February 20, 2012
Hurro Famini! How are you guys this week? Sorry its been a while since you've heard from me but I goofed and forgot to get my last letter off. I just found it a lil' bit ago in my binder.
So this past week was a big week. Zone conference, Zone p-day, and big news. First off, Zone p-day. It was moved to wed. of this past week because zone conference was on thursday. Working on monday after a Sunday in Uman is Blehhh. But the week definitely made up for it. Wed. morning we got picked up by the boat. (Rodger drove with Wonzo as boat boy. Rodger is the 19 year old kid that drove Elder Valinotti and I back in that video of us on the boat at sunset.) I knew it would be a good day, because I love when Rodger drives. He's a good clean kid whose a tad bit crazy and would fit in well with my friends back home. Like a mixture of Ryan Bills, Aaron, and the guys from the Salem Branch. There was one day that the leads on the boats battery weren't connected correctly and Esmate asked Rodger to fix them. So he decided to hold them and screamed like the Disney character Goofy does when they turned the ignition.
So we board the boat, curve south then south-west around Uman. Proceed west along the side of the Lagoon then North West through and next to Tiis, Param, Udot, and Eot until we reached Romonnum It was about one and a half hours by boat. I was super excited to see Romonnum. The missionary house on Romonnum is on the west back side of the island. From their beach, you can see two really small islands. The more southern one was our destination. (I'm being real descriptive so you can look it all up on google.) The islands name begins with an F, But I have for gotten it. It's only about 140 yards long and 70 yards wide, it that. It had about 10-15 yards of white sand beaches all around, and a reef around a bit of it. We built a fire and cooked out with chicken and rice. We played soccer, and rugby, and football up and down the beach, went fishing with Chuukeese reels (Elder Shakespear caught one fish and one shark) and played volleyball on a court that the locals had made. I've got some really cool pictures. (Wonzo scaled and gutted the fish that Elder Shakespear caught within a few minutes after it was caught and then threw it on the fire. It was eaten shortly thereafter. Probably the freshest fish I've ever eaten. I've actually like reef fish, especially with time...but I still hate all others, especially tuna! It was a really fun Zone p-day. When we left, all 14 of us boarded two boats. Herman drove the other boat and we headed towards Weno. The usual 45 min. trip took another hour and a half. We had dropped some stuff in Romonnum and when we rounded the North-Western part of the island we realized that we couldn't see Weno. We ended up riding through the biggest storm I've ever been on the boat for. We gave Rodger a pair of sunglasses and he whooped as we drove in a REALLY TALL, REALLY BROAD, REALLY BLACK WALL. It was really rough, real cold, and real...fun. Lets just say that I am glad that the boat was weighted down with nine of us. One of those being 290lb Elder Fisher. The boat didn't get tossed around as much, and with Fisher up front we rammed through the waves that we would probably have caught air on. When we finally popped out we were right close to Weno and there was a really cool sunset. About 800 yards out to half a mile, Rodger stopped so he could relieve himself off the back of the boat. (not an uncommon thing for this culture) Unfortunately for him the waves rocked and spun us around parallel to the island just as another boat was heading out. "whoa Dang! says Rodger as we all laugh at him, including those on the other boat.
Zone Conference was amazin. It was the spiritual experience that I've been praying and craving for. It strengthened my testimony on personal revelation and was such a relief from the frustration of Uman. The missionaries did a special musical number. We did a pretty cool Chuukese song. We also practiced finding with the senior couples. I learned I'm doomed if I ever work on Guam again because my English stinks. I get super tongue tied and that found that many sentences didn't make sense spoken in the way that my mind works now.
After Zone Conference, the outer islanders had President interviews. (outside under a coconut tree!) While I was waiting for my turn, Elder Butler gave me a letter stamped with the 14th of February. I don't know how it got here because it didn't have a post mark from America. The stamp is still good. I opened it and learned that Grandpa Allen had passed away 2 weeks prior. I was sitting on the ground leaning against the wall. After the first couple of line I stopped and looked down at the binder on my lap. I opened it and slide a letter addressed to him from the inside pocket. I sort of twirled it around at the corners for a few rounds then put it back and read the rest of Dad's letter. I think I'll hold onto it for now. Dad's letter ended with probably the most appropriate words. "He defined Wonderful!" I scratched my head and smiled. He's with grandma now, and he's probably happier than he's ever been. Resting from the torrents and worries of the world until that glorious day that our Savior shall come again. More humbling to me, about two weeks ago during morning studies, I began to contemplate marriage. Yeah, Yeah I know call me trunky, no getting away from it. I kinda sorta miss girls, and music, a lot, but thats not the point. I was thinking about how depending on who and when I marry, the wedding could very well take place in one of the temples in Utah. I was thinking about how much I really wanted to have my 97,98 or so year old Great Grandfather at my wedding. The thought then occurred to me that at 95 1/2 now, he would be 100 in 5 years. I got a bit sad as I realized my desire might now be probable. The pamphlet "Preparing to enter the Holy Temple" was sitting on my desk because there's been talk that the missionaries will get to start a temple prep class here in a bit. I picked up the pamphlet, and turned right to the page I had thought of "(The Sealing Room) is beautiful in its appointment, quiet and serene in spirit, and hallowed by the sacred work that is performed there....temples were built as a sanctuary for such ordinances as this. We are not in the world. The things of the world do not apply here and should have no influence upon what we do here. We have come out of the world into the Temple of the Lord." I was et with a warm feeling as I realized that he(grandpa) would be present no matter what.
So, back to Zone Conference. When it came time for my interview, I walked outside and started across the deck. Elder Valinotti was just getting through with his and he was walking back. It was ark and he was about 10 feet from me when he asked "is everything alright?" Elder Valinotti is someone I could tell anything to. I thought that it was cool that he picked up on it. Especially since I don't generally show that sort of stuff on my face. I related it all to him quickly and he was like "well, I would say that's exactly it. "Until that day." He left and I turned down the stairs. "Until that day" I whispered looking out over the ocean, Sorry I'm getting a little poetic on you guys, but its pretty vivid in my mind.
One final story! We gave a blessing yesterday. I've given many on my mission and they've all been really cool, but this one yesterday was a big testimony builder. I've gained and unshakeable testimony on the power of the Priesthood out here so far. So when the woman approached us holding her child and told us that he has been sick for 2 weeks. Able to do nothing more than lay there, and asked us to bless him, I had no doubt that he would quickly get better. Not even two minutes after the blessing, the kids stood up on his own. The next day, both he and his mother came to church and he was fine.
It's not looking like were going to get a baptism out of this transfer. This past one has been a frustrating one. We've got Jon, whose real close, and only has to quiet chewing snuff first. A couple named AJ and Annis. AJ's given up alcohol and Annis has given up Betelnut(stimulant). AJ only has to get over smoking and They've got to get married. AJ is really trying but Annis's dad is a pain. One of these "as long as I live, my family will always be in our church" kind of guys. He's been the headache for quite a few of our investigators. Once he goes though....But, just the dramatic change that AJ and Annis have made since being first contacted is amazing though. They didn't take to us well at first at all. Now each lesson is like a Family Home Evening and they both want to join our church. The spirit has definitely born witness to them of the doctrine. AJ was quick to accept but Annis was always. "no, no, no" In every lesson, she was determined to fight it and would always bring up baptism on her own. Annis "you guys don't believe the baptism our church does on babies is correct, right?" Us: "No" Annis "wellhow do you guys think it should be done? Like Jesus Christ by immersion? Us "Yes!" Annis "........." After a few more of those she stopped, accepted commitments to read and pray, and now enjoys it. AJ makes comments like "I've always wondered why there are no other churches on the island that bear the Saviors name. That if Christ were to walk down the road he would read the names of the churches Happy Family Church, "Nope not mine", Peace Church, "not mine either" The Church of Jesus Christ, "ah, there it is" He's also told us that He has heard Pastors from both the Catholic and Protestant churches say that the true church is the one that gets persecuted. "They pick on you guys all the time, and I don't think that there is a more hated group than you guys, This must be it!" I'm excited for them. Especially once I convert that old stick in the mud on the hill. hehe
This letter has gotten pretty long, and I'm kinda chipwan of writing it. I had a lot to tell you guys about so I hope that you don't mind the length. I love you guys (even those who read this on the blog) Keep me posted on what's happening and the poraus in your lives. Take it easy.
P.s For those of you out there drop me a line. It will be great to hear from ya! Plus this is a shoutout to Elder and Sister Tiffany since they just told me this past week that they read this.
Ai tong ngenikemi, tori frinfeno chok
Elder Lapeyrouse
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