Friday was my 1 year click day! You only get one of those on a mission!

Malolelei famili, (tongan)

How are ya?! Thanks for the email. To answer these questions, umm no haven't made those brownies this week yet, but we will. Yeahh tyre is spelled like that here. Yes, I still remember where I was and what I was doing on that September day 10 years ago. In church one of the speakers mentioned it just briefly, but other than that, it wasn't really a topic of discussion. Sorry about the power outage, shame. Of course we missionaries have the Ensign and Liahona! I read out of them every morning when I eat my bowl of cereal. I've very familiar with the talks and stuff.

GO AGGIES, and Blotz!

You're not going to believe this...we got a DVD PLAYER in our boarding! Good thing the rental store is near our boarding, we're all caught up on the newest movies that have come out! man! There are some good ones that I've missed! hahaha just kidding! I'm not kidding about having a portable DVD player now. The zone leaders gave us the list of rules and stuff about them. Its for training purposes only, and we cant take it from the boarding and stuff. We got the District 1 & 2 and we've watched a lot of it so far! Man, those people are from San Diego, and I love/hate when they show pictures of downtown SD or of the temple! ahhh! home! haha. It actually is really good to watch and learn from those missionaries. I've perfected my teaching skills and technique from watching them and look forward to learning even more.

This week I decided to make Elder Wolfgramm senior companion for a day! He was up for the challenge, and I think that he did a good job. I just kinda sat back and he did not most, but some of the talking. he needs to really buckle down and learn/improve cuz sometimes he gets stuck in lesson and isn't sure what to say, and still never uses the scriptures when he teaches. Shame he's never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover before. but he better do something cuz he wont be a greenie forever and just look over at me and have me save him haha but I did give him some advice about how he could get more/the most out of his studies and he took my advice to heart and ever since then his studies have been more meaningful and spiritual. As for my studies, I'm still chuggin' through the Book of Mormon again and today I finished reading Our Heritage...loved it! Such great faith and sacrifice from those early saints. it truly is inspiring. Now, I've decided I'm going to start reading the Old Testament, probably not the entire thing, but at least Genesis and some of Exodus, and then just go from there.

This week we did 3 days of hardcore service! Man, it took a tole on me. I was tried a lot during the week. I think the service had something to do with it, but also the responsibility and duty of being a district leader trainer senior companion can take its tole on a person. the fact that our appointments were dropping like flies, left and right probably didn't help out either. I look over when that happens to Elder Wolfgramm to get some counsel or suggestions about what we should do, and he just never has any good ideas (no offense) haha. and another thing I've noticed/realized...I'm always fetching hungry! like right now! I just plow through food during the week, and then by the end of the week, I'm outta food! haha dang. too much walking.

My second district meeting on Friday went pretty well! It started 25 minutes late, which wasn't good. those other elders left to pick us up at 10:20 when district meeting was supposed to start at 10:30 and it takes about 20 minutes to get to Mdantsane! I lovingly rebuked them and next week they're gonna be on-time! or else haha jk. I kinda had to cut some things out of district meeting because of time, but overall I think it went really well. I prepared well and thought it turned out nicely. Now I'm already thinking about what to teach in the next district meeting.

Sunday was stake conference! It was held in town, but we just watched it in the NU13 chapel with all of the wards in Mdantsane. Basically I knew 2/3 of the people that were there! Everyone in the 2nd ward obviously, but also everyone in the 1st ward where I served with Elder McDonald and Elder Barlow. It was SOO nice to see my friends and recent converts from the 1st ward! I saw mamma Pam, and Chris, who I baptized! They were happy to see me, and I was overjoyed to see them! I saw lots of other people too. I kinda felt like a rock-star / celebrity cuz everyone was coming up to me to say hi and stuff! I felt special.

One thing that I am really really looking forward to is ZONE CONFERENCE this week! President Wood and his wife will obviously be there, but so will President Dale G. Renlund and his wife, the President of the South East Africa Area! He's a general authority! He gave an awesome talk in October 2009 about the mighty change of the heart. dude, he's coming! and before the conference, he meets with the leadership in the mission in that area...and since im a district leader, I get to be in that pre-meeting with them! All the district leaders, zone leaders, assistants to the presidents, mission president and then President Renlund! I'm excited. Gonna get some revelation on that day!

1 YEAR on mission...all of my planners

Yes, Friday was my 1 year click day! You only get one of those on a mission! It's crazy to think that I've been in South Africa (more specifically East London) for an entire year now! I cant even fathom it. I did have a nice click day though. That night we went over to Bishop's house and had a delicious DA! Man, there was too much food! haha. I ate too much, but it kinda felt good cuz most nights we go to bed and we're still a little bit hungry haha. We loved hanging out with bishop and his wife and small kids.

I saw something crazy yesterday. We were walking by some shacks, when I looked over and beheld this kid, squatting down doing the #2 business haha for the world to see! TIA

I've taken some time to kinda reflect over and think about my year of service here in Africa. I peeked at some of the goals that I have set for myself at the beginning of my mission and saw how I was doing on them. I've learned/experienced more than I ever imagined so far, and am super anxious and excited to see what this next year has in store for me. I am proud to be able to say that I have no regrets so far and that I have done the very best that I could in each of my areas and left them better than they were when I got there. I hope I have changed some peoples life, not only here, but in the eternities. I've been blessed to have been able to harvest and baptize some amazing people and hopefully have left a legacy of love in each of my areas!

Scriptures are, as follows:

Alma 13:24
For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

and

D&C 80:4
Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true.

A talk, lesson, or an email doesn't need to be endless to be edifying! :)
Ofa lahi atu (I love you a lot in Tongan)

Elder Haws