3, 2011

This week Elder Bell and I were having an awesome time. We did a lot of great work. We did some contacting and the people did some gentle rejecting. But we had some success anyways. One family, before we even had the chance to talk invited us in to eat. They poured us a couple bowls of coffee. Thanks but no thanks. Then they served us two huge plates of food despite us telling them that we were literally on our way to eat. It was cool. After I asked if we could have a moment and I was able to testify to this whole family about the church with the help of my companion. They accepted it. Cool stuff.  We did some good work and that's the most important.  I'll give it one last go before I get transferred (normally at the end of this month). Pray that I go off to some really cool island and that I don't have to suffer in the city. It can happen. Have a good week. I'll talk to you next time when I'll only have 4 months left. Weird. Time's really moving now. And conference was awesome, but my fourth and last one of my mission. Okay I'll end there. Next week I'll tell you what happens. See ya

September 26, 2011

We had a great week this week. We taught quite a few lessons. One of our investigators just moved into the Vairao Mayor's yard. It was a cool lesson. He's getting baptised the eighth of October with two others. I'll give you the full stories after. We're also making some serious progress with a few others. Torea who found us. Has completely turned his life around. The word of wisdom was a real challenge but he just blew it out of the water. We also taught an ex Jehovah's witness the other day and she was blown away. So the work is moving right along here.  Yesterday we went around and committed their members to find people and went around finding others. There was such a strong spirit. We were very bold and we found a lot of people. I had a blast. Us two (Elder Abner) and their ward mission leader were like the dream team. Also I did an interview for a kids baptism on Friday and he wanted me to confirm him. He lives all the way in Tiare (my old sector). At first I was like "No, come on man I live in Vairao." He persisted and I confirmed him. It was the opening day of the new church in my old ward. Cool! I'm way stoked for conference. I'll let you know what happens here. The zone is nuts but the sector is sweet. Wish me luck.

September 19, 2011

 I'm with Elder Mo now. He's a cool guy. He told me if his companion wants to work hard he'll do it. Sounds good enouph to me. We've gotten stuff done since he got here. New investigators have been flowing in. It's the best feeling in the world to find people that accept us and then accept the message on top of that. We also ate with the Mata family the other day and they brought someone along. She was just a little interested in the lessons. Then she came to our stake conference yesterday and she was so touched by the spirit that she cried, accapted the lessons, and even wanted to bear her testimony infront of everyone later that night. But she couldn't because the stake presidency failed to announce it and then after being informed just shrugged their shoulders and smiled. Come on guys. It's okay whatever. I'm sorry I really have to hurry today. I'll just finish by saying the gospel is still true, and the mission is still awesome.

September 12, 2011

 I pick up my new companion Thursday. His name is Elder Mo. I don't know him very well but I do know his parents. They live in Hitia'a, meaning he'll be serving in his stake. And his parents (who are awesome) already have the bad habit of going to visit their son no matter where he serves. Whatever though, I'm sure things will work out great, even better than now. President is my friend. Oh by the way- transfers are next week and now we'll have four assistants. Three of which are from my district. Frischknecht and Coulson are serving in the center of Papeete as an office couple, they at least have a sector though. Then Redding and Elder Tahiata are going to be travelling assistants. Cool for them!We're still juggling two sectors but normally that will change this week. They're sending the Elder that the members didn't like back with someone else. It was weird being in the other's sector. We taught someone the other day with a baptismal date fixed. I had never met them but it was up to me to share the message. During the prayer I felt that I really needed to ask them about the Book of Mormon. By the way, since Elder Hamula came I feel like each lesson is 100 percent inspired. It's so cool. Anyways after asking a few questions I found out that they didn't read the BOM nor did they know what it is. Wow.. Just wow. Well we took care of the situation but it makes me wonder. We're also starting a new program with our ward mission leader where we now share messages every Wednesday on the radio. Pretty soon we'll go worldwide. But for the time being it's just a few communities. I'm stoked on the idea. Other than that someone died so we had to go to the funeral. It's different here. They invite different religions and each one is given a time to explain there idea of what happens to the dead guy. I'm pretty sure we won. Fortunately I didn't have to talk or anything. It was crazy when they put him in the ground one of his four wives fainted. I really thought we might have to dig another hole for her. She got it back together though. Also I just saw my blog and it's awesome! Way to go mom.

-Orometua Oldroyd

September 5, 2011

Happy labor day! The holiday I've never understood. Home sounds chill. Our house is going to be totally different when I get there huh? I'm glad you can follow other blogs, that way you can get a more complete picture of how it is here. Speaking of pictures I sent home those three usb keys full of goodness this week. You should probably get them about two weeks from now. Also just randomly, I got a whole bunch of spiritual music from Elders Frischneckt and Redding. I'm almost positive I'll only have one more transfer. I'll be getting my new companion next Thursday when mine finishes, suspense. Mine's good, even though he's finishing he's fighting till the end. But my next companion will have the ability to make or break the sector. I'll devote at least 90 percent of my prayers for Tally. Lots of kids in our family now. Tell Liz she doesn't have to wait for me... but I'd really really love to be there. Tell her to hang in there until February. Oh and by the way- president asked us if we'd like to extent our missions until March. At first I said yes but after actually thinking about it I decided I prefer sometime in February. I hope you guys support my decision. Everyone except for Coulson decided the same thing too. We'll see though, it's still a long ways away (in not mission terms). Anyways here's my week in a nutshell. Monday we had our super zone council dealy, Tuesday an Elder was sick so I spent the whole day with him receiving spiritual enlightenment while my companion and Elder Abner did their lessons. Wednesday we had our big conference with Hamula and all the missionaries on Tahiti. Also incredible. That night we had a fireside with him and afterwords we slept in Papeete with the assistants and Zone leaders (Coulson and Redding). Also an Elder from our Zone got sent home to have an operation because he has cancer. He's still a missionary though. That would be as hard as it gets. There with his family and all. Then he should be coming back. They also took his companion. When I called to see what would happen with the sector they asked us to watch over it. so yeah now we do both sides of the presqu'ile. Pueu and Tautira as well as our normal side. So we spent a lot of time trying to find their investigators. We pulled it off alright with the members and all. So yeah that's the big news. Thanks for the package, I'm stoked. Also a guy asked me to ask you guys to send one of those oil holder dealys that's metal on the outside and glass on the inside with the Christmas Package. Weird huh? One more package and it's doneski. Anyways tell me how the Utes to and all, I'll talk to you next week. Love, Elder Oldroyd

August 30, 2011

                                                                Elder James J. Hamula                                                      

I'll just say for president I am figuring it out little by little. He's a good guy.  It's all good. All I'll really tell you is what happened yesterday.We woke up at three and got there (Papeete) really early. I don't really know why... But it was way super cool. Elder Hamula taught us some pretty incredible stuff. Most of which isn't worthy of being transmitted by email. But let's just say I went there with a lot of questions in my heart and he responded to each one of them as if I had asked him to do so. He prepared nothing coming in but definitely received some inspiration. That meeting will change both my mission and my life. It was cool too since there were probably 20 of us all there sitting on a couch being taught how to be leaders in the mission. Afterwords all of us zone leaders had one on one interviews with him. Too bad for the district leaders. That was a first for me. I learned a whole lot and I'm really sorry that you have to wait to hear it. I definitely felt important though. I gotta bounce. Elder Abner needs us. His companion is either dead or dying of sickness. We'll see. See you next week. I love you all.

August 22, 2011

We had to go to Papeete three times this week. That's an all-day ordeal. It takes almost two hours to get there. Then it takes time and money to find parking and finally we have to walk quite a ways to get where we want to go. So yeah, we had to cancel all or most of our lessons for all of those days. And why did we go you might ask? To buy wedding rings! We also had to buy shoes for the bride and find pants and shirts for the groom. We had some crazy adventures running around in town on foot and even taking other missionaries bikes on occasion to get through traffic quicker.  Friday we had an open house that had so many problems it almost didn't happen. No us, no computer, no dvd, no projector, nobody there, etc. But it happened. We taught the first lesson and watched the first vision movie. Two people there accepted the lessons and one of our investigators who we didn't think would come did and he brought a friend and took him on a tour of the church. Awesome! I gave a Book of Mormon to him and he thumbed through it and said "hmmm this should take me until September."  I was just like go for it dude. He scares me way bad. Normally we can't even get him to look at us or acknowledge our presence even when we're right next door or walking past his house saying hello. Finally after all this nightmare, Sunday was one of the better days of my whole mission. We had a baptism early in the morning for our investigator Tevaria. His father who we baptised two weeks prior was able to perform the ordinance. You could tell his father was the happiest one there. Then at church came the confirmation. So we all get in the circle and then the stake president called his father up with us. I had no idea what was happening. He allowed him to participate the the confirmation telling my companion to change the prayer a little bit to include the Aaronic priesthood as well. Everyone was confused but mostly touched. Especially Toto. He was crying after because he was just so surprised and happy. I was way moved by the experience. Finally that night we ate with an inactive family. We ate a ton. It was almost time to go home and the wife asked for a blessing. Now keep in mind we've done like thirty school blessings this week so I wasn't expecting anything new. She chose me and when I laid my hands on her I felt the spirit just as normal but then something happened and I was completely overtaken. I was pushed to say some things I would have never thought of saying. When it was all over she was totally in tears. I couldn't stop crying even as we were driving away. It was amazing how strong the spirit was. Okay, well I'll leave off with that. Also Elder Abner's email got deleted so he has requested that you put a little "Hi mom" in my blog for him. I'll talk to you next week.

August 15, 2011

Today we went on a hike with our bishop into the jungle. We followed a river into unknown territory for three hours cutting our path through the brush. It was nuts. I killed so much nature today I almost feel guilty. We never found the source but we ate our sandwiches and made the trip back down. IT was pretty cool. Except for Abner walked into my machete twice on the way down. The angels protected him though.  I'm sotally toked on the whole 18 month thing. That's my last big mark. I'm running for home base now. It's weird each six months has gone twice as fast the one before. We'll see how the fourth quarter goes. This is the important one. I've done the other three and I have no regrets. I've just got to finish strong. I haven't yet burned the pants but I will soon. Oh and Elder Redding has to finish pretty close to our date meaning normally we'll all be finishing at that same time. We'll see though. Anyways coming back- there is sooooo much less Tahitian here I am almost afraid to lose it. It's hard. Life goes on though. My companion had a random change of heart last week and registered himself for college starting the 22nd. So now he's trying to finish early. So in probably five weeks I'll have a new companion. Thanks for your support. I'll just keep giving it my all here. Fourth quarter.

August 8, 2011

I know I never talk about weather conditions or food. It never ever changes. It's always between 26 and 30 Celsius in the day and about 20 at night. Sometimes it rains sometimes it doesn't. The food is almost always raw fish or chicken cut up and thrown in with some kind of vegetable. And the rice, there is never a meal or even a snack without freaking rice. I'll have to take some more pictures of food to send you guys. As for our house it's... Classic. Anyways not too much happened this week for me either. We went to Papeete three times. I wanted to die. Monday we were a taxi for missionaries. Wednesday it was for two investigators and a Mormon-hater. The one investigator is a girl and she's pregnant. Plus she's not used to cars so about every ten minutes we had to pull over real fast so she could run outside and throw up. This process of getting on the road, slamming on the brakes, and having her run out and throw up happened at least ten times as we went around the whole island. Sweet. Then Thursday we went up again to go to the temple. It was great. I hadn't been in a year so it felt like my first time. I felt better than that first time though. Plus the spirit was soooo strong I couldn't believe it. And to top it all off this week we finally saw the fruits for all of our searching for investigators. We got some new investigators. My favorite was this one where I just went to shake their hands and say hi before going to eat next door. When she saw me she read my name tag and asked me if I could come teach her about who Jesus Christ is (looking at my name tag). Well sure, that's actually our job. So yeah we came back the next day and had a huge effect on her according to the members present. They followed up and she was really touched. Plus her dying baby was healed because she prayed as we had told her to do. Awesome! Way to go spirit. Well that's about it as far as positive experiences go. Otherwise president is kind of scary right now. He knows everything we do and everywhere we go. Then he uses others to see if we tell the truth. It's kind of becoming a monarchy, and we're the slaves. Just kidding but seriously. We're obedient but we are always put on the spot as if we were Babylon. He even knows where we eat lunch. It should be interesting cause he's coming tomorrow to judge our capability as missionaries. Talk to you next week with less than six months left. Love, Elder Oldroyd

August 1, 2011

Yo mom, sorry I'm so late today we had to go to pape-shootmeintheface-ete to take someone's bike in. Thats nuts that Nelson is leaving. He's two years younger man. Real quick for the questions- I got the flash drives back and I'll work on refilling them and sending them pretty soon here. Plus I bought a 32 gig with the credit card. The other one is full. Wario is as classic as ever. We get along alright. The stuff works, I'm lookin better. I'll probably need more even though I am embarrassed to say so. Wednesday we had a type of leadership meeting where president Sinjoux gave us some tough assignments. Then we had to do two transfers which ended up leaving about 10 missionaries all at the same spot looking at each other all asking "how?". Oh and one Elders companion got transferred, because of his multiple girlfriends, but no replacement came. So for three days we did both our lessons in our sector and his lessons in his. He slept at our house thus leaving the three of us to sleep on the ground. It was sooo fun. I love Elder Abner. He made things fun. He said it was the best day of his life. He was right to say so, we had a spiritual party.

Finally his new companion came Friday night. He has two months left and he is serving ten minutes from his house in his own stake. Can you imagine if I went to serve on like 33rd south for my last ten weeks? Tough stuff. He's stoked though, he knows everyone. He's home. And finally yesterday was an amazing baptism from our investigator Toto. We woke up at 5:15 and got ready. His baptism was at seven. The font was empty when we got there. But it worked out. I baptised him. It was perfect. Afterwords he bore his testimony which blew every one's socks off. After church we gave him the priesthood so that when his son comes back from the tuamotus he can baptise him. I'm so stoked on the mission! Well yeah that's about it though. Sorry I can't give more details but if I did what would have to talk about when i come back? Just kidding I try. Anyways I'll talk to you next week.

July 25, 2011

In two weeks I'll have been on my mission for 18 months. My district's trying to figure out if we should extend our mission or just finish at the normal time. We'll see; we've still got a while. So the work goes on here in Vairao. We should be splitting our ward next week meaning an even bigger sector and even more Jehovah's Witnesses to preach to us. I don't have a whole lot to report. But we had two major successes this week. We fixed the baptism for our investigator Toto for next week. They chose me to baptise him. His last name is really super long Teriiteporouarai and his real first name is apparently worse. Whaterrr. Then his son will get baptised probably two weeks after (hopefully by his father) and then our investigator Poni will get baptised two weeks after that. So we are having baptisms consistently about every two weeks. Also there was one this week and the one two weeks before. Success! Things are really moving along here. I love the work, but I just hope that we'll be able to keep finding people. That's the hard part. We look for help but don't really find it. But I know they try to try. So yeah basically the mission is awesome, hard, but awesome. We'll see what the next few months have to offer.

July 18, 2011

 I've been wondering if it would really be worth it to go to Rurutu. Expensive stuff. I can't believe that President Smith called and/or had anything nice to say. Just kidding but seriously.. I'm moderately shocked. I've always done my best but I didn't think he ever saw or noticed. Sweet. Tell him what up if you talk to him again. That guy's such a boss. Love him. K well I just got pressed to go so I will give you only the purest and most important information (there's not a lot). Last week for P-day we rode bumper cars for an hour and a half and ate cotton candy. I felt like a child at a circus because that's exactly what I was. Tuesday we had a ton of lessons and got a surprise call to take an elder all the way to Papeete for a transfer because he kissed a girl the night before at midnight in the mission house. Yeah, okay. And that's the least of his problems. So as punishment he got sent to an awesome island with Elder Ferrin. Poor Ferrin. We did a lot of looking again this week and just a teensy bit of finding. But we had success on the side of baptisms. One of our not so prepared investigators had a few spiritual visions this week and is now ready to be baptised. So this Saturday he'll be baptised. I'm way super stoked and I'll tell you all about it next time. Well now it's off to the Noni factory and then off to save some more souls. Seeya next week. Also thank you so much for your support.

July 11, 2011

                                                       President Benjamin Tauraa Sinjoux

The work here continues. July is by far the hardest month of the year here cause everyone is on vacation. But we have managed to keep it moving. We do lots a looking and just a teensy little bit of finding. But this week we have seen a lot of miracles in that all of our investigators are taking the decision to be baptised. We have four baptisms fixed for this month and August with at least one more coming this week. Therefore making us by far the highest of the zone. Miracles still happen. Monday we were in Papeete the whole day which was kind of lame. But it was all worth it cause we ate at McDonald's. Wednesday we were in Papeete once again for our zone leader meeting dealy with the new pres, President Sinjoux. He's legit. He isn't really going to change anything but he'll make adjustments where it's necessary. So we all really like him. His wife was a big politician before coming on mission.  She doesn't talk, but she rather forcefully puts her words into your ears. We'll see though. Friday we have a Zone Conference and we'll be talking about a "surprise subject". Normally surprises are great but this one bites. Thursday we drove around in circles to get everyone interviewed by president. I tried and succeeded in my fast and furious skills. And finally Friday we had a baptism for our investigator Rahei. From day one she wanted to get baptised and after a long struggle in finally happened. Everything seemed to be against us but it happened. Normally she is way super timid and stuff but as soon as she came out of the water she truly was a new person. Happy and confident. Also the baptism touched one of our eternal investigators who was there, so after he came up to me and he said he's ready to get baptised. Sweet! the spirit rocks. Don't forget it.

July 4, 2011

Family, I'll try and be brief cause our normal email place is closed and it's really expensive here. But basically after your emails I am way super stoked for next year's 4th of July. I'll have you guys I know I celebrated the Fourth here with something even better than blowing up a piece of America. I blew up a piece of a french country! We burned our garbage in our yard as a celebration. And I guess we totally forgot about a can of aerosol so it exploded like our whole neighborhood and my companion screamed like a girl. I was singing the national anthem during the whole ordeal. America rules! Wario is good and the work is hard. Our new president isn't as evil as everyone says. I loved the conference. Our entire mission was there except for two guys. Yeah sorry I'm not gonna have any money for food later so I'm gonna go. We'll be in Papeete today to take someone to the doctor. Lame. Oh yeah one last thing. This week we went to Fenua Aihere to see some members. Look it up on google maps. It's after the end of the road so we had to go on foot in flip flops through the ocean and through rivers. Just like in the movies. Two guys in white shirts going through the jungle. Just know I'm still kickin. And you guys are living the dream life. Keep it up.

June 27, 2011

There isn't really that much to report this week. Just a bunch of lessons and a ton of looking for new investigators. It's the summer vacation meaning pretty much everyone is gone. A good amount of our investigators have already left on vacation and it's only the beginning. So the work is harder than normal. It's moving along though. Our lessons are as powerful as ever. Our investigators can always feel the spirit and they make changes in their lives. The guy who was mad at us last week was also mad at us this week because we got to his house early. But once again we totally blew him away with the spirit and he accepts the Book of Mormon. Also finally the little girl we teach named Rahei got an answer to her prayer about Joseph Smith. She has always wanted to get baptised but she would never ask by prayer if it was true. Well she did it, dangit, and she said the words I'll never get tired of hearing "I got and answer to my prayer......it was a warm feeling." Way to go, spirit. She will be getting baptised next Saturday. Saturday we fasted and went with the ward to reactivate inactive members. It was sweet. Although with one I came a little bit behind the others cause I had to pee and they had already started. So when we first got there they were only talking to her in Tahitian. When I got there they told me to give the message. So I shared a scripture and gave this whole lesson in Tahitian but she was real quiet. I asked her like three times what she thought and she didn't respond. Finally I asked in French and she looked up and me and says "I like this scripture but.. I don't understand a word of Tahitian." Dang it all! So we had to re-explain everything. Well that's about it. Except for I finally found the identical twin of my companion. Wario from Mario Cart. He looks, acts, and grunts like him. Gotta love the mission.

June 20, 2011

This morning I wanted to shoot myself in the face because we taught an Adventist couple. For the first 45 minutes she just talked and told us stories about how evil Mormons are. Then my companion tried to bear testimony and she came back with about 50 false-doctrinal comments and questions. It's not the first time but it was DEATH hearing all that false doctrine.Life here is pretty much the same. Tuesday we had our final zone conference with President Smith. It was sweet, he talked a lot about finding new people to teach and encouraged us to take the "low hanging fruit". It's true, there are tons of people already prepared in our areas. When go looking for people that have no interest whatsoever in what we say? So we had a lot of success this week in our efforts to find people. Saturday me, my companion and a ward missionary from the other side of the island got called to do a funeral service. The bishop and his counselors were no where to be found so it was up to us. We had no idea what we were doing. We got to this little house with like 40 people in it all crying because there was a dead baby in a little coffin in the middle of the house. Uhhhhh okay. So we went in and sat down on three prepared seats before everyone. Then we did what is called pataha noa, meaning we just winged it. It was incredible. We bore testimony to this large group of non-members about the plan of salvation and the restored church. They stopped crying, even the father and mother kind of looked at us like "Really? The baby is saved? We'll see him again?" Everyone in that room saw very clearly that what we taught was the truth and what the other faiths had taught them was completely false. They even told us after. So we totally comforted them and they even managed to smile. Then I blessed the grave, that was a first. The spirit totally knocked the socks off of everyone. The next day we saw the family at church and the Dad told the bishop he wants to be baptised. He has no doubt. So yeah, the work moves on. Also I went to my first sector on a split Friday. It was way weird to be back there. We had some serious success while I was there. Finally this wee we were able to participate in two baptisms and one marriage this week for the other Elders in our zone. Cool stuff. So things are good here. Despite all the crappy stuff that happens that I don't write the mission is awesome. It's DEFINITELY worth it. I have no doubt of that.

June 13, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfDlycsPGBg

Elder Oldroyd SINGS!

Well this week was just about the same as any other week. We taught a bunch of lessons; 19 actually. So basically every week has more lessons and new investigators than the one before. Success! Also I got a call from the Ariiotimas (who love you) and they said that at least two of the people we taught in Rurutu are getting baptised soon. The prophet Hearii is having his baptismal interview today. So basically nothing changes, all the fruits come after I leave sectors. I'm way happy about that cause at least there's fruit. We got a lot of potential new investigators this week by working with ward members. Saturday was like the MTC all over again. Me, my companion and our ward mission leader all sat in a room and had different non-member couples come and sit down in front of us. We had to quickly get to know them and think of an appropriate lesson. Soooo sick. I loved it because this time I was ready and this time it was real. So yeah, total success here in Vairao.

June 6, 2011

This week was moderately awesome. Monday we had a way powerful blessing for an old 99 percent dead grandma; I dunno why but the spirit was way super strong. We also played tennis therefore breaking mission history for me. I thought of mom. Also we totally killed two kids in a pick-up game. Wednesday we had our last  Zone Leader meeting dealy with President Smith. Bummer. My whole district was there except Ferrin. Thursday I taught a bunch of Protestant people how to sing with better accents. What an experience that was. They're singing songs from Glee. Do you guys still what that? Saturday we had our Stake Conference and the coolest thing ever happened. I ran into William. My first ever contact. Since we started the lessons he got baptised and Sunday he was getting the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was legit. He told me that before with the other missionaries he could never accept the lessons but that day it was different. He said and I quote "it was because of you... It was because of the spirit and you." And at that moment I realised, along with my current studies in Preach My Gospel, that that is exactly what we're supposed to do. In fact that is what we do all day everyday. We work according to the spirit. It's both Him and us that make the difference in every investigator's life.

May 30, 2011

Things here continue as normal. Almost every day this week we worked on finding old investigators and contacting people. We had a lot of success especially with our ward mission leader. We've got a lot of following through to do this next week. Also I guess we drove like four times too far last month in all of our business. They probably should have told us that there even was a limit before giving us the keys.. Since we have a huge sector and a zone that covers half the island I guess it was bound to happen. Well now we've got to find a bike for Elder. Where as my bike is looking sweeter than ever before. Otherwise the work moves on. We've got more and more people committed to baptism every week. And we have at least two baptismal dates fixed for June with a third and a fourth possible. Things are looking good before the dreaded month of July. I love seeing so many of our investigators come to an understanding of the gospel and know that it's true. Things are really moving along here. Just to end on a non-spiritual note- The chickens around our house are getting bolder every day. There's this one that keeps flying up on an old fridge right by our front door and every time I walk outside it spazes out and flies away. Well after about the fifth time of me trying to kill it with water bottles and brooms I was angry and disappointed. So this morning after chasing it into the jungle I hit where it sleeps with the broom and splat, I ruined breakfast. Little did I realize it had been laying eggs there. Well next time I'm eating the chicken and the eggs, cause we're going to borrow a blow gun from an Elder in our zone. I'm totally stoked on the idea of eating my problems instead of throwing things at them. Here's my finally goodbye thought for the week. Yesterday was Mothers day and everyone lied in there testimonies cause they said there mom was the best and most beautiful. They hadn't met mine. Seriously though mom, it's only after coming here and cleaning up after a bunch of slobs that I have realized how much you did for me. I will NEVER leave a dirty dish in the sink again. Neither will I put anything anywhere it doesn't belong. Thanks for your days of sacrifice but it's over when I get home. Happy Tahitian Mother's Day and remember that you smoke them all.

May 23, 2011

Ia ora na family. Uhhhh, let me just start by asking- what the crap happened to our ward?! Then I'll move on because I'm actually way super bummed about that. Good job on the marathon. People here are always amazed when I tell them you run those things since like no one here does. Can you also send the way super cool new Joseph Smith movie? And also The Other Side of Heaven. I don't know if I can watch the latter but I know our investigators/ward can. Everyone who has ever seen that movie here finds an instant testimony so i think that would be a major success. That's all. Thanks so much. There are three Zones here on Tahiti and then one huge one that covers all the other islands. There are two districts in each zone. Our zone (Zone 3) covers about half the island. It's just the wild less peopled side. In my sector and the one on the other side there are places only accessible by foot; where you have to cross rivers and stuff. It's pretty cool, actually. I don't talk to president all that often, he's a busy guy since he finishes next week. Then we'll be over-taken by a Chinese guy. I speak a little English with the few people in the ward that know how. Otherwise I talk to the American Elders a little when I see them around. Oh by the way Elder Coulson (the only smart one in our district) is now assistant. Therefore proving all of our assumptions. Well this week was just as any other. We went golfing Monday and I have got some pretty funny videos from it. Also we had a big meeting Wednesday with all the leaders from the whole mission. My whole district was there EXCEPT Elder Frischknecht. Poor guy. He missed the A-46 Boyz Reunion. Also Thursday the only Australian missionary in our whole mission got sent home. It was sad cause we were good buds and then I had to take him away. Having a car can suck too. Yeah so basically the whole first half of our week we did no lessons because of that stuff.Friday Saturday and Yesterday were full of lessons though so it was great. This sector is doing well, we've got a ton of new investigators and a ton of baptisms coming up. Hard work pays off. Also this week I got really lucky and saw a lot of old friends from old sectors. Even the work I did over a year ago is still paying off. Almost everyone I have ever taught has been baptised by the other missionaries and I couldn't be more stoked. Also Our neighbors in Hitia'a are still waiting for us next June. Well that's all for this week. Hang in there family. I'll speak to you guys by phone in 7 months, then I'll come home like right after.. I can't believe It's already been 15 months and soon to be 16. Well anyways I'll seeya

May 16, 2011

Well anyways this week was alright. Tuesday we had to drive all the way up to Papeete to take a couple of elders in for interviews. I guess some members saw them doing some stuff.. So I didn't think it was that big of a deal until the first elder took like two hours with president. I guess they were actually into some pretty bad stuff and he told everything to president. It was good actually, he cleared our whole zone of lap tops, cell phones, and movies. There's definitely plenty of stuff left but it's a lot better now. That day we just drove around and around the island doing transfers and picking up the goods. It sucked though cause we had to cancel three lessons and a baptismal interview. I guess the zone is lookin a little cleaner though. Otherwise it was kind of a hard week. My companion who was involved in some of the problems had a kind of breakdown and decided he couldn't continue his mission as zone leader. He was really down this week. Then he told president and he changed his mind. Friday was great. We went up to Papara for our little district meeting. I taught it. It was cool since I haven't taught a district meeting in like eight months since I was all alone on a desert island. After Our meeting we baptised a kid named Temarii. The elder before me came all the way down here to baptise him so it was sweet. Everything went perfectly. Saturday we had yet another baptism for a girl named Anna. A few of our investigators came so we were stoked. The only problem was that the guy who baptised her messed up seven times before doing it correctly. But finally she got baptised. We decided she must have had lots of sins if she needed to be baptised 8 times. After we celebrated by eating tacos. Maybe that doesn't sound so special to all those missionaries in Mexico and South America but to me it was a big deal. Plus that night I found my future business. I'll do just like Dad and many others have said and I'll export cheap American and Chinese goods to Tahiti. Since things are about three times more expensive here I don't think I can lose. Well that's all for this week. I'm still here working away. Life goes on. I'm bummed I probably won't hear from you today but I'll try again. Otherwise have a nice week. Also tell Liz her scripture was awesome because I was in bonds and I was stoned. Hah, I loved that scripture. Well seeya

May 9, 2011

Hey, everyone. I don't have a ton of time so I'll be brief. So Rurutu is finally behind me. I am glad to be done with that. But I know I learned a lot. You'd think it would be hard to learn anything stuck on an island with two companions from Babylon with some of the ward members working against you but you'd be wrong. I really learned a lot about patience and endurance amidst all the problems. And I really learned a lot about farming weird island plants. But that's all behind me now. I got transferred to Vairao as a zone leader. It's a humbling call but mostly a relief. I can finally feel the spirit when we teach. My companion listens when I teach instead of distracting the investigator. There are no more cell phones or late night movies. Life is good here. We've got some serious problems in the zone but it's much better than my last sector. I'm so excited to go out and work everyday with the spirit. I look forward to the rest of my mission being better than ever.

April 25, 2011

Life on Rurutu never gets any easier. I'm still dealing with two really large rocks tied around my ankles whilst trying to work, although last week and this week we did have a little bit of success in contacting some lost investigators and we did a lot of service projects. Oh and two food miracles have happened recently. I now like taro almost as much as potatoes (even if it is a gross plant). I think the more and more I plant the more and more I respect the beast. Also I did receive a package. It was awesome! Especially the camera. Much better quality. And we downed all the food probably within one or two days. Otherwise despite all of the disappointments we at least have one investigator who I have complete faith in. Unlike the rest he is not in Tahiti, he's not crazy, and he's not eternal. It's Hearii, the kid who had a vision when he prayed about Joseph Smith. He's reading the Book of Mormon and he understands everything. He read Lehi's vision and he said he couldn't stop thinking about it. So I wanted to see how much he had understood before explaining it. He understood EVERYTHING. All the comparisons and weird things. Keep in mind he has no religious background. He's definitely going to be something great. Also this nightmare will finally end. President called me the other day to inform me of my transfer. I'll be going to Vairao as Zone Leader. That's a humbling call. But I couldn't be more stoked. Vairao is the sector that I have always wanted to serve in since I started. But I never thought I would be able to serve there since I've already served twice in that Zone and even twice in that stake. Well I got lucky. Also I will have to go on splits to my first sector! I am really so excited to go there. Just leaving here would be good enough. So I'll be leaving Monday. Please write the emails Sunday so that I can see them in the morning if I have time. Well that's all for today, I hope this long email and the other one make up for last week. Hopefully I'll talk to you next week.