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.

April 11, 2011

Wednesday I feel like we really worked hard. We mowed a lawn, which isn't so simple here.. But we got it done way fast. There we're three of us with giant power weed wackers at the same time. But probably the worst experience of my life happened too. So I was cutting along and I saw some dog crap; so I thought to my self "mmm better not touch that" then the cord lengthened exploding the dog crap into my face and all over my body. I was in shock. It was a new experience for me to have dog crap all over me. Well I was diligent and kept at it for a few hours until I could go take a shower. Nasty man. Also the same day we had a lesson with an inactive family. Well the situation changed so I needed to change the lesson. I asked my companion to do the revision (as we had planned) so that I could quickly find something for the situation. He refused to teach, as he sometimes does, thus leaving me to do everything. Wonderful.. In the end they're all just funny stories. Otherwise this whole week I've been sick and finally Friday I just stayed at branch president's house to try and get better. It kind of didn't work. But I'm almost better now. Finally Sunday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting. Everyone liked it but the thing that shocked me the most was Omer. He told me that it was "super" just imagine that in a French accent being told to you by a fat guy. I loved it! It's the nicest thing he's ever said to me. Oh yeah, first off Mike and Mayana got the package and they absolutely loved it. The towel for the baby, the candy for the kids, the CD for Mayana and the hard drive for Mike. They were soooo stoked. They love the CD so it just stays in their car and plays over and over. Tell Marshall he's a hit here in Rurutu and also in Tahiti. One more random thing, I finally saw Nelson and Clark's little video. I loved it! That was sooooo sweet! I saw you as well as other members. I love our ward man. Currently I am happy here just trying to do as much as I can despite the holdbacks and I'm looking towards a brighter future. I did see conference. Not all of it, and not in English but I saw more than anyone else on this island. The second most was Elder Marae who saw a little and slept a little. Then some youth got to see about 45 minutes. Other than that no one saw any of it except for me. I the best! (In Toads gayish voice).