Thursday, February 14, 2013

2-4-13

Hey There!
This week has been busy, but it's been good.  News on the transfers--I'm leaving Lepale and Leauva'a and moving to the backside of the island to Lotofaga.  The great thing is that I'm staying together with my companion, Elder Faitau.  So that's tight.  I don't think that happens very often, so I'm stoked.  Faitau is freakin' cool.  Plus, he doesn't know English, so my Samoan is getting top bones.

Yeah, but this week was tight.  Our baptisms were way good.  I got to do the one for Tino, in Lepale.  Me, my comp and two other missionaries did a special muscial number--it was the sweetest.  Tino is the man.  He already wants to serve a mission.  Him and his brother, Tavita, who is also a recent convert, are going to start attending mission prep and are stoked for missions.  And their little sister, Selina, who is 16, said she wants to serve a mission too.  Their family is freakin' tight.  

The baptisms for Faani, Too and Eti in Leauva'a were also way cool.  It's been a true blessing to serve in this area.

Oh yeah, at one of our meal appointments this week, the family gave us coffee to drink.  Haha, my comp drank it first and realized what it was and he was like, "It's coffee dude!"  These guys really pranked us good.  I guess that's what happens when your area is full of weak members.  Nah, but it was funny.

Also, last night we said goodbye to our family that we've been working with--Falaniko, Lipoi, Aukusitiao, Tavita, Selina, Tagilima and Amelia.  It's been a blessing to me to be able to work with this family.  They've been prepared by the Lord for this great work and it's been awesome to see these people converted to the gospel.  These are some of the most humble, kind and loving people I have ever met.  Saying goodbye to this family was one of the hardest things I've had to do on my mission.  I've been really blessed to be a part of this great work.

The time really is so short.  I'm just trying my hardest to make the best of it and be the best missionary I can be.  I don't know what's in store for me and Faitau in Lotofaga, but I'm sure it will be sweet too.

Anyways, I'll leave you dudes with a sweet quote and perhaps some satisfaction to Dad because I am finally converted to his dislike of behaviorism:

"When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed...The Lord works from the inside out.  The world works from the outside in.  The world would take people out of the slums.  Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums.  The world would mould them by changing their environment.  Christ changes men, who then change their environment.  The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature...Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world."  
--President Ezra Taft Benson

Get on your horse and ride,
Elder Johansen

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