Week Twelve

Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 1:49 PM

Hey Mom!!

Wow it sounds like the ward is definitely changing, but Elder Risenmay is exactly right. The temple is the best way to help those who are struggling with activity to be reactivated. We are so lucky in the States to have a temple so close. Down here it takes so much for families to go to the temple it is a monumental event the first time they go. I want to go as frequently as possible once im back.

How are you doing? hows the p90x? Still going strong I bet. You are such an inspiration for me to be dedicated and to work hard all the time. The work here is going well but our teaching pool is pretty shallow. We had some other Elders work with us a couple days this week because there was a leadership conference at the mission home and the district and zone leaders from teh other countries and islands came up to the Curepe area. So we had 3 elders with us on Tuesday and 4 on Friday. We had to work the whole day with them and it was crazy. I worked with an elder that goes home the same time as Eric, and it really helped for me to understand what my purpose is and how I can be a better missionary. I can feel my desires and my testimony changing and developing every day it seems like.

I love this gospel and it never ceases to amaze me how the Lord puts people in our path to help us to change and to realize our purpose. We met with a less active named Arnold. He's 23 and wants to go on a mission but doesn't know what he needs to do to come back to church. It feels so much like my situation its crazy. I had said when i first started preparing to go on my mission that I wanted to help people who were in my similar circumstance to keep from making the same mistakes that I made, and this feels like that opportunity. we had one investigator at church who is on date to be baptized this Saturday! She's ready, but we're not 100% sure if that will be the day. I'll keep you as updated as I can haha.

It rained buckets this week. So much yesterday that the building we rent to have church in was getting sprayed inside by water because the gutters were overfilling with water. When it rains here it never drizzles, it POURS. Its crazy but cool though.

Are you ready for Eric to be back? you must be counting the days. I am so proud of him, I brag to the other missionaries all the time about him and how awesome he is. I'm glad that he marked the path for me, and that I made the decision to follow. He is a prime example of how missions change lives, and I hope to be as well. Mom I miss and love you so much, keep doing what youre doing and know that I am doing my best to change lives here in Curepe. Love You!!

Nick

Hey Dad!!

YOU FOUND MY GLOVE!! HOLY COW!!! I JUST ABOUT FELL OVER!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!  haha but on a more serious note I am so glad you are staying busy!

How are you doing? Not too overtired are you? I hope not. I'm glad Eric is getting home so soon so he can help you !! We are so blessed as a family, and if it weren't for this gospel I dont know where we would be. It is so amazing to see how different the people are back home and here, but the gospel is the common ground and the blessings we see (while they may not be exactly the same) can all be traced back to the Gospel and the Atonement of our Savior.

We had a busy week this week at the beginning, but we loaded up our days Tuesday and Friday because of a leadership conference on Trinidad bringing the Elders serving in leadership positions from off island to our area, and the other days were kind of thin. I forgot to tell mom, on Wednesday we were in a Maxi and a car tried passing us and drilled us because he cut in too early. No damage to us really but we were the only ones willing to stay as witnesses so we had to go to the Police Station (which is a joke, the police do nothing here) and write a statement for the maxi driver because it wasn't his fault at all. I'm fine, so don't worry. 

It rained buckets this week. So much yesterday that the building we rent to have church in was getting sprayed inside by water because the gutters were overfilling with water. When it rains here it never drizzles, it POURS. its crazy but cool though. We have an investigator who should be getting baptized this coming week! I'll keep you posted! Thank you for the prayers, they are definitely felt. I learned a lot from the missionaries that stayed this week, especially about my purpose and how much of a difference a good attitude and hard work makes. You've always told me that, and its silly that it took all the way to now for me to have a good understanding of it. We need to find more investigators this week, and I'm going to work my tail off and rely on the Lord to help me do my part. Elder Whitlock is a great missionary, he is powerful in his teaching but still allows me to be a big part of the lessons. I am working my best to be a help to him so that he is confident turning the lesson over to me at any point. I love you so much dad, and if there is anything I can do let me know!!!!