You know, I now see some of this in me back in Freo [Fremantle?]. I just kept things inside all the time and never really expressed any feelings out to my companion. And I remember when I exploded pretty good, but was able to turn it into a joke of it — having lots of fun type thing. And just not getting things out into the open destroys a relationship. I’m sure that goes for marriage also. So, remember that great lesson learned by me.
There’s this great lady in Akui/Stubbs area that we should be baptizing soon. She’s so choice it’s incredible. Her husband is giving lots of pressure against her though. We’ll have to work real hard at it. If you think your life is going really easy, make sure you’re not headed downhill. With every baptism there is heaps of opposition to work against. It’s hard, but if it wasn’t, then how would we grow and learn and improve?
Well, Elder Stubbs is getting transferred tomorrow. I’ll sure miss that guy — he’s so cool. He reckons he’ll come to SALT LAKE. He’d better visit me there.
Missions are great. They’re hard, but once you get the hang of it, you can really start to soar like an eagle. You learn something new each day. You’re humbled all the time, plus, you mature heaps all the time. Go on a mission — it’s great.
My mission is really starting to go better; I’m having a real good time. I’m not going downhill by any means. Working hard does wonders for you — it really helps. I sure do hope that I’ll continue to grow and learn and improve myself as my mission goes along. I think the longer you’re out here, the more chances you get to mature. I’m sure growing up a lot. It’s great!
Mothers Day is soon. Mom, I LOVE YOU. You’ve done so much for me. I could never repay you — doesn’t mean I won’t try.
Thursday, 25 May 1989:
Well, heaps of things have happened since I last wrote.
I don’t have any time to write now, so I’ll just say a few things.
A surprise came up.
I got transferred.
Well, me and Elder Niania got transferred together to Morly.
He is now the district leader and I’m his junior.
It should prove to be good.
I’m really looking forward to the next few months.
THE DAY OF TRANSFERS
The sisters went by the Southgate family’s house and met the father and had a great time.
And even our zone leaders met him.
It was really good.
So with that they should be getting baptized real soon.
I LOVE TO BE ON A MISSION
It’s great.
You know, I learn something new each day.
I just wish that I could put it all into works.
And then maybe I’ll get somewhere.
ELDER FLICKENGER is so cool. We are going to go over to the members and get some copies of some video tapes he’s done: Twelve DEAD SEA SCROLLS tapes. MAN, I LOVE ALL HIS WORK that he does. I can’t wait.
Yesterday we did all the work we could think of before 7:00 o’clock, so we organized the area journal — it’s pretty organized now. It’s great.
I sure wish that they would tell Elder Niania what he is supposed to do as a district leader, so we could just get on with it. It’s great being tired when you know that you’re tired in the Lord instead of just yourself.
Well, a lot has happened. I started to get into things and I’m starting to understand more about what’s going on here in the mission field. And well, I’m certainly changing and I’m becoming a different person. I’m always trying to get to know myself and I want to be the best I can be, but sometimes it’s so hard. But, that’s what makes the difference between celestial and telestial: you have to be your best and never give up. The Lord will not exalt someone who is not worthy of it. That’s all for now.
In the past few weeks I’ve grown heaps. I keep learning so much each day; it’s great. My mission has been a learning experience every day. But, you know, I love to have trials, because they make me grow and I want to be the best I can. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to the best, but, boy, will I try! Life is great. I’m so grateful for the blessings I have, especially my mission. It’s great. I love my family. They have been great. They loved me even when I didn’t deserve it. Sometimes I can be an idiot. But, the good part is, you can always change and do something better. It’s great. A mission is hard. But nothing can beat it if you want to go from boy to man. I love my mission and never want it taken away from me. It will be a sad day when it’s time to go home again. I’ve already forgot what it was like back home. Anyhow, it’s great now. I’ll never stand still, and if I do I’ll kick myself and start moving again, but in the right way.
You know, in the next few months all the leaders will be gone home and I’ll be one of the last ones left of course. There’re others out there, but I can’t see them and where. I guess I better get to know them.
I need to get back to the basics and learn how to be a missionary again. Well, of course, I am a missionary, but I need to get back to the basics.
Today was exciting. These last few months I’ve been having a real hard time waking up in the morning. Today was no exception. I just couldn’t wake up. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Plus, to add to that, the assistants came by while I was shaving and Niania was still in bed. Oh, was that funny! And Niania says, “I’m worried!” which in his language means he’s not worried. Then me and Elder Dilley went out and spent the whole day together. It was really good. It was raining today so we decided to walk and when we got back tonitght, man, were we tired! We both thought that is how tired we should be after each day, but I don’t know if I could handle it. But, of course, the highlight of the day has to be when me and Elder Dilley met a born-again and he tried to show we were wrong. He had no clue, but the only thing is I really couldn’t open the scriptures to him and show him. But, oh well, he even said a prayer for us to have God help us find the truth about Him and how He is a trinity, etc. Boy, what a strength to the good old testimony! But still even more exciting was the really ugly girl who we did a survey with. She told us she was a guy who had a operation to help him look like a girl. Oh, man, it was gross. Elder Dilley’s stomach turned and he almost threw up then and there. Oh, man, that was the wierdest! [drawing of a tongue hanging out] blah…