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