6-23-13

June 23, 2013

"Elder Johansen is TERRIFIC".  Some wise words spoken from a wise man.  I think the mission sent you guys a copy of my big debut that came in the news.  That was a direct quote from a doctor which then was posted all over the news.  Terrific indeed my medicine minded friend, terrific indeed.  

This week I had a dream that Bate and Cleo got married.  Theo was jealous.

We've been ballin' it up this week like Vince LaSalle, captain of all the teams.  I schooled my companion and this less active guy from California in 21 like three times and then destroyed them in Horse as well.  Every p-day we play ball with this less-active dude named Faivule.  He has started to come back to church though, so I'm stoked.  

This week we dunked Siafausa--he's good.  He was stoked as a bean.  The baptism went good.  My boy, Gasio, did the baptism and it was way good.  We were supposed to baptize our other investigator, Sita, at the same time as Siafausa.  But when we were teaching her the 3rd lesson, this angry chief guy from their family came and banned us from doing any more lessons and called off the baptism.  It was the worst.  Sita was so sad.  

I'm glad I don't serve overseas in another mission cause stuff like this doesn't happen too often in Samoa.  I think if I served in the states, I wouldn't know what to do.  The chief guy was rather rude, which was very disconcerting because everyone is always very nice and respectful to the missionaries.  Yeah, so we just left.  It was sad though.  Sita's parents were all sad too cause they want their kids to be baptized.  Samoa is hard cause they give a lot of power to the chiefs and they can pretty much do whatever they want.  We'll probably go talk to this dude though.  I'll let you know what goes down.

Also this week my porcelain crown broke.  We went to the dentist, but they don't have the equipment to replace it.  The dude said it's cool to just leave it how it is though until I get home and then get a new one.  I think if I have any cavities I'm going to get them fixed now cause they have a mission dentist and it's free.

Also, I know the Pauga family, but not too well. We've dropped off mail at their house a few times for the missionaries that live there.  That's pretty much it though.

This upcoming week we are planning for 3 baptisms and 3 marriages.  So, hopefully, it all goes down.  Only one of the marriages are for sure.  The other two we're going to try and make something happen.

Our once inactive families are doing well.  Ulia goes to church every week with her kids.  They're still waiting til the village has their meeting to decide whether to kick them out of the village for going to the Mormon church.  They're staying strong though.

Moevanu and Sipara have also been going every week with their kids.  We're hoping to get them married this Saturday.  But I guess we'll see.  They're going to have their baby blessed at the beginning of next month, little Eric Lupe Tipasa.  Being a godfather is no easy task.

Fuipisia and his wife, Tiose, have now been back for two consecutive weeks after about 4 years of inactivity.  We're planning to baptize their 10 year old son, Fuipisia Jr. on this Saturday, June 29th.  

We're also planning our marriage and baptism for Babi for the same day.  We were trying to get it going for this past Saturday, but it didn't work out.  So we're really hoping for this weekend.  So I guess we'll see what happens.

Also, we picked up a new investigator this week, Ma'agaima.  I guess he has been going to church for a little while now.  We just never knew.  We started lessons and if he is ready, we're going to baptize him too this Saturday, June 29th.  But if not, for sure in the near future.  So that's good.  

So it's good.  We're being blessed like crazy with the work.  Sometimes we get weiched, but we just get back on the rails and throw a back wizz into lady walk and let the enemy know that we're smorking on the Lord's team.  And His blade crew is just as strong.  ONe day deacons will all be passing the sacrament on blades, mark my words.  Also, keep an eye out for the new 2013 publication of the church standard hymn book.  They added hymns #321 and 322--"A Blade With Me, Tis Even Tide" and "Ye Bladers of Israel."  I guess the prophet is a huge Boyz N Bladez fan and was able to pull some strings.

Hags,

Elder Eric "Racoon Family" Johansen

PS:  If you can find any information about my buddy Cody Touse that passed away, I'd really appreciate it.  I haven't really heard anything about it--only that he died.  So that would be great if you sent me any articles or anything you find.  Thanks.