In The Zone!

Hi Family!  We had another great week. We have run into a little persecution from some of the other ministers on the island. Yeaaaa, it was rough. We were sitting on this buia with this guy Anibwate, and we were reading Moroni ch 7, talking about how to recognize good things in our life, and how we can receive a testimony. As we're talking, she (The KPC minister) rides down the road on the back of her husband's motorcycle. They turn around, stop in front of the house, she gets off, comes up behind us on the buia and starts just yelling. She's like, "What are you doing here? This is my sheep, how dare you" and then she was like, "The KPC has been here for so and so many years, why did you guys just come?" She seemed to think that was an awesome argument so she said it like 6 times. I was irritated and I wanted to say something really bad, but Farley held me back and then he just said, cool, alright thanks, and we turned around and finished our lesson. Right after she yelled, it was our investigator's turn to read the verse, and he read Moroni 7:14  and it was so perfect. But seriously, so ridiculous.

Yeah, persecution has begun. But its okay, I think we have a really good base. Last week we only had 9/10 in our north unit, but this week we had 17, and next week we could easily break 20. Should be way awesome.  All of the unimwaane, like old men elders were displeased with the minister because its so culturally wrong to be rude to guests, and to tell people what they can and cannot do in their own houses. So in the end we looked good I think.

Farley and I really work well together. I sometimes get overeager and try to do things that we probably shouldn't yet, and he helps to keep me in check. But I also get him to do some things he probably wouldn't on his own. Its going well.  

We had 41 at church, it should have been more. Some of our stalwarts were down with an illness in the south, and there was also a party. This week we'll be renting the car and having everyone from the south come up to the north to do a combined thing so we can all hear from President Weir. I think Elder Sion is coming too!

Combined meeting should be really good. I'm excited. (We commented that we were surprised there was a place to rent a car on the island) No, its not like we rent "a" car, we rent "the" car.  The one big donated truck from Taiwan that is like the school bus for the kids and all kinds of other stuff. Its the only car on the island, so we'll rent it, (the driver comes with) and everybody will get on down south, and we'll all drive up north to do church. We'll also pick President up from the airport. Should be really good. 

(We mentioned that his cousin Juntin will be submitting his mission papers in the next month or so.) Whoa, Justy could be out on a mission so quick! Tell him to try to come here, i could train him here on NIkunau and it would be sick. Hahaha. I'm glad he's so excited, he's going to love it. Its so fun honestly.

(Ed asked him if he was doing well with his journaling.) I love Wilford Woodruff, he is the man. I read his thing on journal keeping in the teachings of the presidents book and I've written in my journal every day since. He has heaps of crazy stories, what a guy.

(We asked if the internet would be fast enough for a Mother's Day Skype.) I think it probably could. Is that really in two weeks? I think it could definitely work, we'd just have to try and maybe it would take a time or two to get it to actually work. but yeah i think its worth a try! We saw someone Skyping a person from Tarawa here a few weeks ago, I think that means it can work to America too. That's good news. Hard to believe that will be the last one, this was certainly the fastest month of my mission. Hard to believe we've been here for that long. Way fun though.

(Ed's comments to him about finishing strong: "Time always goes fastest when you're busy and working.  Keep at it because this is the timeframe when the end seems a long way off - probably because it seems like it should be close, but you still have 7 months (which is short compared to 24, but still a long time).

This is the time you are literally "in your prime" as a missionary.

For a short time in the early 1980s the church changed the missionary service period to 18 months for Elders.  However, after just a short period - less than 3 years maybe - they changed it back to 24 because the resounding effect was to reduce the effectiveness of missionary work by sending home the most capable, experienced, seasoned missionaries right when they were able to have the biggest impact.

You're right in that zone of your mission right now.  You can teach well, you've had a lot of experiences, you've dealt with a lot of situations and people, and you know what it means to teach with and follow the Spirit.  That should be your goal every day - to teach and work by the Spirit.

I'm guilty, myself, of looking forward to when you're back home, so I'll restrain myself from mentioning it too often.")

We'll be working hard. This next three months is the long part I guess. After that its so close it's way fast, So I think its good I have lots of work to keep me busy! I've heard about that (change from 24 to 18 months), I think its true. Farley and I are both actually in that same phase, its been really fun. Same when I was with Sion. The work/teaching gets shared very evenly. I look forward to being home, but I'm happy with where I am right now. Its going well, and I'm happy with the work we're doing. I do miss ice and air con (haven't had that my entire mission) but I think its totally worth it. I'll do my best to keep everything up every day. Mothers' day skype will be great. 2 weeks from today, I'll make sure it all works out.

Gotta go!  Love - dal