June 28, 2010

Food here is pretty bad but I have learned to love it. They just slice up a whole chicken, bones and all and boil that stuff up. It's muddy sometimes which actually makes for so fun riding. But there are some ways to avoid getting all muddy. The language is coming strong as always. But I have realized that my accent is terrible. Just the other day someone even asked me if I come from the south. Even English is terrible! Whatever - most people understand usually. We officially have four dates set for baptisms. Everyone has been asking us when they can baptized... Yeah that's easy enough. Also one other positive thing this morning another guy gave blankets to us. Score!

June 23, 2010

This American minister who we teach French gave me a bike seat. He just loves me and I love the guy too. But I commented on how nice his bike seat was and he new we had a long bike ride that day so he gave it to me! I tried arguing with him but he said the Lord told him too.. It's called the "End Zone". Sooooo nice. Also I got backed into by this guy. I like the guy and he never noticed so it's all good. Maybe someday I'll tell him. But the bike didn't receive a scratch. And speaking of the bike, I am getting better all the time at popping wheelies. It's important here. I got a new investigator the other day - William. He's been coming to church. Today we had an awesome lesson. It's our second lesson with this lady and she asked if she could be baptized Sunday. Uh....... Okay maybe after the lessons? As seeing we haven't quite yet told her who Joseph Smith is... Speaking of lessons we have got lots of new people and July is usually way slow but I think we will do well. Also the language is great. As far as French goes I can talk to anyone almost about anything. Of course there are always words I don't get but it's pretty darn good.

June 14, 2010

This week we set a goal for 20 lessons and we had 23 planned. But my comp got deathly ill. It's all good though. One of our new investigators is growing some marijuana, just thought that was funny. I'll take a pick with it. We had our first baptism. It was an 85 year old French lady. She was an interesting one. she is kind of spacey and I was worried about the baptism. She chose my comp thank heavens. Man at first she slipped and almost died getting in. Then she starting freaking out because it was too cold. after about 20 minutes of attempting to comfort her he said the prayer way fast and just dunked her. She screamed on the way down. After that she was pretty calm. Everyone was watching, I loved it.

June 7, 2010

Man it's good here. I looked back in my planner and at the beggining of May we were doing 8 lessons a week. Now we are up to 17 about. We set a goal for 20 this week which is the Zone goal. So if we pull that off it will actually be amazing. Oh and before me they only had like 4 investigators. Now we have 11 families or individuals. I am not amazing, but the work is improving lots. My comp has improved every day since I first met him and now he is incredible. The other day I went on a split with one of the Zone leaders, Elder Picket. I went to his area, Vairo. It was legit. Lots of lessons, lots of good conversations with investigators. The missionary day is very simple. We wake up, eat, study, go out and teach, then go to our faatamaaraa with a member. I drove this crappy French car which like all cars is a stick shift. After a while he asked me how long I had been driving stick? Well, I had driven I think twice on the road and once down our driveway at work... He was surprized. The roads here are nuts but I made excellent time. In the two wards there are I think about 30 active families and a million innactive. Yesterday we went out with some of the Elders Quorum to reactivate a few. We got four in just a few hours. About 25 a month are reactivated. It's weird how that works. Also the encouragement to go on a mission just isn't there. I think at least a quarter don't even consider it. Anywho all is well here. I've gotta bounce. Keep up the good work on the home front. I'm still here in a weird country.

May 31, 2010

Man, my comp has improved so much. We taught a lot more lessons this week and spent less time at member's houses. I just found out yesterday that before my comp got here it was 0 lessons a week. Then with him and another it was around 8. Now we're rockin around 15. So certainly things are looking bright. He corrects everything I do which is weird. Just the other day he changed where I was taking a leak for no reason... He corrects at least four things everyday and often his reason is that it's hot here and cold in America... Soooooo weird. But it's all good. The lesson in Tahitian was way hard but I handled it alright. It's hard to be nervous when you're talking to a grandma. I live by a river dealy. There are tons here. But the funny thing is I didn't know that for a long time. The trees are so thick that I can barely see past our little fence. Just two days ago I saw a house that I didn't know existed. I have done zero baptisms. We've got a whole bunch that should be coming up soon and also some marriages. I hope I am still here for everything. President in our interview acted like I would be transferred soon. He said me or Punu would be leaving soon but he didn't know which. I love my area, I don't want to serve in Papeete or Faaa with all my heart! I don't speak English except on P-days and often in my mind.

May 27, 2010

Well my comp tried to tell me to lie in my interview about our work but I said heck no. He tried to tell me what to say like four times.. But he went first and President had heard from our zone leader what was up. I am friends with the zone leader and I just told him for kicks and giggles. Anywho I work has improved majorly since then. Just today my comp stopped at the Catholic church where we talked to a Catholic man who is now taking the lessons and he wants his family too as well. I dunno that was way cool. Also I taught The Joseph Smith Story the other day for the first time in a while. It was flawless French, really none of the words were mine. Stuff like that happens lots. Also I occasionally have a lesson where I sound like an American has only been here for a month. Speaking of which I have my first couple Tahitian lessons coming up with new investigators. Dang it's going be harder than the first week of French for sure. It's all good. Well anywho I better get going. Just know I am alive. Oh and yesterday was my one month anniversary here. It came pretty quick.

May 17, 2010

Man oh man I think I would kill for a good burger right now. I've eaten so many animals but it's all grade D meat. Soooooo many bones and cartilage and fat. I ate a goat the other day and it was alright. Everyone made the sound for me. Baaaaaaaah. Thanks guys... Hmmm so someone died this week. It was the husband of the lady who called me cowboy. It was a sad funeral and my comp was way bummed. So we got almost nothing done in the last two days. Lessons fell through right and left. It's okay I told him I want to work more and he says he does too. Oh so random, I had the ultimate foreigner moment today. I tried to pull a door that said push. I can't read stuff like that! Oh and mom please for the love send me my pajama pants. Other than that I am okay cause my comp gave me a blanket. Maybe send me a sweatshirt?

May 10, 2010

We live in a little town north of Papaeri but it's name escapes me. Most our work is in Papaeri. My comp is an alright sized guy; he used to be my size... He is much bigger than me. I sleep like a rock at night except I get cold with the fan after a while. Although it's saving my life. But yeah it's like 75 and I am cold. I'm a true Tahitian. Oh so last night I gave a talk only to like thirty people but they loved it. Especially because at the end I said that Tahitians are way more humble than Americans. They love when I talk them up. The days are going by really fast here and the weeks are half as long as the days. My comp is a happy fellow. I thought he was disobedient a little but after all the stories I realize he is just Tahitian. And a good one at that. It would be real hard to take their lifestyle and then to come on a mission.

May 3, 2010

Okay let me start with the bad news then I will work my way towards good news. Man yesterday was honestly the worst day ever. I am pretty sure my camera fell out in this members truck. In fact really sure but we cannot get in contact with them because our phone is really bad. Then I woke up at about 11 last night and threw up and had diarrhea until the sun came up. Oh and yeah of course we have no toilet paper so I had to go into the cold shower about 20 times. It really was a lot like I imagine Hell is like so I will be good. Good news though my comp had a strange rub he put on my stomach and he tied a shirt around it real tight and I stopped. My Comp is the bomb.com. he speaks no English except a few slang phrases. I guess it is good though because maybe I will learn French.... One time he took a nap at an investigators home, also he likes spending a long time talking to people. I guess it is the way the Tahitian coconut grows. Ummmmm We have taught a few lessons. I have usually just born testimony but I have taught a little too. I see lots of baptisms coming up soon! Ugh I understand the talk during a lesson but after it is really hard. The kids here love me and I love them too. But when they talk I understand almost nothing. So I usually just play around with them. They are always talking while we play and I can not really respond... The adults speak more clearly and they try and help me understand as they go. The people here are so loving. I already have a house to stay at when I return. I have also been told after a couple minutes of talk that my family is friends with their family. I have never seen such kindness. People with nothing give us food. Hah! I gave my comp a pair of socks and a bar of soap and he will always love me for it. I really love it here although I am not quite sure how I will survive two years. I mean the food here will be the death of me! I like it and yet I fear for my health. I think almost every meal I have had raw fish. It was that raw chicken that killed me. I know I am a fool. Just know that it is super hard and yet I think I can pull it off. I love the Tahitians.

April 28, 2010

Brother and Sister Oldroyd,

Elder Oldroyd has arrived, safe and sound, and after a day of orientation yesterday he is now in his first area of Papeari with his trainer Elder Punu, an excellent missionary who is from Mahina. We are already impressed with Elder Oldroyd and are excited to have him in the mission. We know he will do exceptionally well.

All the best,
President Smith
Papeete Tahiti